Wang submits letters to court that indicate no deal was reached with Barroway in sale of Islanders

New York Islanders owner Charles Wang took significant steps towards proving he did not reach a deal to sell the team to Andrew Barroway prior to announcing a partnership with John Ledecky and Scott Malkin.

According to Newsday, "Andrew Barroway sent letters to Charles Wang in May and July that indicate that Barroway did not believe he had an agreement to buy the Islanders in March, Wang's attorney says in court documents filed Thursday."

The contents of the letters include the following:

In the first letter, dated May 23, Barroway says "it's been a few weeks since we last spoke" and thanks Wang for "the opportunity to be the next steward of the New York Islanders.

"Owning and operating the Islanders would be a dream come true," Barroway writes, "and you have my word and promise I will lead the team in a manner that reflects your strong values, protects your legacy and builds on the strong foundation you have set."

Barroway apologizes and "accepts responsibility" for what he called "a difficult process," and does not elaborate on the reasons why. Later, he writes, "I know you do not have to sell the team right now, but want to make this the right time and circumstance for you to do so."

Wang's lawyers point to that specific statement as proof that Barroway knew that a deal had not been reached between the two parties.

The letters were submitted as evidence toward Wang's motion to move Barroway's lawsuit against him from Manhattan to a Nassau County court.