This story is originally from May 3 and has been updated on July 31.
The New York Islanders have no cap space left to sign anyone else.
However, while not on the Islanders’ books, one other pending free agent may be the most important signing for Islanders nation this summer: Brendan Burke.
Burke joined MSG Networks in 2016 as their play-by-play man, having wrapped up his eighth season.
In that time, he’s become a household name in the broadcast world, earning national broadcasting gigs with NBCSN and, nowadays, TNT. His opportunities have grown beyond the rink as well, branching into baseball with the New York Yankees and Peacock’s Sunday Leadoff and Big-10 Football.
However, Newsday’s Neil Best reported back in mid-April that Burke’s contract with MSGSN was coming to an end. With his expiring contract, the world of sports broadcasts is changing in New York and beyond.
Going back to the diamond, Yankees broadcast legend John Sterling announced his retirement after 35 years behind the microphone.
A replacement has not yet been named.
Burke filled in for some games in 2022 and cited Sterling as one of his idols growing up after paying homage to him in a goal call in the Islanders’ playoff-clinching win against the New Jersey Devils, the second to last game of the regular season.
Related: Broadcaster Brendan Burke Pays Tribute To John Sterling With ‘Islanders Goal’ Call
Who knew if Burke, who had the option to leave Long Island as a pending free agent in 2021, had any interest in leaving three years later?
MSG was likely to do everything in its power to keep Burke around, as he’s become a superstar broadcaster of elite status in the sport today.
If he wants to do Yankees baseball, too, he could pull a Howie Rose, who, for years, called Islanders games on television and Mets games on the radio.
Rose left the Islanders broadcast in 2016 to focus just on the Mets, which opened the door for Burke on Long Island.
However, not to fear Islanders fans, as Best reported on Thursday afternoon that Burke will be back:
There are no details on the contract, which has yet to officially be signed.
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