Starting in 2015, Brooklyn will be the home of two major sports franchises.
The Islanders are moving to Brooklyn after their lease at the Nassau Coliseum expires following the 2014-15 season. The former Long Island-based team has agreed to play at the Barclays Center for 25 years, starting in 2015 where they'll share a home with the new Brooklyn Nets.
Unlike the Nets, who were previously based in New Jersey, the Islanders will not change their name or logo and will remain the New York Islanders. Charles Wang will also retain ownership of the franchise despite the move.
The Barclays Center's capacity for hockey will only be 14,500, which would make it the smallest arena in the NHL. There are plans to add seating to increase the capacity to 15,000-plus. The Nassau Coliseum is considered one of the worst arenas in the NHL. It is the second oldest — built in 1972 — and the second smallest.
Ticket sales have also been down for the Islanders. Average attendance in the 2011-12 season was just 13,191, the second worst in the league. The Islanders finished last in the Atlantic division last season with 79 points and a 34-37-11 record.
The NHL lockout situation looks bleak right now, so hopefully we'll have hockey by the 2015-16 season.
