Barclays Center takes step toward opting out of Islanders deal. Or maybe just a renegotiation.

Newsday reported two nights ago, Barclays Center starts process toward possible opt-out of Islanders, sources say:

The Barclays Center has taken the first preliminary step toward a potential opt-out of its 25-year deal with the Islanders, according to sources.
Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, which runs the Barclays Center and the renovated Nassau Coliseum, recently notified the Islanders in writing that the window to renegotiate the terms of the license agreement is open, as per the terms of the contract.

They have until the end of the year to renegotiate; then they can either opt out within a month or maintain the current terms, in which Barclays pays the Islanders a fee and handles the team's business arrangement. 

A decision by the arena to end the contract would mean a departure after the season ending in 2019, while a decision by the team could mean a departure either in 2018 or 2019.

Though it's been reported that the Islanders, with partners, will pursue a new hockey-centric arena at Belmont Park, near the Nassau-Queens line, and that Barclays Center operators would like the team to return to the renovated Nassau Coliseum, both those solutions have significant cons: the small size of the Coliseum and the limited business for suites, and the expense of building and paying off a new arena that will compete with existing arenas.

Yes, the Barclays Center has flawed sightlines and subpar ice for hockey. I don't necessarily think either will be fixed. But, given the availability of suites, and the local TV deal, I still think the most likely result is a renegotiated deal to stay at Barclay (terms flexible?).