‘Bettor up’ as Mets, Yanks vie for casino
Owners of the Yankees and the Mets are competing in a new kind of Subway Series.
But this one isn’t over bragging rights — the winner could wind up with one of the city’s coveted casino licenses.
Legends, a firm partly owned and co-founded by the Bronx Bombers, is part of a consortium now proposing a casino in Coney Island, Brooklyn, along with developer Thor Equities, Saratoga Casino Holdings and the Native American Chickasaw Nation. The Yankees own about 25% of Legends, a source said. Another onequarter is owned by NFL Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
Legends’ other ventures include running the 1 World Trade Observatory, the Circle Line, the Intrepid Museum and Major League Baseball stores.
The Yanks’ interest in Brooklyn could raise eyebrows. Coney Island hosts the Mets’ minor league Brooklyn Cyclones team, and the borough was home of the fabled Brooklyn Dodgers before the team moved to Los Angeles in 1958.
Meanwhile, Mets billionaire owner Steve Cohen is also stepping up to the plate. He’s been angling to secure one of three downstate commercial licenses, which would enable him to build a gaming emporium next to the Mets’ Citi Field home in Queens. He believes a plan to open a 25,000-seat soccer stadium next door in Willets Point helps his cause, sources have told The Post.
Cohen has been in discussions with potential casino partners including Hard Rock and the Sands Hotel and Casino group.
The Yankees declined to comment, referring questions to the Legends Hospitality Group.
Legends president Bill Rhoda on Tuesday said “Legends is proud to work with Thor Equities and our gaming partners Saratoga Casino and The Chickasaw Nation to provide our operational and experiential expertise to bring the preeminent resort casino in New York to Coney Island.”
Meanwhile, billionaire mogul John Catsimatidis — who has developed rental apartments in Coney Island, said the area would be great for a casino, if the city and state can get crime under control.
“You need to make sure that Albany fixes the bail law and New York City is safer and make sure you take the violent repeat customers off the streets,” Catsimatidis said.