NY Islanders make one more big move before the start of the 2025-26 season

Hours before the puck drops on the 2025-26 season, the New York Islanders have named Kelly Cheeseman as President of Business Operations and Alternate Governor, marking another major step in the organization’s ongoing new era on Long Island.

Cheeseman arrives with a deep résumé built through more than two decades with AEG Sports, where he held leadership roles across multiple franchises, including the Los Angeles Kings, LA Galaxy, and Eisbären Berlin of Germany’s top hockey league (DEL). During his tenure, Cheeseman helped guide business operations that touched every aspect of the fan and facility experience — from youth hockey development and venue management to sponsorships, media, and revenue growth.

In his new role, Cheeseman will oversee all revenue, fan-facing, and administrative operations for both the Islanders and UBS Arena, while collaborating with Oak View Group (OVG) to elevate Belmont Park’s growing sports and entertainment footprint.

“This is an exciting moment for our organization and, more generally, the Belmont Park campus,” operating partner John Collins said. “We have the unique opportunity to blend sports, entertainment, music, and fashion with unmatched hospitality in New York. Kelly’s experience in championship-winning organizations, as well as AEG’s vast sports, entertainment, and real estate business, makes him the right commercial leader for us right now.”

Cheeseman will officially begin his new role on November 1 and said he is eager to help lead the Islanders into their next chapter. “Joining the New York Islanders and UBS Arena is an extraordinary opportunity to help shape the next chapter in one of the NHL’s most passionate markets,” Cheeseman said. “I’m incredibly excited for what lies ahead for this team, this arena, and this community.”

He also expressed gratitude toward AEG leadership, including Luc Robitaille and Dan Beckerman, calling his time in Los Angeles “an incredible journey.”