New York Governor Blasts Gary Bettman Over Controversial Game Snub

Next season, it will reportedly involve a 2026 Olympic Games kick-off style event, and while we don't quite yet know what that involves, it's safe to say that the New York Islanders who were set to host the event are not happy.

That disappointment extends beyond the organization too, as New York Governor Kathy Hochul has blasted Gary Bettman and the NHL with a letter expressing her disappointment, with the statement adding this:

'Through a public-private partnership with New York Arena Partners, New York State invested more than $100 million to build the first new LIRR station in nearly 50 years, supporting UBS Arena as a world-class venue. We made this investment not only for the local community and the New York Islanders, but in support of the league itself.

The cancellation of the 2026 All-Star Weekend, an event expected to bring million in economic activity to the region, is deeply disappointing. While we understand the significance of the Winter Olympics, the conflict was foreseeable and could have been addressed through early coordination.'

It's not hard to see why the Islanders and the state of New York are upset with the division, as hosting events like this is a key part of getting a new arena built, and with the league abruptly cancelling what should be a high profile event, there's plenty of disappointment.

At this point, it's unclear whether or not the league could look to go back on this decision and change it up, or whether or not they believe the kick-off event is good enough for New York, but as of right now, this isn't the end of the story.