Citi Field arena for Isles? Just talk, says Wilpon

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. - Mets owner Fred Wilpon hasn't ruled out the possibility of an Islanders arena next door to Citi Field, but that decision rests with team owner Charles Wang - not him.

"That's just talk," Wilpon said Thursday when asked about the likelihood that the Islanders will move to Queens.

In May, Wilpon's son Jeff, the Mets' chief operating officer, told Newsday he had spoken to Wang about trying to develop something "synergistic with Citi Field and a hockey arena." The younger Wilpon also told Newsday it was possible he could buy the Islanders.

However, his father, who helped announce a new partnership between SNY and UConn's athletics program at a news conference, wasn't as forthcoming.

"That's up to the owner and what he wants to do," Fred Wilpon said. "He's trying to get a new arena and, you know, we need a new arena on Long Island. No question. I don't rule out anything. It's not up to me to make that decision. It's the owner of the team to make that decision and what he wants to do."

The Islanders have been trying to get the Town of Hempstead to approve the Lighthouse Project, which includes a new arena to replace Nassau Coliseum. Wang has become frustrated by the lack of action on his proposal and said last fall that he would explore all options, including relocation.

Citi Field is located about 20 miles from where the Islanders play home games at Nassau Coliseum.