Will Relocate From L.I. For 2015
The New York Islanders are moving to Brooklyn, with a new 25-year agreement to occupy the Barclays Center beginning in the 2015-16 season, Islanders owner Charles B. Wang and Barclays Center Majority Owner and Developer Bruce Ratner announced on Wednesday, Oct. 24.
The announcement was made at a press conference in the GEICO Atrium at Barclays Center, which was also attended by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, National Hockey League (NHL) Commissioner Gary Bettman, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Islanders General Manager Garth Snow and Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark.
In support of the illustrious history of the team, the New York Islanders name and logo will remain unchanged.
“It was our goal from day one to keep the Islanders in the local New York area.” Wang said in a statement on Wednesday. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to play in Barclays Center, a first-class arena. This has been a long journey for the Islanders family starting with our loyal fans, sponsors, and employees. I want to personally thank them for their patience, loyalty, and support. I am excited about today’s announcement and I am looking forward to a long and successful future in Brooklyn.”
“We are delighted to welcome the Islanders to Brooklyn and to bring NHL hockey to the borough for the first time,” Ratner added. “Eleven subway lines and the Long Island Rail Road come directly to Barclays Center at Atlantic Terminal, offering great accessibility for current and future Islander fans.”
“More than ever before, Brooklyn is the place where everyone wants to be,” Bloomberg stated. “Barclays Center has already brought an incredible amount of excitement to Brooklyn since opening last month. Now things will get even more interesting, with Brooklyn’s first-ever NHL franchise. Whether or not you’re a hockey fan, more events at Barclays Center will lead to more economic activity and more jobs, and that’s good news for all New Yorkers.”
“Today is another great day for Brooklyn,” Markowitz said. “When I first campaigned for borough president, I made the promise that I would bring a major-league sports team to Brooklyn. But never, in my wildest dreams, did I think we would be home to both the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Islanders. With the Nets and the Islanders, Brooklyn is beginning a dominant power-play.”
Barclays Center will hold 14,500 seats for Islander games, which would be the smallest arena in the league. Current Islander season ticket holders will have first rights to purchase season tickets in Brooklyn.
