• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

Citi Field Needs Better Surroundings. The Mets Owner Wants A Casino

  • Team owner looks to transform oft-criticized stadium neighborhood
  • State legislators have approved up to three downstate casino licenses
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen has made it clear he wants to transform the oft-criticized Queens neighborhood adjacent to Citi Field — and he thinks building a casino is the way to do it.

For years, the area has been dominated by a glut of auto repair shops, and Cohen envisions a casino as the center of a mixed-use development drawing fans before and after Mets games, similar to many other sports facility projects around the country.

“There’s nothing going on. The only thing you can do at Citi Field is get your hubcap changed or maybe get back a catalytic converter,” Cohen said at a Sportico conference. “The way I would describe it is 50 acres of cement.”

There is some additional development coming to the area with NYCFC’s separate plans to develop a $780 million soccer-specific stadium adjacent to Citi Field. But Cohen sees a potential opportunity in landing one of the maximum three casino licenses approved by legislators earlier this year for downstate New York.

“I have tons of ideas I want to implement,” he said. “You can’t spend an unlimited amount of money, so you’ve got to budget. And also, dealing with the underinvestment that I had to deal with coming in, I call it the money pit.”

Several other MLB teams have physical sportsbooks in or near their ballparks, including the Mets themselves at Citi Field. But a casino would be new for a major league ballpark setting.

Cohen’s expenditures also extend to the Mets’ record-setting payroll, which reached $344 million before a series of trade deadline moves amid a highly disappointing 75-87 season. The owner later apologized for the poor performance in an open letter to fans and pledged a “sustainable” future for the club.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman (55) is safe at third base after the play is reviewed against Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (13) in the twelfth inning during game three of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.

18-Inning World Series Game 3 Draws 17.6M Viewers in U.S. and Canada

Canadian viewership of the World Series remains solid despite an 18-inning Game 3.

World Series Games 1–2 TV Ratings Are Up With U.S., Canada Combined

U.S. viewership is expectedly down, but it is boosted significantly by Canada.

Shohei Ohtani’s Historic World Series Game 3 Sets Up High-Stakes Game 4

Ohtani will start Game 4 on the mound after another epic performance Monday.
Oct 26, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; The 2025 World Series logo on the field at Dodger Stadium.

Dodger Stadium Games Could Push MLB Payouts to Record Highs

The Dodgers’ big ballpark and ticket prices help fuel postseason player pay.

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
Oct 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Mark Walter looks on in the eighth inning between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers during game five of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.

NBA Approves Mark Walter As New Lakers Owner

Walter has turned the Dodgers into a powerhouse.
October 27, 2025

Dodgers Depth, Blue Jays Glue Guys Are Defining the World Series

Yamamoto, Smith, and Glasnow are playing key roles for MLB’s top spenders.
Oct 23, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (92) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Enterprise Center
October 29, 2025

Cooley Signing Adds to Utah’s Pursuit of Early NHL Success

In its second season, Utah is committed to winning as fast as possible.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

TNT Sports is going all-in on college athletics—bringing fans closer and giving brands a powerful new way to connect.
October 26, 2025

Blue Jays’ World Series Run Is Just Part of Rogers’ Big Sports..

Buying more MLSE equity and a recapitalization of sports assets are planned.
Fred Warner
October 25, 2025

Most of the 49ers’ Record Cap Number Isn’t on the Field

The 49ers are winning despite ranking 31st on spending on active players.
Oct 23, 2025; Toronto, ON, Canada; Signage in place on the dug out before game one of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
October 24, 2025

World Series Viewership Will Be Different This Year

The Canadian presence in the World Series creates a unique viewership situation.
Tom Dundon
exclusive
October 22, 2025

Sale of Trail Blazers to Tom Dundon Will Take Multiple Years to..

Dundon is buying the team at a $4.25 billion valuation.