Cohen’s Queens Casino Bid Moves Forward After USTA Dispute

The Metropolitan Park casino proposal, backed by Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International, has cleared an unexpected hurdle after the casino developers and the City of New York agreed to revise their planned pre-development agreement to include a “superiority clause” protecting the US Open.

The adjustment came days after the United States Tennis Association (USTA) sued to block the project on November 12. It argued that the original agreement violated its long-term lease with the National Tennis Center. That’s because it didn’t adhere to the tennis body’s “superiority clause” during the US Open.

On November 14, a New York Supreme Court judge issued a temporary restraining order. It blocked the city from signing any casino agreement unless it honors the lease terms.

On November 17, the city and the developers submitted a revised agreement that added written protections for the USTA during the 23-day US Open, including the required “superiority clause.”

While the updated language aligns with its demands, the USTA has stated it is not withdrawing the lawsuit.

“The underlying lawsuit against the City will continue, but we are hopeful that it can be resolved in a timely and amicable manner,” a USTA spokesperson said.

The judge has scheduled a preliminary-injunction hearing for December 11.

USTA Protections Added After Court Pressure

The USTA’s core complaint centered on parking rights, access, and event scheduling during the 23-day US Open. The association claimed that the city and Queens Future had previously refused to confirm the required protections in writing.

The National Tennis Center’s superiority clause requires any third-party use of adjacent parklands to be “subject and subordinate” to the US Open.

With the judge’s restraining order in place, the city amended the agreement to reflect those protections. The updated version commits to maintaining USTA-controlled parking during the tournament. It also prevents conflicting events at the casino or entertainment complex during that period.

The revised language was sufficient for the USTA to acknowledge compliance, even as the legal dispute proceeds.

“We look forward to welcoming the casino as our newest neighbor in Flushing Meadow-Corona Park,” USTA spokesman Brendan McIntyre said per the New York Post.

Metropolitan Park Pushes to Stay in Contention

The Metropolitan Park proposal remains one of the three finalists in New York’s downstate casino licensing process. The plan includes a casino, hotel, live-music venue, convention facilities, retail, and new parkland. The $8 billion investment represents the largest remaining bid by total project cost.

Cohen has pitched the project as an economic catalyst for Queens, built on the site of decades-old parking lots. The developers are pitching a $1 billion investment in the community.

Hard Rock Chairman & CEO Jim Allen said during the GFLB’s visit that the partnership has the capital, land control, and construction plan ready to begin if selected.

The site visits are the last public step before the board issues formal recommendations to the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC). That is expected by early December, leaving applicants little time to navigate any last-minute complications.

The NYSGC has previously stated that the law does not require it to award all three available licenses. The regulator has stated that bids meeting the suitability standards will receive a license. That means that there could be fewer than three licenses.

Although the city and developers have amended their agreement to include the USTA’s required protections, the lawsuit is still active. While the USTA is not challenging the casino proposal itself, the pending litigation remains an unresolved complication as the project enters the decisive stage of the licensing process.