QUEENS MAKES ITS MOVE
A closer option for the New York Islanders
As reported by the New York Daily News, the Islanders are a wanted franchise. Queens is very much a part of Long Island. Just keep that apple out of the arena, okay?
Comments on Lighthouse and arena here. Trade talk in next thread. Thank you to Islander Fan Central and more than a dozen readers for the heads-up. As Pete Botte can tell you, I don’t read the Daily News much.
118 Responses to QUEENS MAKES ITS MOVE
A closer option for the New York Islanders
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matt c says:
This would be a great idea….I live in queens and its a lot easier to get to a game there….more transportation thats for sure….trains, buses…
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Bryan says:
This would be even better than where they currently are.
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isles72 says:
would rangers be able to ask for an encroachement fee if isles move to queens ?
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Darwin says:
Although it’s an extreme long shot, I would love for this to happen. At the very least it puts a little more pressure on the TOH to get something done.
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I even think they would sell more tix in queens…forget uniondale…
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Peter Puck says:
I agree with Isles 72 can’t see the Rangers even considering it. I seem to think the Isles paid a steep fee just to set up camp in Nassau county so the chances of being in the same city as the Rangers must be next to none.
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David says:
I am not satisfied with this at all. I want the Islanders to stay in Nassau County where they have always been. Queens doesnt cut it for me. I want the Lighthouse! Stay in Uniondale!
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Dan says:
I like the Apple.
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Paul* says:
Moving to Queens Will Not Happen and Mr. Wang will Re-work his plans to stay in Nassau.
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Fantastic News !! TOH had better heed all of the interests in the NYI, the right offer might just happen.
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Mike from Philly says:
This would be awesome! Make this team so much more accessible, much more markatable. This of all the business endorsements they would get, no more having to fight through 8 inches on snow on the Meadowbrook to go to a game, could just jump on LIRR. Even if it is a long shot would love to see Wang pursue this!
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mw147 says:
While I want the Lighthouse done, this would be a decent second choice. At least the team would still be here, and the games would be reachable (unlike Brooklyn, which would be a much longer trip from Nassau).
That being said, it seems unlikely – just another point of pressure for TOH to approve the Lighthouse. Those pressure points are mounting up – hopefully TOH cooperates.
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Matt Scordato says:
Maybe we can change the name of the team to the Flushing Toilets.
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Hopefully all this presure will light a fire under the TOH to get moving on the Lighthouse!!
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Isn’t Trade Talks a way of starting Rumors?
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72 and others – the Islanders paid a one-time “encroachment fee.” They wouldn’t have to pay it again even if they built themselves a new arena across the street from MSG.
I think we should be concentrating on the Lighthouse, naturally, since that’s still the best hope for keeping this team in the area. However, it’s always good to have options, so I have no problem with this. I wouldn’t consider Brooklyn or Queens “leaving the area” by any means.
It’s good news that the Islanders are wanted, but do not let this get our eyes off the ball with the Lighthouse, OK?
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Don says:
This is a solid #2 option in the Lighthouse falls through. The Isles already paid the Rangers a franchise fee in 1972 that allowed them to operate within 50 miles of the Garden, I believe, so moving into the Five Boroughs would presumably still be covered.
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Jethro09 says:
Willets Point would be fantastic. I would love to see them move there. I would love to see the team out of Nassau and the TOH and have those entities lose all the revenue they benefit from in having the Isles around. It would be a fitting punishment for their (the TOH’s) procrastination on the Lighthouse approval.
Besides, I think that with both the LIRR and #7 going to CitiField already, you probably could get some mode of mass transit to make stops at the convention center as well. That would open up a whole new dynamic for the Isles as far as attracting fans is concerned. Willets Point would be a win-win, if the arena is state of the art.
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4 isles72 on Feb 10th, 2009 12:07:15 said: “would rangers be able to ask for an encroachement fee if isles move to queens?”
They already did that back when the franchise was new.Like mw147 said, this is a great backup plan. It is infinitely better than the team moving away- but its the Lighthouse project thats the real goal.
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Jethro – let’s be careful there. The Town of Hempstead has no control over the state law governing the environmental review for the Lighthouse. It’s not necessarily procrastinating at this point.
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Nick Classic: It is procrastination. This project was pitched years ago. It doesn’t take years to conduct an environmental study. Nassau County had this project okayed years ago, yet we’re still waiting on the TOH. It takes time, but not years. The politicans in the TOH are dragging their heels on this environmental study because they don’t want to take a position on a very ambitious project that may be unpopular with their constituents. This is all about votes. They don’t care if the Isles move, so long as they don’t get voted out of office.
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Don't Mind the Haters says:
Thank God there’s a Plan B (other than sell the team) and have the new owners relocate to KC / LV / Timbuktu
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UIF says:
This is a better threat than KC, imo. Fans would be willing to accept anything for the team not to move out of the area to a place like KC.
With this Queens option, many fans may endorse such a move, and if TOH all of a sudden isn’t a critical partner for the Isles staying in the area, they lose a lot of their leverage as far as I can see.
This, I think, would be the best option for the Isles to pursue to get the TOH to move on the Lighthouse.
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transportation is def better in queens…who wants to sit on the meadowbrook??…its nice to be wanted anyway. Forget Nassau and all of there red tape. The Flushing toilets?…from what i see uniondale isnt that great of an area anyway.
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Jethro: Wrong. Final scope was submitted in December of 2007, a full 18 months after the original county approval came. They reviewed for 6 months and began the environmental review in June. Therefore, the environmental review has been going on for 8 months, which is still on the lower bound of time for SEQR.
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While I hate the idea of Queens less than Brooklyn — does anyone know there’s a county heading EAST too? With a large parcel of land with Rail transport? fiddle faddle.
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SteveNYC says:
I think this would be great. I live in NYC and this would make it easier for me and others here to get to games.
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Eric says:
It’s a nice idea and fun to float around but it is highly unlikely to ever get off the ground….
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TuxTax says:
I say knockdown the World’s Fair eyesore’s and build the arena right there!
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Mikey G. says:
Queens would make this team 1000 times more marketable… partnered with the mets.. halfway between NYC and LI… bigger market
LIRR/multiple bus lines/ express subway stop/ multiple highways
Sounds like a win win here. Your move TOH!
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Close to LIRR and Subway. Right next to Citi Field. It would be great to set up some restaurants and bars in the area. I am all for it….
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30 TuxTax on Feb 10th, 2009 12:55:22 said:
I say knockdown the World’s Fair eyesore’s and build the arena right there!It would be a LOT cooler if they left them there and incorporated them into the disign of the area.
We are getting ahead of ourselves here for sure, but I see this kind of a discussion as a positive one- AS LONG as no Islanders fans split off and start pushing for this INSTEAD of the Lighthouse project. Remember the old saying- divided, we fall.
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DanNOLA says:
I would definately prefer the Lighthouse, for reason’s I’ve stated a few times on this site. But, Queens is a Hell of a lot better than KC. I go to Mets games during the summer, wouldn’t mind going there in the winter too if that is what I had to do. I think it is great to have options and leverage. Staying in Nassau is very important, though, and I think most fans would rather have them stay out of the 5 boroughs.
I know that Suffolk is out of the question, but that would be my second choice (since I’m from there).
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Nick Classic: So, you don’t think that politicans are concerned about backlash from a constituency that may not approve of the Lighthouse? Of course they do. But rather than take a firm stand and vote either for or against it, they’d rather sit on it and not anger any group of its constituency.
Even if the “final scope” was submitted in December 2007 (which I find hard to believe, since the group has been pitching this project for well over two years), that still leaves 14+ months to conduct an environmental study. To date, nothing has been done. Not on phase of the study had been completed or reported on by the appropriate agency. That is procrastination.
Even if it did take this long, the policians in the TOH have yet to take a concrete position on this project, one way or the other. They’ve never come out and said “we’ll approve the project if the environmental study is acceptable” or even define what an “acceptable environmental study” would be. At this point, we still don’t know how the Town will vote when the study is complete or even how long it will take them to “review the findings” before making a final decision and how long that decision will take. They’ve back-burnered this project in hopes that it will go away, which is B.S.
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Dan says:
This would be 1000 times beter than moving to KC. I would not mind this if the TOH keeps sitting on there hands and does not do anything once the enviornmental report is finished.
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Jethro09: Just FYI, Nick Classic knows exactly what he is talking about- I siggest you believe what he is telling you.
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318-J-1 says:
this is great news! as long as we stay in New York and on an Island im happy.
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Mikey says:
This is exciting news, but I think we should wait for more information before getting worked up. As far as I know, they’ve gotten the necessary zoning approvals for the Willits Point project, and the proposal did not include an arena. Would they need to go back to the city for approval? Have they picked a developer yet? If not, maybe Wang and Rechler can team up. There are too many unanswered questions right now, but this could be great leverage.
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JT says:
Without a Wang development project attached to a new arena, it may not be profitable for him to make the move. He can already renovate the Coli without waiting for TOH to approve the whole Lighthouse project. In any event, I hope Kate Murray and the TOH get the message.
As I’ve said several times before, I’d love to see the Isles share a new arena with the Nets. Looks lie the Brooklyn project may be dead.
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suffolk would be a horrible choice , the building would be empty as it is too far from everything…..it would be as bad as staten island..lol.
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islesfan says:
Although I’m glad to see more pressure on the TOH to do something, the Islanders MUST stay in Nassau or move to Suffolk.
I drive from Riverhead and there are many of us from Suffolk that would have to abandon our season tickets, then to drive to Queens.
Queens is NYC people. Long Island, as in The ISLANDERS is Nassau/Suffolk.
I know the lure of mass transit and a new shiny arena is appealing, hopefully this will wake up Hempstead to move things along. -
there arent too many season tix holders from suffolk…we would have more in queens than suffolk…….I hope they stay in nassau, but queens would be a great choice.
Best thing would be if Wang sold to Wilpon and they moved to queens…lol -
mm30 says:
Hey CB! Keep your third basemen and his pharmacist out of the arena…LOL!
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MSA says:
Wang has plenty of ties to Queens County. He moved there when he was 8, and got his Bachelor’s degree from Queens College. If they make him a sweet enough deal, he may bite. The population density would also be be great for any supporting RE/Housing deal he could squeeze out as well. Sadly, it appears that Queens may actually value the jobs this would bring, especially now Citi Field is done…
I would love the Lighthouse, but can anybody really say this isn’t better then KC?
Let’s just hope this gets the TOH off it’s butts!!!
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Matt, with all do respect, have you done a survey?
I’ve had my seats since 2000, and although most folks are in Nassau, there are a substantial number from Suffolk. -
TMC – thanks for the shout-out. Jethro, I stand behind what I said in my previous post and will not repeat it. I have some other thoughts if you’d like to click my name but I won’t hog CB’s bandwidth.
Let’s not take our eyes off the ball and start arguing the merits of backup plans here. I personally think it would be insane to move to Suffolk County because you’re moving farther away from big population centers, big-money sponsors, and consciousness in the city newspapers, but still. The other posters who keep saying they hope this lights a fire under the TOH are right. The Lighthouse is still our best option here, and we can’t ever forget that.
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Absolutely Nick.
I agree that the Lighthouse have to remain our focus and # 1 priority.
We can debate Suffolk vs Queens all day, but that would be a useless.
I’m glad the Queens option has continued keeping the issue on the front burner. -
trizzel says:
With a move to queens the Islander crest would need to be updated. The crest only includes Nassau and Suffolk county’s.
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guerin13 says:
yes, the lighthouse project should remain our priority but it’s nice knowing that there may be a viable backup plan to keep us on li if this doesn’t work out. the queens option should also give the toh the little shove that they need to get things going.
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Pat says:
Glad to see Queens weigh in with some potential.
Time for the politicians to get off the pot already and make some decisions in T.O.H. and let us know where they stand.
Somebody – do SOMETHING
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the1gwiz says:
As a lifelong Isle fan born and raised in Queens and now living in NJ, this is phenomenal. I’ll remain an ardent supporter of the Lighthouse Project, but after extolling its virtues I’ll be sure to mutterer “but Queens would sure be incredible” under my breath for purely selfish reasons
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BeatleBailey says:
the more local options the better. The TOH needs to lose any bit of arrogance they carry regarding the islanders. This franchise will exist somehwere beyond 2015.
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Steve says:
It can still be the Isles and the crest can remain the same, just because they play in Queens they should change it? The Giants and Jets play in New Jersey, a whole different state! At least the Isles will remain in NY, the state in the name.
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trizzel – last I looked the crest has Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk in it.
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55 MSA on Feb 10th, 2009 13:49:23 said:
trizzel – last I looked the crest has Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk in it.You think it does, but it doesnt… it is actually the outline of suffolk and nassau only… with the “I” in Islanders pointing to Uniondale. It would be a minor change to fix it if they ever did move to the western part of Long Island.
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Sarge says:
If this keeps them on Long Island I’m all for it. Better than moving to Kansas City or closing shop for good(dunno which is worse).
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I think Trizzel was being sarcastic.
The Crest has ALL of Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Nassau and Suffolk in it,IMO. -
It actually is only Nassau and Suffolk – I didn’t realize that until someone pointed it out to me. If you check the full map of Long Island vs. the version on the crest, it’s different.
Also – I checked the Lighthouse site again, just need to make a quick correction. When I said December of 07 I was slightly off. The Lighthouse group submitted an application to re-zone the land in November of 2007, about a year after they won the right to develop the land. Sorry about the slight error in dates.
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Simply put, these are the NY Islander’s, from Nassau Long Island, NY. Enough is enough, this project needs to get done. The Lighthouse Project is, a Win! Win! opportunity for all. Why these powers to be are holding this up, is crazy. Everyone should be so thankful to Charles Wang. This is a Class Act Entity from A to Z. Forget Queens, and any place other than the existing site. Thanks, Mark
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bystander says:
the best thing about the queens scenario and the timing of this is that it gives Ms. Murray/TOH a way to move their collective butts (at least try to) without appearing to have buckled under pressure directly from wang himself. it gives them a face saving out. very important.
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I can’t see why the Rangers would have a problem with it. You either like the Rangers or the Islanders or you don’t like hockey. It would help the rivalry grow even more. And if they move Isles can play rangers every year at Citi Field…
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Darren says:
If the TOH continues to play games then I have no problem going to Queens for games.
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Harry says:
Would be a great alternative, I’ve been driving to shea for years from eastern suffolk, only about 20 mins further, the fact that they would still be here is all that matters if the LH somehow completely falls through. This isn’t a scientific fact but it seems like a lot of isles fans are also mets fans, having them in eachothers backyard would be kind of cooI think. Nassau will always be the isles real home though.
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Pete M says:
If worse came to worst, Queens is obviously a much better option than Kansas City or Saskatoon, although I don’t understand how a move to Queens would make the team more marketable. What will make this team more marketable is winning. And why change the logo? The Giants have NY on their helmets and they’ve been in New Jersey for over 30 years.
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The rags aren’t the only problem with potential opposition to Queens. Who would think that the Jets playing on the west side of NYC would have any impact on the Rangers/Knicks? It wouldn’t, but a brand new venue for concerts was enough of a concern for Cablevision/Dolan to spend millions to successfully defeat the project.
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kevin says:
i hate the idea of us moving. from someone who knows what they are talking about, how likely is it that we get moved? and does a superstar ( 2009 draft pick free agent pick-up) affect the status? do the standings and amount of recent cups affect it too. my point is if we had an allstar team and won every cup and sellout every game, would it affect the towns decision? i know even with that wang still may lose money so he needs the surrounding area done.
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C.J. says:
Being from Jersey, I’d love it. Makes my commute and ride to see the boyz that much closer.
More importantly, it takes that pig who’s standing in the way of the Lighthouse and twists her ninnies a bit. Take that slob.
Isles have plenty of options and their relocation will be the beginning of the end of her political career.
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Peter from Wantagh says:
While staying in Nassau County is the best option, this would clearly be better than the alternative of the Isles leaving the area altogether. If the Isles did move to Queens, I wonder if they could get the old Shea apple away from the Mets and use it when they score a goal?
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michael says:
good thing david wright approves.. who should the daily news ask next, daryl strawberry?
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Stumpy32 says:
Why are people so sure that staying in Nassau is the best option for the future of the franchise? I can’t imagine we’d be any less popular in the metro area with a move to Flushing – likely, several times moreso. We’d be literally 10 miles from our current home, but within Queens’ million or so residents, and be subway and LIRR accessible. Plus, we’d be a stone’s throw from a major airport. I don’t see the downside to this – and being that most Isles fans (seemingly except for me) are Mets fans, it seems to have some kind of symbiotic thing going for it.
I’m all for the Queens option. Put them where Shea used to be. Have the LIRR and subway right next door. I’ll be all for it – and I live in Brooklyn, where, by train, it would actually be easier to go to the Coliseum.
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Nick Isles From Brooklyn says:
Even if this is true – it will be a while before anything starts happening – i guess maybe by 2015 it could be ready but that area has been more controversal than The Lighthouse – they are still fighting the battle and the City Council approved it!
There has been plans for a convention center in Willets point – and ive seen plans without a convention center – I think the latest rendering has one but the question is – how big will this convention center be?
Interesting thought!
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Mike from Oceanside says:
Just an FYI for anyone who is geographically challenged….Long Island has on it FOUR counties: Suffolk, Nassau, Queens and Kings. And the Islanders logo displays LONG ISLAND in its entirety. Not looking to flame anyone here, but geez…
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Chuck DiMaggio says:
Are the owners of those auto salvage yards in Willets Point going to leave the area without an extended fight? It may not be so easy to get a building project done there either, unless it’s built where the Taxpayer Field parking lots will be and alternate parking facilities are built to accommodate both venues.
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Dorfer says:
Queens would be amazing, and would be a great way to bring back the young fans who moved off LI and into NYC.
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Terry says:
Great. Bad enough I wake up in Babylon after Met games, now I have to pass out on the train after Isles games too?
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Just an FYI regarding the mass transit subject. LIRR access isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. The line that goes by Shea is the Port Washington line, which only serves the north shore as far east as Port Washington. For a rider on any other line (the vast majority of Long Islanders) the trip would require a change over at the Woodside station or two subway lines from Jamaica.
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Mike from Oceanside on Feb 10th, 2009 15:20:57 said: “Just an FYI for anyone who is geographically challenged….Long Island has on it FOUR counties: Suffolk, Nassau, Queens and Kings. And the Islanders logo displays LONG ISLAND in its entirety. Not looking to flame anyone here, but geez…”
If that was directed at any of us who have been talking about the logo, I can tell you that I am certainly aware of what counties are actually part of Long Island. However, if you look at the outline on the Islanders logo, it does NOT INCLUDE Queens or Nassau counties on it. The “I” In Islanders points to Uniondalw. Is that where Uniondale is if if that map on the logo included all of Long Island? Go look at it carefully for yourself. Compare it to an actual map. You will see what we are all saying once you do.
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Take the train to woodside. Cross the platform and take it back one stop. The MTA schedules special trains for sporting events on the Port Washington line. Getting there is a piece of cake by train. I haven’t driven to shea since they blew up the parking lot and I don’t miss it at all.
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SIR WILLIAM says:
LOL. Another pathetic attempt by Wangs PR people to stir up interest in the LightHouse Project. No wonder you don’t read the Daily News, Chris…….SW
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Jon says:
i live in Nassau and im frustrated with our politicians for causing this mess. Im hoping for the move to Queens so Nassau county realizes how much they needed this franchise. cut off my nose to spite my face.
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OK, I know this is post 6 for me, but can we seriously stop getting ourselves worked up over a backup plan?
All of us have been saying the Lighthouse is about more than hockey, so why are so many people willing to embrace a speculative alternative for purely hockey reasons?
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Looking at a map comparing it to my jersey, I would say that Queens and Brooklyn aren’t on the logo. Who knew? CB you were the PR guy, what do you say?
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“Nick Classic”, i understand your motivation for the LightHouse project, however i saw these question on another site and i believe they have Merrit to us Fans. These are questions for Mr.Wang?
When the LightHouse project is completed will you in return Allocate a Sufficient amount of FUNDS to Bring this once proud organization back to a Winner? Not Competitive!
When the LightHouse project is completed Will you Commit to NOT Selling the Islanders? or at the least keep the Islanders for years to come?
When the LightHouse is Completed if you ever do sell the Islanders will you give the New Owner Revenue sharing! Or shall i say still Allocate funds to the Islanders since they will be a Venue at the LighHouse?
When the LightHouse project is Approved What are your INTENTIONS for the ISLANDERS organization future under your Watch! Explain?
Look, I feel these are important questions that Mr.Wang needs to answer to all the Islander fans that are going to BAT for his lighthouse project, and also the public! Since Mr.Wang is making this an Islander Issue i believe he should Publically say what he will do for the Islander organization.
Because let’s face it, if Wang sells the Team when all said and done How will this all benifit the Islanders if he is the Landlord and the Islanders are the tenants. Because we have all heard up until now is that a New Coliseum,sold out every game and venues added will still not help the Organization to be Profitable, and this is not much to ask or is it? -
Mike says:
MetalChick — thanks for the clarification. At first glance, it looks like the cut-out where the “I” falls is Jamaica Bay. I seen now that the cut-out is just part of the “I.” Learn something new every day, I guess…
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Nobody is getting worked up over a sensible alternative move of 10 miles. But it sure might help BIG BUTT Murray to do something.
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Mike on Feb 10th, 2009 15:45:10 said:
MetalChick — thanks for the clarification. At first glance, it looks like the cut-out where the “I” falls is Jamaica Bay. I seen now that the cut-out is just part of the “I.” Learn something new every day, I guess…
The reason I was so cure that Queens and Brooklyn are not there is that for a long time I thought they were, myself. I didnt think otherwise til I really compared the outlines and realized that it really was only 2 of the 4 counties. Interesting, huh? -
“Take the train to woodside. Cross the platform and take it back one stop. The MTA schedules special trains for sporting events on the Port Washington line. Getting there is a piece of cake by train. I haven’t driven to shea since they blew up the parking lot and I don’t miss it at all.”
Still not better than a 15 minute car ride
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mtrico says:
INMHO Queens is a far better option than the current location. However, if the Isles did move to Queens, that still would not solve the other issues facing Nassau County, i.e. the lack of housing units similar to what the Lighthouse would provide, and a needed hub. Hopefully if the Town drops the ball and the Isles do end up in Queens, it will not lose sight of the fact that a Lighthouse type development is sorely needed.
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B.P. says:
I would LOVE a move to Queens. Would endorse that right now. If Kate and the Town of Hate can’t get this right, off to Willets Point we go. With a big ol’ smile on my face.
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As far as the geography debate, sure looks to me that the ENTIRE Island is on the Jersey. Kings, Queens, Suffolk, and Nassau. As we all know they are ALL [art of Long Island.
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Pete M, you don’t drink beer do you? Much better than a $45 cab ride.
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Now I am looking at it, and I can’t tell. Is that Kings and Queens or do they stop at Nassau. I thought it was the whole Island looking at it. At a longer second look, I’m not so sure.
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The “entire” map of Long Island is not on the Islander logo. If you’ll all look at a geographical map, Brooklyn and Queens give the island a more rounded western edge. On the Isles logo, there is a cut at the Nassau/Queens border. You can clearly make out the boundaries where the towns of Foral Park and Bellerose are.
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Stevie says:
Chuck…the “owners” of those salvage yards and car repair shops are nothing more than squatter who haven’t paid a dime in taxes. The city already has plans to kick them all out of there and develop that area. Alot of those structures are unsafe to begin with, so that entire area would be a perfect place for a new arena. My first priority would be the get the Lighthouse project going but, if TOH is sitting on their hands and won’t approve, Queens would be a much better option than moving out of the area all together. Plus the Isles do have a nice fan base in Queens who make the trek to NVMC to watch the Isles play. Now, if you can also get an NBA tenant in that arena such as the Nets (I think that Brooklyn project is all but dead)you’re talking a nice revenue stream. The beauty of that area is that there isn’t really any residential property there at all, its just an industrial zone so that could push things for the better. As I said, my first priority would be to keep the team where they currently are, but Queens isn’t a bad option and the players would still live on the Island as well.
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Tom says:
This would be a dream come true. Recruiting FA’s would be EASY. Making money would EASY. Marketing would be EASY. Getting a radio station that can be heard 3 blocks from the arena…EASY.
Charlie Wang needs two things…an arena in Queens & a “that was easy” button from Staples (I’ll buy), he’d be all set.
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19 says:
Best idea ever! Better than where they are now. In Queens, they’d have mass transit access, plenty of highways, near airport and hotels, part of NYC and they’d get the attention they deserve from the media and increased fan attendance. They’d still be close enough to keep most of the LI fans they have left plus gain easier access to fans from NYC, Westchester, Connecticut and New Jersey. They could still keep the Cablevision $. It’s a win/win.
There was talk of putting a roof on the tennis stadium in Queens but a new convention center/arena near Willets Point would be cool. That area could clean up real nice.
Let’s face it, LI doesn’t deserve a pro hockey team. The politicians don’t deserve it and there aren’t enough fans to support it. Nowadays, a pro team belongs in a big city not a small suburb or the mentality of one. It was fine in the 1970s and 80s but since the 90s sports is big business for big towns not small ones. Fans here and on other web message boards are the exception as they’re die hards and passionate but there just aren’t enough of them. Isles attendance is infamous for always being low in Nassau. Attendance started to decline in the late 80s after the dynasty. Don’t tell me that if the team won people would go more. Those people are called frontrunners. Don’t point to 2001 as that increased attendance was due to low ticket prices as much as it was to winning a little. How come NYI games get great attendance for weeknight playoff games but regular season weeknight games are a ghost town? – frontrunners. Did you know that the nights they retired Bossy’s and Potvin’s numbers the arena wasn’t sold out. I know because I was there and saw plenty of empty seats. So LI people don’t really deserve the team kept on LI either. During the dynasty days, 40% of the season ticket base was from Queens/Brooklyn.
So Kate Murray, keep dragging your feet and don’t do anything as you and your ilk don’t deserve them anyway. Keep those trees and birds in Uniondale. Let’s get this Queens move done. I’d be happy if NYI stayed where they are with a new or renovated arena but it seems unlikely and Queens makes the most sense all around.
Maybe the games could be heard on a radio station if they were in Queens too!!
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Willis says:
Personally I’d rather have the lighthouse. But if a move to Queens is the only thing that will keep the Islanders in this area then I will gladly switch gears and support the effort.
All this logo talk is off topic, LOL.
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JPinVA says:
This would appear to be “too good to be true”. The daily news article is the first I’ve heard of this. there is no mention of it on the development web site.
A 20K seat arena (what the Isles would need for a 20 year plan) is a lot different from a convention center. If this is going to be an ammendment to the original plan then… WAH-EFFIN-HOO.
I really think this would be the best thing for the TEAM’S financial health.
the potential is definitely there…
THE SNAPPLE CENTER?
Partnership with the Nets again?
Doubleheaders with the Mets?
Massive brawls on the 7 train after Islander ranger games?
Will it happen? Most likely not. It’s probably just something leaked to the press to “run up the flagpole”… but…
Where do we sign the e-petition for this? -
Jim Clark says: I’m as likely to go to Queens as the possibility of Mike Milbury getting a banner raised in Nassau coliseum. Horrible idea to me. Kansas City is more appealing. Going back to rooting for the Rangers as I did is more appealing..no actually since Dolan owns the team, I’ll cheer for the Devils instead.
If The Wanger is using it to play hardball with TOH it’s a good idea. But as far as going to Willets Point, include me out.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
Even though as a Jersey resident Queens would be a little easier for me to get to … I still prefer the NVMC … that is where the Isles history is … that said … Queens would be better than Kansas City … I think it also helps apply some pressure to the TOH.
Queens / NYC would make it happen … if they are developing the area already you bet their bottom dollar that they’ll look for an anchor tenent … and so close to mass transit, airport and highways. It is a very attractive alternative without leaving the area.
Keep in mind … there is probably plenty of “Stimulus” (massive debt) package money coming to NYC & Queens … they’d probably make sure it’s a good deal for Wang in the sense of term$.
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This is really funny. Have any of you ever been to where this proposal is located? Talk about toxic land!!
This would NEVER pass any envirormental study, as this land has been poisoned by years of oil, gasoline and other toxic chemicals poured into the ground by the salavge yards that exist there now.
Take a quick trip over there and walk around. In five minutes your shoes will start to glow. In ten your hair will fall out. This is the funniest attempt by Wang yet, much better than Kansas City….SW
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NYCIslanders says:
My first preference is for the team to stay in Uniondale. I still believe the team is extremely important to the local economy and TOH would be wise to bend over backwards to keep them there.
As a Bayside resident I say BRING THEM HERE! I am a 25 minute bus ride away from CitiField and would not miss driving out to the Coliseum in weekday rush hour traffic.
The Isles playing in NYC would also make them more marketable and possibly even get them another regular beat writer or two.
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If Wang moved the team, he still loses money, he would need to develop the surronding area, so this is definitely not an option but interesting reading. Anywhere there is mass transit would be a huge plus!
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BR says:
B.P. (93) – Go to Wikimedia Commons and do a search for “New York Long Island” and compare that map of the counties to the Isles logo. You’ll see that the logo clearly cuts-off the island on the border between Queens and Nassau.
It was probably designed this way so as to exclude any of the Rangers’ NYC turf.
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cusi says:
Wish #1 – Lighthouse project happens and they stay where they are.
Wish #2 – If number one fails, put them in queens. Having the Mets and Islanders gives year round exposure to the area. It would be a new sports complex mini town, with other attractions, restaurants, etc.
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i love my islanders, and last time i checked queens was part of the island. forget kansas or saskatoon. stay on the island. saskatoon is only 5hrs away for me, but nyi should and stay on the island. unless nasseau county wakes up from its brain fart.
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d-man says:
newsday needs to have a back page cover of this so when KM walks into her office tomorrow she can pick it up. a small story in the daily news ain’t gonna do much.
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Lee says:
do it…..do it.
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PreOriginal says:
I live in Northern Manhattan and go to 30 to 40 Mets games a year. I’ve been an Islander fan since they debated whether to draft Billy Harris or Steve Vickers as #1. I’ve been to the NVMC four times in my life. Because the Devils understand the concept of public transportation, I saw KO score his first NHL goal last year. I’d be at the game now if the Isles were in Queens. Hell, I’d buy season tickets.
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Bklyn333 says:
As an Isles season-ticketholder (had to give my ticket for tonight to a friend due to a class I’m taking) who uses LIRR from Brooklyn .. Queens sounds great, especially if it’s near the Mets (I’m also a Mets plan holder). But they need to do some kind of light rail from the LIRR to get around the Port Washington line issue. Hopefully they can do the special 7-express service after games like what they do for Mets games.
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/ChrisTMC/LongIslandMapIslanderLogoMap.jpg
I think this might help anyone who still thinks that the Islanders logo includes Queens and Brooklyn. Its a jpg I made, not a link to another site.
It shows the actual outline of Long Island with the artistic rendering from the logo on top of it… and a map of the borders for queens and brooklyn included in the corner. Hope that clears everything up as far as the logo goes! -
Metal Chick YOU ROCK !!!
What an awesome post.
Thanks for laying his to rest.
I, for one , was not convinced till
I saw your post.
Thanks again -
JP says:
Am I missing something on Yale University Prof. Charles Euchner saying “it would require too many infrastructure changes” ??
Isn’t the infrastructure for a 50,000 seat baseball stadium enough to cover a 19,000 seat hockey arena?
In the regular season, there’d be about four games max with conflicts.
For example, in 2008, there’s ONE DAY (April 4) where the Islanders and Mets both have home games… and one is scheduled for 1 pm, the other 7 pm.
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Big Dog says:
Love the Queens idea! There are tons of Isles fans in Manhattan who have no way to get to games – public transportation means everything!
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(102) SIR WILLIAM: I think that the unquestionably poor condition of the land there presently would make an environmental review go far better… because anything liekt his that is built there will be a drastic improvement over what is there presently. Just sayin.
this is great news. the more local options the better. at the very least this gives the toh a reason to move the lighthouse project along. check our their quote. i think they are starting to feel the pressure.