Quick Fix: If You Build It, Will they Come?

Quick Fix: If You Build It, Will they Come?

From Isles Fix Podcast Network by Powered by Isles Fix, your only New York Islanders daily newsletter

December 18, 2025 · 1h 6m

About this episode

Joe Buono and Chris Botta discuss the challenges facing the New York Islanders in growing their fanbase and the insights from Kelly Cheeseman's recent comments.

It’s a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL). In this episode, Chris and Joe dig into the most revealing comments yet from Islanders president of business operations Kelly Cheeseman, following his recent interview with Newsday . Just weeks into the job, Cheeseman, who categorized himself as “a builder,” has already identified the core challenge facing the franchise off the ice: how to grow a fanbase that is aging, overly concentrated on Long Island, and increasingly sensitive to the full game-day cost of attending games at UBS Arena. The conversation goes beyond the usual “just win more” debate. Chris and Joe explore whether success on the ice is enough on its own, or if the Islanders are finally taking calculated risks to expand their visibility across Queens, Brooklyn, and younger demographics. From parking headaches and transportation access to ticket pricing and perceived value, they break down the real barriers preventing casual fans from becoming regulars—and what Cheeseman can realistically change in the short- and long-term. Get full access to Isles Fix at islesfix.substack.com/subscribe

People in this episode

Host: Joe Buono

Guest: Chris Botta

Topics covered

  • fanbase growth
  • hockey
  • New York Islanders
  • business operations
  • game-day costs
  • visibility expansion
  • casual fans

Keywords

  • New York Islanders
  • Kelly Cheeseman
  • fanbase
  • hockey
  • game-day costs
  • visibility
  • casual fans
  • Chris Botta
  • Joe Buono

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: New York Islanders, Newsday

Places: Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, UBS Arena

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