Wang, former Islanders majority owner, dies at 74

Charles Wang, former majority owner of the New York Islanders, died Sunday. He was 74.

The cause of death was not released.
"We are heartbroken by the news of Charles Wang's passing," Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky said. "New York Islanders co-owners Dewey Shay, Scott Malkin and I were privileged to be selected by Charles to be his partners in the team. Charles loved the Islanders unconditionally. The arena at Belmont Park will be just one of his many legacies left to the team and to Long Island. His unique personality, his wonderful sense of humor and his extraordinary wisdom will be greatly missed."
Wang was born in Shanghai, China on Aug. 19, 1944, and moved to Queens, New York, with his family at age 8. He graduated from Queens College with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and physics, and founded Computer Associates International (now CA Technologies) in 1976, where he was chairman and chief executive until 2000. He was instrumental in the development and growth of several companies in the United States and China, including KyLinTV, Inc. and NeuLion, Inc. After NeuLion merged with JumpTV Inc. in October 2008, Wang became chairman of the combined company.
Wang and then-partner Sanjay Kumar bought the Islanders in 2000. He bought out Kumar's share in 2004 and remained majority owner until transferring majority ownership to a group of investors led by Ledecky and Malkin in 2016. Wang spent most of his tenure working to either refurbish Nassau Coliseum or build a new arena in Uniondale, New York, before moving the Islanders to Barclays Center in Brooklyn in 2015.
The Islanders won a bid to build an arena at Belmont Park on Dec. 20, 2017. The proposal includes an 18,000-seat arena, a hotel, 435,000 square feet of retail space, and a 10,000-square-foot innovation center that will be developed with input from residents.
"The National Hockey League lost a dear friend today with the passing of New York Islanders minority owner Charles Wang," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "His commitment to, and passion for, his beloved Islanders was matched by his dedication to, and support for, the Long Island community."

Wang's ownership of the Islanders helped him create Project Hope, an international program to develop hockey in China. The Islanders became the first NHL team to host an international youth hockey tournament.
"As the NHL embarks on a journey to grow hockey in China, we do so with the appreciation and knowledge that it was Charles who was the vision and driving force at the forefront of developing the game in his native country," Commissioner Bettman said. "We also owe Charles a great debt of gratitude for all that he did in pioneering video streaming of our League so that hockey fans around the world could connect with the NHL.
"We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Nancy, children Kimberly, Jasmine and Cameron and his many friends around the world."
Wang's success in the business and sports worlds allowed him to support many charitable foundations including the expansion of the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center in New York City, which offers primary care, women's health, pediatrics, dental, health education and mental health services to the Chinatown and Flushing communities.
"Charles Wang was a great man," Islanders president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said. "He always spoke of his love for the Long Island community and the passionate fan base. Long Island would not have a team if it were not for Charles. Most importantly, we've all lost a great friend. Our deepest sympathies to his wife Nancy and children Kimberly, Jasmine, and Cameron."