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NY Islanders minority owner revealed to have deep Long Island roots

ByJiggs Westfall
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Nov 21, 2021; Elmont, New York, USA; Fans line up outside of UBS Arena before the game between New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2021; Elmont, New York, USA; Fans line up outside of UBS Arena before the game between New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports

One of the newest minority owners of the New York Islanders has been revealed, and he already has strong ties to Long Island and professional hockey.

Nick Leopard, founder and CEO of the financial consulting firm Accordion, is among the lead investors in a group that collectively acquired approximately 15% of the Islanders at a reported $3 billion franchise valuation, according to Sports Business Journal. Leopard is a longtime Long Island resident whose investment, along with that of Lateralus Holdings founder David Shuman, has been approved by the NHL. Several other investors involved in the transaction have not been identified.

Leopard founded Accordion in 2009, building the company primarily around consulting for the private equity industry. The firm now has more than 1,700 employees, including approximately 1,000 focused on data and artificial intelligence. Leopard also has experience in professional hockey after becoming a co-owner of the Federal Prospects Hockey League's Binghamton Black Bears in 2023. The organization has since won three consecutive league championships.

"Long Island is my home, the Islanders are part of the fabric of this community, and I'm excited to help build what comes next," Leopard said in a written statement to Sports Business Journal. He added that his experience with the Black Bears gave him "a real taste for the business of hockey" and said he plans to be involved with the Islanders "for a very long time."

Leopard is expected to remain a passive investor and the transaction will not change control of the Islanders. His business background, however, could provide another resource for the organization. Leopard is expected to offer guidance on potential uses of artificial intelligence across business operations, including pricing, concessions, operational efficiency and the fan experience.

For an ownership group adding outside investors, Leopard brings something particularly familiar.

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