Former NHL chief operating officer John Collins has made a significant investment in the New York Islanders and will take on the role of operating partner, as stated in an internal email sent by owner Scott Malkin on Thursday. According to the email obtained by Sportico, Collins will be responsible for overseeing the team's business operations, while Jon Ledecky, Malkin's partner, will continue to lead the team's community initiatives.
The exact amount of Collins' investment and the size of his stake in the team remain undisclosed. However, the Islanders are currently valued at $920 million, making them the 13th most valuable team in the NHL, according to Sportico's annual valuations. Notably, the team recently inaugurated the state-of-the-art UBS Arena, a $1.1 billion project developed in collaboration with Oak View Group. Additionally, the Islanders, along with Oak View Group and former Mets owner Jeff Wilpon, are involved in a $1.3 billion redevelopment undertaking at Belmont Park.
Collins brings extensive expertise to his new position, having worked with various teams, leagues, and affiliated companies throughout his career. He played a pivotal role in the development of the NHL's Winter Classic and Stadium Series games, which serve as marquee marketing events held in outdoor venues. Before joining the NHL, Collins held marketing executive positions at the NFL and served as the CEO and president of the Cleveland Browns. Following his tenure at the NHL, he successfully led On Location Experiences, an NFL-backed hospitality company, until its acquisition for $660 million by Endeavor. Currently, Collins is an investor and director at Super Group, a prominent gambling operator.
