Nick Leopard of Cold Spring Harbor among new group of investors to purchase ownership stake in Islanders
Nick Leopard attends the Zero Gravity Hamptons Kick Off Reception at Sebonac Golf Club on July 1, 2021 in Southampton. Credit: Getty Images for Zero Gravity
Cold Spring Harbor’s Nick Leopard is among the new group of investors to purchase 15% of the Islanders at a $3 billion valuation.
Leopard, the founder and CEO of Accordion, a financial consulting firm rooted in artificial intelligence, data and technology, confirmed he will be part of the ownership group in a statement to Newsday.
"Whether it's the Binghamton Black Bears minor league team I've been fortunate to own, or the firm I founded 17 years ago, Accordion, I've spent my career building winning organizations,” he said. “The Black Bears gave me a real taste for the business of hockey, and I discovered that building a great organization off the ice can be almost as exciting as competing on it. That's a big part of why I'm so excited to be part of the Islanders ownership group.
“Long Island is my home, the Islanders are part of the fabric of this community, and I can't wait to contribute however I can, big or small, bringing the relationships, partnerships and business-building experience I've developed over my career to an organization that's already so special."
The Islanders declined to comment on Leopard, 46, joining the ownership group. Sports Business Journal first reported Leopard's involvement on Wednesday.
Leopard is listed as a co-owner of the Binghamton Black Bears of the Federal Prospects Hockey League, an independent minor league. Binghamton has won three consecutive FPHL titles.
Sportico reported Monday that the Islanders reached an agreement to sell roughly 15% of the franchise to “a handful of investors” based on a $3 billion valuation. It also reported that one of the investors would own up to 10% of the team.
A person familiar with the matter told Newsday that Leopard was among the lead investors of the new group. The person added that Leopard is expected to have a passive role with the Islanders but will provide guidance on how they can utilize AI.
The Islanders announced on Aug. 31 that David Shuman, founder of Lateralus Holdings, agreed to acquire a minority stake in the team as a sixth investor and the team’s day-to-day operations would not change.
On June 22, 2016, a group led by Islanders principal owner Scott Malkin and including co-owners Jon Ledecky and Dewey Shay was approved to assume an 85% share in the franchise from the late Charles Wang. The group initially agreed to a $485 million purchase in 2014.
Malkin’s group – which now includes former NHL executive John Collins and financier Oliver Haarmann, who both joined in 2023 – bought the remaining 15% from Wang’s estate in 2020.
Newsday’s Andrew Gross contributed to this story.
Ben Dickson is Newsday Sports' general assignment reporter. He joined Newsday’s high school sports staff in 2023 after graduating from Maryland, where he covered several of the Terrapins' teams.
More Islanders
