Andrew Fantucchio
Elmont, NY– It had been rumored that New York Islanders majority owner Scott Malkin was looking to sell a 10% stake in the team to a mystery buyer.
On Tuesday, the Islanders confirmed that the mystery buyer is Oliver Haarmaan, a German businessman and a founding partner in Searchlight Capital.
Sportico reported back in December that Haarman was in talks to buy a stake in the Islanders.
Haarman is now the second investor to take up a minority stake in the Islanders this year. In June, former NHL chief operating officer John Collins became part of the Islanders’ ownership group as an alternate governor and is in charge of the team’s business operations.
Collins’ involvement in the team is believed to be a large reason why the Islanders will be taking part in the 2024 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series this weekend. While working for the NHL, Collins was a pivotal figure in the creation of the Winter Classic, which has grown into the league’s annual marquee event of the regular season, and since
With Haarmaan now confirmed to be a minority owner, the Islander’s ownership group now consists of six members. Malkin, co-owner Jon Ledecky, Haarman, minority owner Dewey Shay, Collins, team president and general manager Lou Lamoriello and alternate governor Art McCarthy.
In an evaluation by Forbes in December of 2023, the Islanders are estimated to be worth a total of $1.55 billion, which ranks 10th among the NHL’s 32 franchises.
