The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York recently ruled in a case involving the County of Nassau and NY Youth Sports Network, Inc. The court's decision, dated May 27, 2026, reverses a previous order that had granted a preliminary injunction against the sports network and declared that their lease agreement had been terminated due to nonpayment of rent. This ruling affects the ability of the NY Youth Sports Network to operate on the leased property, which is intended for public recreational use.
The dispute began when the County of Nassau, which owns property in Uniondale, entered into a lease agreement with NY Youth Sports Network in August 2021. The County claimed that the sports network failed to pay rent and maintain necessary insurance, leading to the lawsuit. The County sought a declaration that the lease was terminated and requested an injunction to prevent the sports network from using the property.
After the lawsuit was filed, the County moved to amend its complaint to include a claim for breach of contract based on the alleged failure to pay rent. The County also sought a preliminary injunction to stop the sports network from using the property. On January 10, 2024, the Supreme Court of Nassau County granted the County's motion for a preliminary injunction and declared that the lease was terminated due to nonpayment of rent, ordering the sports network to vacate the property.
NY Youth Sports Network appealed the decision, arguing that the Supreme Court had acted improperly by declaring the lease terminated without a formal motion for summary judgment. The Appellate Division agreed with the sports network's argument. The court noted that the lower court did not provide proper notice or allow for a fair hearing on the issue of lease termination. The court stated, "The Supreme Court erred in, sua sponte, declaring that the Lease Agreement terminated due to the defendant's nonpayment of rent."
The Appellate Division also addressed the standards for granting a preliminary injunction, emphasizing that the moving party must show a likelihood of success on the merits and a risk of irreparable harm. The court found that the County had not met these requirements, stating, "the plaintiff failed to demonstrate that the circumstances were of such an extraordinary nature to justify the relief that was granted pending the resolution of the action." As a result, the court reversed the lower court's order regarding the preliminary injunction and the lease termination.
This ruling has significant implications for both parties. For the County of Nassau, the reversal means that it cannot immediately evict the NY Youth Sports Network from the property or prevent it from operating there. For the sports network, the decision allows it to continue its activities without the threat of eviction while the case proceeds. The ruling also underscores the importance of due process in lease disputes, ensuring that parties are given proper notice and an opportunity to be heard before a court makes significant decisions affecting their rights.
Moving forward, the case will likely continue as the parties work through the remaining issues related to the lease agreement. The Appellate Division's ruling does not prevent the County from pursuing its claims against the sports network; it simply requires that the process be followed correctly. The case may set a precedent for how courts handle similar disputes involving lease agreements and the standards for issuing preliminary injunctions.
Details were not available in the court filing regarding whether the County plans to appeal this decision further or if there are any related cases pending. However, the outcome of this case could influence future lease agreements and the management of public recreational properties in Nassau County.