Bruce Ratner’s company wins Nassau Coliseum renovation bid, beating out MSG’s offer

With the Coliseum's main tenant, the New York Islanders, moving to the Barclays Center in a few years, the Ratner renovation plan will allow for an American Hockey League team to make the Coliseum its new home, in addition to having the Nets and Islanders play there a few times per season as well

Even before the NBA season starts, the Nets have already beaten the Knicks at something: Winning the bid for the renovation of Long Island's Nassau Coliseum.

Defeating the Madison Square Garden Company in a long and drawn-out bidding war, Nets co-owner Bruce Ratner's Forest City Ratner company now has the exclusive right to re-develop the New York Islanders' soon-to-be-old stomping ground to make the historical space more amenable to concerts, a variety of sporting events, and other family-friendly options.

Although the renovation is by no means immediately starting, the possibility of a hastened Islander exit from Long Island could mean a sooner beginning to the massive construction project. Regardless, the news is great for the Nets and for the Island as well, as it means that the Islanders will still play a few games a year in Uniondale, the Nets will make a couple of visits, a minor league hockey (AHL) will make it its home, and that the Nets' D-League affiliate (currently based in Springfield, MA) could realistically relocate there in the near-future.