The NY Islanders have a jersey patch for the first time and it's not horrible

It was inevitable and it could've have been a lot worse.

The New York Islanders, like many NHL teams before them, released news the morning of their 2024-25 season opener that they would have a patch advertisement on their sweater for the first time in franchise history. The team and UBS Arena announced a multi-year partnership with Solo Stove, the creator of the world's best-selling smokeless fire pit.

The Isles are far from the first team to succumb to the realities of sports marketing and business, as jersey ads have become prominent across major sports in recent years, with the NBA and MLB patches on jerseys the last few years. Across the NHL, original six teams like the Boston Bruins (Rapid 7) and the Chicago Blackhawks (Circa Sports) have stitched on sponsorships. So, if it's good enough for those iconic franchises, it's good enough for the Islanders.

As part of the paid sponsorship will be the plaza outside UBS Arena will be named Solo Stove Plaza. The Texas-based company that specializes in smokeless fire pits and pizza ovens works with the outdoor gathering atmosphere that is The Park at UBS Arena.

“We are honored to welcome Solo Stove to the Islanders family,” said John Collins, Operating Partner. “Their passion for creating exceptional outdoor experiences aligns seamlessly with our commitment to providing our fans with unforgettable moments at UBS Arena and Belmont Park.”

The other, and perhaps most important thing for the fanbase, is that the colors work on the Islanders jersey and the flame logo is legit cool. We've seen other franchises in the major sports ink deals with sponsors that have colors that don't work at all with the team's color schemes. The Mets added a New York Presbyterian Hospital patch on their sleeve last season which was originally white and red before it was updated to match the team's colors, but others teams haven't made such updates.