The New York Islanders are a publicly held/privately held professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) based in Elmont, New York, on Long Island, United States. They play their home games at UBS Arena.
Founded in 1972, the franchise has had periods of major success and has evolved through multiple ownership transitions.
Ownership Status of the New York Islanders
There is no single individual private owner with 100 % control listed publicly. Instead, ownership of the Islanders is held by a group of co-owners via the corporate entity New York Islanders Hockey Club, L.P., and multiple partners within that group serve as co-owners, operating partners, governors, and alternate governors.
Major Shareholders / Co-Owners
The publicly reported co-owners include:
| Shareholder / Entity | Role / Notes |
|---|---|
| Scott D. Malkin | Co-owner & governor of the Islanders. He and Jon Ledecky led the acquisition. |
| Jon Ledecky | Co-owner & alternate governor. Involved in the purchase of the team. |
| John Collins | Co-owner, operating partner & alternate governor. |
| Oliver Haarmann | Co-owner according to team directory. |
| Dewey Shay | Co-owner according to team directory. |
Note: The exact ownership percentages of each individual are not publicly detailed in readily available sources, and shares may shift over time due to private transactions and internal structuring.
Key Shareholder Highlights
Here are some additional details about the principal shareholders:
- Scott Malkin and Jon Ledecky were the driving figures behind the team’s purchase from previous owner Charles Wang.
- John Collins joined more recently (in 2023) as part of the business operations side of the franchise.
- The presence of additional co-owners like Haarmann and Shay reflects a diversified ownership structure rather than a sole majority owner.
Recent Developments in Ownership
- In early 2021, Malkin and Ledecky reportedly purchased the remaining circa 15 % of the team from the estate of Charles Wang, consolidating their interest.
- Ownership commentary in April 2025 referenced “majority owner Scott Malkin” as evaluating the direction of the franchise.
- Because private sports franchise ownership often involves partnerships, operating agreements, and varying governance roles, ownership percentages and voting control can shift without full public disclosure.
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of the New York Islanders?
There is no single individual listed as a full owner. The franchise is owned by New York Islanders Hockey Club, L.P., with co-owners including Scott Malkin, Jon Ledecky, John Collins, Oliver Haarmann, and Dewey Shay.
2. Is the New York Islanders publicly traded or privately owned?
The team is privately owned (through a private partnership), not publicly traded on a stock exchange.
3. Who founded the New York Islanders?
The Islanders were founded in 1972, but the founding is attributed to the NHL awarding the franchise, rather than a single private founder.
4. Has the ownership changed recently?
Yes. The key change was the transition from Charles Wang to the Malkin/Ledecky group around 2014-2016. More recently, John Collins joined the ownership/operating structure around 2023. Ownership remains subject to internal adjustments and private transactions.