USTA claims Adams administration violating lease terms to benefit Mets owner Steve Cohen’s casino plans
Legal Challenge to Metropolitan Park Casino
The United States Tennis Association has filed a lawsuit against New York City, accusing the Eric Adams administration of violating the terms of its long-term lease on the National Tennis Center to facilitate Mets owner Steve Cohen’s plans for a nearby casino in Queens. The USTA, which operates the US Open at its facilities in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, contends that the city’s proposed arrangement with Cohen’s Metropolitan Park casino and resort would breach the “superiority clause” in the USTA’s lease agreement with the city. This legal action comes as the state prepares to award up to three downstate casino licenses by the end of the year, with Metropolitan Park being one of the largest and most lucrative proposals under consideration.
Lease Rights and Development Concerns
According to the lawsuit, the USTA has privately raised concerns with City Hall for months while the Adams administration has refused to share draft agreements or provide assurances that the superiority clause will be honored. The superiority clause in the USTA’s lease is designed to ensure that the tennis center maintains its premier status in the area and that any nearby developments do not negatively impact operations or the fan experience. The USTA’s National Tennis Center, which includes the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, has been a fixture in Flushing Meadows since 1978 and operates under a long-term lease with the city. Metropolitan Park, proposed for a Citi Field parking lot, represents a $1.75 billion investment and is projected to be the most lucrative of the three casino proposals currently in contention. The project is backed by Steve Cohen through a venture called Queens Future. According to a spokesperson for Metropolitan Park, the casino “was designed to embrace the existing sports attractions at Citi Field, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and the forthcoming NYCFC soccer stadium, to create a premier sports and entertainment district in the heart of Queens.”
Political Timeline and Relief Sought
The lawsuit alleges that the Adams administration is racing to finalize a deal before the mayor leaves office at the end of the year, potentially leaving the next mayoral administration to deal with the consequences. According to the THE CITY reporting, the city has indicated its intention to ignore the USTA’s concerns until after the current administration concludes. The USTA is not seeking monetary damages, which it argues would be an “inadequate remedy” since Queens Future may not be contractually obligated to comply with the tennis center’s lease rights, and the city may lack enforcement capability. Instead, the organization is seeking injunctive relief to prevent the city from executing any agreement that violates its lease terms. The casino licensing process has been highly competitive, with proposals spending millions on lobbying efforts. According to city records, the two organizations working for the Citi Field casino–Queens Future and New Green Willets–spent $1.8 million in 2024 working with 14 different lobbying firms, the highest amount among all casino applicants. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and other regional agencies are also involved in infrastructure planning that would support the massive development. As Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani prepares to take office in January 2026, this lawsuit will likely be among the significant legal and development challenges his administration inherits. The case highlights ongoing tensions between major sports and entertainment venues, real estate development interests, and municipal governance in one of the city’s most economically important areas.
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