Despite the existence of an opt-out clause for both the Islanders and Barclays Center, there are "no indications that either side will opt out" of the 25-year lease agreement that began this season, according to sources cited by Baumbach & Harrington of NEWSDAY. Sources said that the Islanders "could leave Barclays Center at the conclusion of the fourth year." It is "not clear when the sides would have to make a decision about exercising the clause." The biggest obstacle the team would face if it wanted to opt out is that there "isn’t another arena available in the metropolitan area that is seeking" an NHL team. Meanwhile, Nassau Events Center’s contract with Nassau County "calls for the Islanders to play two exhibition games and four regular-season games annually at the renovated Coliseum." But NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said that there are "many factors that need to be addressed before the league can sign off on such an unorthodox home schedule." Bettman said that he has "been encouraged by the Islanders’ first season in Brooklyn despite the fact that the arena was not built for hockey." The Islanders finished 28th out of 30 teams in average attendance. Bettman said that he is "content with the Islanders’ attendance because it’s similar to what they drew at the Coliseum." The team's average attendance during their final 10 years at the Coliseum was 13,327 (NEWSDAY, 4/11). THE HOCKEY NEWS' Jared Clinton notes the Islanders' attendance for their first season in Barclays Center "dipped by nearly 2,000 per game" from the team's final season at Nassau Coliseum. There has "been longer travel for fans coming in from Long Island and there have been complaints about sight lines and obstructed views [at] the Islanders new home" (THEHOCKEYNEWS.com, 4/11).
