Report: Islanders To Introduce New Owners Next Wednesday

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Mystery men Jonathan Ledecky and Scott Malkin are about to meet Islanders nation.

According to several reports, the two new minority owners of the franchise, who have yet to comment publicly on the acquisition of the team, will be officially introduced next Wednesday during a press conference at Nassau Coliseum.

The sale to Ledecky, a former co-owner of both the Washington Capitals and NBA's Washington Wizards, and Malkin, an investor, was approved by the NHL Board of Governors last week, and reportedly finalized on Thursday. They will own a minority stake for two years before taking over full control from current owner Charles Wang. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said recently the new owners are expected to bring in other individuals with ownership experience.

On Tuesday, Bettman told WFAN's Mike Francesa the Islanders are lucky to have Ledecky and Malkin waiting in the wings.

"Charles' intention is to stay in as well, but as life moves on I think he wants the opportunity to focus on other things," Bettman said. "With Scott Malkin and John Ledecky, the franchise is getting two first-rate quality people who are enthused about hockey in New York and the Islanders in particular."

The Islanders have made the postseason just once in their last seven seasons and have not won a playoff series since 1993, but there's a tangible buzz about this season's team. An impressive offseason from general manager Garth Snow landed the club several quality upgrades, ratcheting up expectations and the pressure to produce.

The Islanders will leave Nassau County after this season and move into Brooklyn's Barclays Center. They open the 2014-15 slate on Friday night in Carolina and will also play the Hurricanes on Saturday night in their final opener at Nassau Coliseum, the only arena they have called home since joining the league in 1972.

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