Last month, New York City FC released the first renderings of the Willets Point stadium they intend to build in time for the 2027 MLS season. According to the club, the NYCFC stadium is moving ahead right on schedule.
The political reality is proving to be a good deal messier. Steve Cohen, the billionaire owner of the New York Mets – the (maybe?) future neighbors of NYCFC at Willets Point – is leveraging the proposed stadium to get approval to build a casino next to Citi Field. The deal Cohen wants to strike is simple: Either he gets his casino, or NYCFC won’t be able to use Citi’s parking lot on game days.
Those backroom negotiations became public yesterday when the New York Post reported that Cohen held a conference call with New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Councilman Francisco Moya, who represents the district. The conversation was “cordial yet spirited,” according to a mayoral spokesperson.
In other words, things got spicy as these power brokers sought to “hash out differences about the fate” of the NYCFC stadium.
If you think that sounds ominous, you’re right to be concerned.
