- David Shuman has bought a minority stake in the Islanders, pending NHL approval
- The Lateralus Holdings founder chairs smart ring maker Oura and AI platform webAI
- Read below for the childhood bedroom that made him an Isles fan for life
The Islanders sold off a piece of the team Monday, and the buyer grew up with the dynasty taped to his bedroom wall.
David Shuman, founder of the New York venture capital firm Lateralus Holdings, has joined the Islanders ownership group as a limited partner. Terms were not disclosed, and the deal still needs NHL approval.
Nothing changes on the hockey side. The Islanders said the investment will not affect day-to-day business operations, hockey operations or front office leadership.
Jon Ledecky, the club’s alternate governor, framed the addition around what Shuman has built outside of hockey.
“David is one of the most passionate Islanders fans I know and an extraordinary builder of companies. That mindset will be invaluable as we continue to invest in this organization and in this community.”
In his own statement, Shuman traced the fandom to one room, and his answer is a list of names every Isles fan knows by heart.
“My childhood bedroom was covered in newspaper photos and magazine covers of Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, Clark Gillies, Denis Potvin, Billy Smith, John Tonelli, and Bobby Nystrom. Being part of this organization today is a full-circle moment. I’m honored to help support the Islanders’ future and their drive for a fifth Cup.”
Watch the Nystrom goal in 1980 that started all four of those Cups:
Technology is the day job. Shuman started Lateralus in 2016 and chairs the boards of both Oura, the smart ring company, and the AI platform webAI. Oura filed to go public in May.
He is the third outside money man to buy into the Isles in recent years. German financier Oliver Haarmann took a 10% stake in 2023 at a $1.75 billion valuation, per Sportico, and former NHL executive John Collins bought in that same year before taking over the business side.
Collins has not been a silent partner since. He ran the search that replaced Lou Lamoriello:
Scott Malkin stays on as the control owner and governor. Ledecky is the alternate governor, with Haarmann, Dewey Shay and Collins also listed among the co-owners.
Franchise prices keep climbing, which is why these stakes keep getting sliced up. Sportico valued the Islanders at $1.93 billion and expects them to clear $2 billion on the next list, with the average NHL team now worth roughly double what it was in 2022.
Shuman is buying into a roster that finally has a centerpiece. Matthew Schaefer went first overall in 2025 and won the Calder, and he already sits inside the NHL’s top 20 defensemen. Here’s the moment New York called his name:
