The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the prestigious venue for the US Open, is located in the vibrant borough of Queens, New York. This area, known for its diverse attractions, is not only home to tennis enthusiasts but also within close proximity to LaGuardia Airport and cultural sites like the New York Hall of Science and the Queens Zoo. Furthermore, Citi Field, the home of the New York Mets, is a short walk away, making this location a popular destination for tourists.
Recently, a new competition arose as NYC gears up to introduce several large casinos, with one proposed site mere minutes from the National Tennis Center. Steve Cohen, the owner of the Mets, has partnered with Hard Rock to establish a casino that would share the neighborhood with one of tennis’s most significant events. Unsurprisingly, this venture led to tensions between the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and city officials, particularly concerning the implications for the US Open.
In November, reports emerged detailing the USTA’s decision to sue the city over the casino project. Their concerns were primarily rooted in the potential disruptions the casino could cause during the prestigious tournament, mostly regarding access to parking facilities for both attendees and staff. The USTA noted that their priority was not to oppose the casino itself but to ensure that the tournament’s logistical needs were met, especially during its high-profile three-week run.
The USTA emphasized the importance of guaranteed access to certain parking lots during the event, arguing that significant events at the casino could lead to traffic and parking chaos if they coincided with the US Open. The organization was particularly concerned about the potential scheduling of concerts or other large gatherings that could overwhelm the area.
As part of their legal strategy, the USTA invoked a provision known as the “Superiority Clause.” This clause within their agreement with the city asserts that during the 23 days of the US Open, any activities on nearby parkland must defer to the tournament. A judge responded favorably to this argument, temporarily halting city efforts to finalize any agreements regarding the casino until the terms respecting the USTA were honored.
Unexpectedly, the situation saw a swift resolution. The casino developers updated their contract language to acknowledge the USTA’s precedence in the area during the tournament. They committed to refraining from scheduling conflicting events during the US Open. Although the lawsuit remains active, the USTA has expressed optimism, stating they look forward to welcoming the casino as a new neighbor, suggesting a willingness to collaborate moving forward.
On December 1, it was announced that Cohen and his partners were successful in securing a license for the Metropolitan Park casino, alongside other projects in New York City. While final approvals are still pending from the New York State Gaming Board, the mood among involved parties appears positive, indicating that the USTA will indeed have an intriguing addition to its neighborhood in the near future.
