LOGAN REPORTS: NYI GO TO SIMULCAST
Contracts of bcasters Mears and King not renewed
As reported by Greg Logan, two good men in Steve Mears and Chris King are silenced as the Islanders make the business decision to simulcast their TV broadcasts on the Islanders Radio Network. Steve and Kinger are friends. I played a part in Steve’s hiring as a young radio prospect out of the Central League. Other than saying they are great pros and underrated broadcasters, this one’s close to home so for now I’ll read what everyone else writes on mine and Logie’s blog. Comments.
186 Responses to “LOGAN REPORTS: NYI GO TO SIMULCAST
Contracts of bcasters Mears and King not renewed”
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that sucks….as much as i like howie and jaffe, i loved listening to steve and king on the radio….i wish them the best.
Ever since Center Ice I havne’t listened to the radio broadcast but anytime I used to or watched the videos they put up (like the preseason games they called I think they did a great job). I wonder who’ll be calling the preseason games? Hope they are on to bigger and better things.
Also, some one please stop Howie Rose from going off on his tangents on none hockey related or Isles related topics.
I’m still disgusted with who ever flips the bills for their special segments made us watch that Egg Levine garbage not only once but several times. It was trash! I want features on Islanders and/or their prospects or former Isles. Not Ranger fans who can’t play goal anyways and Goring let him beat Jaffe.
They’ll land on their feet
Another awful move by this franchise….one step forward two back.
I thought Mears was an awful announcer. I will miss Kings post game shows!
I dont understand this. Although, i usually watch most games when i did listen to the Islanders on the radio i loved what mears and king brought to the table. They had the signature sound of someone like jiggs. If you heard their voice you knew it was islanders hockey that was on the air. Kind of a shame really. Is there any real purpose behind this decision? I wish them both the best of luck and hope they’ll be back
Sad and low class.
It was bad enough that you could barely hear the Isles on radio.
Two good men are dumped so we can hear a TV description on radio.
Low class.
Simple economics. They are saving the salaries of 2 people. Happening everywhere.
Move to Kansas City already, they put AHL players on the ice, and now we are treated as an AHL club with no radio voice.. Hope everyone had fun at the draft party, because that was it !!! The Isles will always be the laughing stock of the NHL (aka AHL)… Mears and Kinger are top notch, and hope to hear them somewhere soon… Good Luck to both !!!
Bush league move from a bush league organization. I saw them also canceled the Isles magazine they did last year. Anything to save a buck.
roots of the recession. good luck guys.
pretty upset by this decision. They deserve better than this. And a TV broadcast will be so hard to follow on the radio. Its completely different ways of announcing.
Of course its a different way of announcing but Howie Rose is a veteran radio man as well and I am sure he will change things up sufficiently enough to make things work.
the tv post game show should be geared more like the radio show was.. send jaffe to doolin’s and have kinger there as well, interview a player post game, then throw it up to howie upstairs.. they need to keep kinger around…
This is a bad decision
Just more proof that our ownership does not believe they are here for the long run anymore. Charles is willing to give up his Major League coverage for a lowball money saving minor league radio broadcast. Simulcasts say only one thing…bush league.
And to make matters as bad as possible, our only announcers are now beholding to CABLEVISION. The Dolan’s and the Rangers control what is said over the airwaves about our beloved team. Another sad day on Long Island.
They need to get a radio station that can actually broadcast past hempstead TPKE. I liked Mears and I thing he really got a raw deal. He’s done alot for the organization.
good grief NO NO NO!!!! Not Mearsy! That kid is great! And you can’t take away our after game show at Doolins! That would totally blow! I’m heartsick now.
So this is an Islanders decision and not a Cablevision decision? Either way it’s totally bush league, 1 step forward, 2 back is exactly right.
Loved Mears and Kinger!!! This sucks!
There are some things you cannot put a price on but are worth every penny you pay for. The King and Mears team is one of those things.
Simulcasts only work if it’s Vin Scully calling a Dodgers game.
Bad move, Dey. You stink.
Classless move by the organization.
Radio didn’t bother me because I used to be a STH and if the Isles were playing on the road, if I wasn’t travelling, I was home watching. Then I took a job that means working a lot of nights and I had to give up my tickets, so having a radio at work was a necessity.
First, let me say I’m not that big a fan of the radio guys. Mears was growing on me, but I was a big John Weideman fan. Chris King though is one of the worst analysts and biggest homers I’ve ever heard. I won’t miss him, but I’m not happy to hear that the guy lost his dream job today. That sucks for him.
I don’t quite understand how you can simulcast a TV feed on radio. The style of calling is completely different. And the way Howie goes off on his stupid diatribes about things related nothing to the game of hockey, it will not translate well to radio at all.
Big disservice to the Isles fans here.
I rarely listened to the Islander radio broadcasts. Still this seems a little bogus to me. A simulcast of the TV announcers is gonna suck if you cant watch.
KP 22 - Well said, I completely agree. Another classless Isles move. In the words of Shawn Bates, “Argggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”
never could get any of the stations anyway.
I feel bad for them, but until the Islanders get a radio station that can be heard in NJ, it doesn’t matter to me who they have on radio as I can’t hear it anyway. It’s television or nothing for me.
Welcome to the real world - it stinks sometimes. Truthfully you couldn’t get the radio signal over most of LI so it’s a moot point. It doesn’t diminish their efforts, but it is what it is.
What bummer…very disappointing! Could be the reality and confusion of *todays* media colliding or perhaps some clueless bean counters….who knows. I loved these guys as announcers too…just a completely different direction and interpretation than TV…really enjoyed listening after leaving NVMC…of course last season that was the only place where I could actually pick up the signal!!!! LOL When the feed was on 1130 Bloomberg I would listen to the Isles games all of the way to the Canadian border on ski trips…Maybe I am just old but growing up with *free* radio as a medium and stuff….man…end of an era.
I’m sorry Steve and Chris were let go but good people are losing there jobs everyday. Sport broadcasters are no better or worse than someone who works 9-5 losing there job. Calling this move low class is a bit much.
I think some people are blowing this way out of proportion. Yes I feel for these guys they did a great job and they will certainly be missed, but come on we are in a recession here. Everyone, including sports franchises, has to trim the fat somewhere and unfortunately for these gentlemen, radio broadcasts of hockey, especially the Islanders, is not a huge part of US hockey media coverage. I really do feel for the guys, they were great broadcasters, but would you rather the Islanders cut costs in something like their scouting department? I don’t mean to sound heartless here, it sucks they had to go but come on, THIS is the reason that we are going to end up in KC #9? That’s absurd.
As has been the case with everything this year, a bad decision to made to save some money. Same reason we have no enforcer, same reason we have no scorer, same reason we didnt add any d help. Fish or cut bait Wang.
Well said 30. Many of us know what it’s like to lose a job. Nothing is certain. I think some fans are taking this as another excuse to rip the Isles. If a person working 9-5 can lose there job so can a broadcaster. No difference.
Knowing Mears on a personal basis, this stings.
Awful, classless move by the Islanders. How can a NHL franchise not have its own radio broadcasting team? If Charles Wang is so concerned about costs, then just sell the team team. I wish them all the best. They are both true professionals and I hope they land on their feet.
CJ Papa has also been released by MSG, no replacement named per newsday..
Classless.
King has been around for my whole Islander fan career. I grew up listening to him dissect plays on air. Although Mears has only been around for a little bit, he was coming into his own.
I have missed the Wideman-King tandem for the past three years, now there is nothing left.
Every person working today has to understand it could be your last day at any moment. When you own a business you have to make the difficult decisions and that means getting rid of good people.
Couldn’t they can Sparky and not these two? Good luck to Chris and Steve wherever your careers may take you.
This is awful, terrible news. Give me a break already, a professional sports team in New York with no radio announcers? This is f—ed up. Kinger wears this organiztion on his sleeves, he is a Long Islander and belongs with this organiztion. Great way to promote Tavares with no radio broadcast. Nightmare decision Mr. Dey.
Sad. I’m gonna miss them. I remember walking by Steve Mears on my way out of the STH party a few years ago. I kinds yelled ‘OMG it’s Steve Mears!’. He waved and said ’see you saturday’ in his unmistakeable voice. I’ll miss that voice.
who cares, no one can hear anything or anyone on that FM station anyway. tell Dey to get a real radio station we can actually hear
One of my biggest frustrations the last year or two was trying to find the Islanders on the radio… I live in Queens and don’t have XM.. I think the sognal was so weak, if you didn’t live within 5 miles of the Coliseum, you didn’t pick up the games.. I hate to see anyone lose their job, but in my case it was like the Isles werent on the radio anyway…. Like television the last 5 years or so, there is no problem finding the Randers or Devils on tv or radio, but finding the Islanders on television, and especially the radio last year was virtually impossible… I thought as a subsciber to time warner cable, the Islander games were on more often last year then in season’s past, but the broadcast quality was horrendous… Looked loke the game was being transmitted from Mars… But that was better then the radio situation…
This sucks…enough said.
As an Islander fan residing in TN, I did not hear Mears and King on the radio. Know that the Nashville Predators had a radio team, then went to the simulcast and then back to a radio team. The listening experience both on the radio and television were sub-par in my opinion while the simulcast was in place.
Horrible move! The Flyers tried the simulcast route and they went back to the regular tv/radio broadcasts.This is the biggest market in north america and we should have our own radio broadcast team as well as a radio station with a strong,clear signal.During the Stanley Cup playoffs, I listened to John Wiedeman doing Chicago Blackhawks radio play by play on the computer and I admit it I missed him,But it is unfair to criticize Steve Mears because look how crappy the teams play has been during his tenure.
I also haven’t listened to the Isles on the radio since 1995 when I moved. I can still get WFAN here in Richmond, but you can’t even get the Isles in Brooklyn (so I hear). That being said, this is the last thing you want to do. TV and radio play-by-play and color are apples and oranges. TV guys can share what you BOTH observe. A radio man has a far more difficult job of painting the WHOLE picture with words.
I like Howie and Billy, but they will be under undue pressure to change their styles… or the radio broadcast will be horrible.
BAD DECISION.
I guess if they are doing this there won’t be any money to fix the dreadful ice surface.
wow. not good. seems like the team is trying to cut corners financially wherever they can. hopefully when the lighthouse is approved this changes.
I would say that I will miss them, but I live about 25 miles from the coliseum, so I don’t get the games on the Radio. They don’t make it easy to be a fan.
Looks like the son in law makes another brilliant move. This guy knew where to find his meal ticket.
This makes me angry and sad! What are all of us Doolin’s radio groupies going to do after the home games now? Sit in traffic while waiting to leave the parking lot??
UGH!!!
Best of luck to Chris and Steve in their future endeavors. I hope since this window has closed a door will open for you both.
To me it seems very Bush League to go with the simulcast. Especially with the Excitement of hopefully the Taveras era. It really is a shame as Mears and King are both solid announcers. I like Rose and Jaffe,but,it just seems very minor league.
This is a bummer. First of all the new radio coverage is lackluster to say the least. Second, these guys, Kinger specifically had a way of making the radio broadcast come alive. To change the vibe of some games I used to put the radio on and silence the TV, the talent he has for bringing play by play to life is HUGE. To me this is a step back.
In the article that’s going to be in the paper tomorrow, Logan says CJ Papa’s contract wasn’t renewed either. Guess he’s back to being the in-house reporter?
After reading many of these post’s.Another thing that is so minor league was having a radio station with such a weak signal. I t just seems like a move that doesn’t help promote the team,just making themselves look so minor.
i use to be a delivery boy at this pizza place and i remember as soon as i would leave i would listen to them on the raido and i loved them. I love billy and howie but i believe you need to have a crew tv and another radio. Now if im driving in a car i have to listen to howie and billy break down a replay of a play im not even going to see.
Strummer? preseason games? BWAAHAAA! you don’t get it, they ain’t doin no preseason games. actually, I remember sportschannel simulcasts in the late 70’s/early 80’s.
Very disappointing. Though the radiocasts last year were hard to get in Nassau County, Steve and Chris were so dedicated to the team and to improving the radio coverage of the Islanders, I can’t imagine the savings is enough to warrant what, as others described, is the bush league coverage a simulcast represents.
amateur hour all the way. first class(hell who am i even kidding) third class organizations get the games to their fans over every medium possible. there is no way to replicate a radio broadcast with a tv simulcast.
i mean what could these guys be costing the team. at most 150k a year??? its a valuable loss leader to have(cuz you know brooklyn college was not paying anywhere near that for the radio rights) and get on a radio station with a signal-give it away for free if you have to.
advertising(which a radio broadcast is) is always money well spent, ESPECIALLY in a recession.
hopefully they come to their senses and realize how insane this is
Boo!! Hiss!!
Half of the nonsense that is used by in-game operations is useless and tasteless. Rather than eliminate these, they’ve fired two classy gentleman that were excellent in their field. On another note, the two were simply great guys, and were a pleasure to speak with about the Isles, or about anything general. Rest assured, Chris Dey will hear from me, and I plead other Islander fans and season-ticket holders to do the same.
This sucks. Radio broadcasts and TV broadcasts should be completely different. Radio has to have way more detailed play-by-play, etc because you cant see the details. And how frustrating will it be to listen to the guys watch countless replays, or diagram something on the telestrator. Terrible move.
The statistician in me will note that the Isles won the Stanley Cup the last time they simulcasted games.
Very sad to hear this news — Chris and Steve worked verrrrrrrrrrry hard at their crafts and were a credit to the organization.
I’ve known Chris Forever, and Steve over the last couple of seasons. They are both pro’s-pros. Steve grew up a Penguin fan, and the great Mike Lange is in his 60’s; perhaps there will be an opening there sometime soon down the road. Hopefully there will be a place for Chris with the Islanders, somewhere!
this is horrible. 2 great guys. unbelievable. mears and kinger…you will be missed.
this is a shame… these guys were awesome. i remember listening to the post game with my dad on the way home from games all the time, it was almost ritualistic. im gonna miss em.. best of luck guys
CB….what is the best way for us to complain to the Isles? Should we go straight to Dey? Do you have an email or number? Thanks
I come in for games from the city and I could never even get reception for the pre or post game anyway. If you ask me it is bush league that the Isles don’t have a radio station that can even reach into queens. heck, I can’t even get reception in the parking lot. It makes no sense to pay a broadcasting team if no one can even hear them so I can understand that decision. I heard Mears is an up and coming talent and like what I have heard from him but Howie is a world class pro on TV and Radio so I cant see the play-by-play quality dropping off too much. And, since they did this in Buffalo, they obviously have a game plan to make it work…
CJ was never that good. He was kind of vanilla. Let Butch or King do the interviews.
Could Dey have waited any longer to tell these guys? I’m sure most teams have their broadcasting set up for the upcoming season. Raw deal for both, especially Mears. I’m sure the Isles will give King a job.
On the way home from the games we would always listen to the postgame and interviews, their recap was always worthwhile. It is a shame to eliminate the radio team. When you drop the radio broadcast and you only have a tv broadcast it feels different as the word pictures just are not painted the same way.
Just 2 more casualties of this great Obamaconomy!!
I cannot slam Isles for this…as we all know, they’ve had difficulty even getting a station to carry to carry broadcasts, and almost none of us could hear them anyone…if you read the recent PuckDaddy piece, or if you’ve been paying attention generally, it’s a new media environment for sports generally and the NHL in particular…as media evolves, most of the coverage is going to “specialty” forms like team-initiated coverage, newspaper blogs and independent blogs…the days of multiple beat writers, full TV and radio are over, and the Isles just happen to be in the lead, for better or worse, in adjusting
having said this, I’m sorry these guys lost their positions…I was not a big fan of Kinger when he started out, but I think he improved a lot over time and he grew on me…Mears was competent and professional at his job, but the most I saw him was on IslandersTV
Those who complain about this, two points. A. A few people made the recession comments…spot on. B. Have any of you actually listened to Buffalo Sabers games?
Mears, King, and CJ are ALL gone? Yeah thats just great. :/ And now they expect the Isles TV broadcast to be their radio broadcast too? What sucks about that is that to do so, they are probably going to change the two things I like best. They are probably going to take out Jaffes visual breakdowns of plays because they will not work over the radio. And, they are probably going to take out the post game interviews that they would always do over the radio as well because- well, now there is nobody left to do them. This sucks.
Horrible, idiotic decision. There are plenty of out-of-town fans that listen online–not to mention the ones that are on LI and had trouble finding the games anyway, and now we have to follow the Simulcast? It’s obvious that Howie and Jaffe will have to alter their coverage, and the effect will be to produce worse announcing for TV viewers and still-insufficient announcing for radio listeners. From the team that cut out the pregame, now this….ugh….and they cut them after utilizing their services for the draft coverage. Isles, this a bad decision, and the fans will suffer.
Steve and Chris–as we all know you’re reading this–you will be sorely missed. Best of luck, and always remember the wonderful appreciation that Isles fans have had for loving and giving a voice to our team.
Never cared for CJ. Not sure just why. Just seemed he just walked out of broadcasting school. Plus he was sickening with Stan.
Islanders radio broadcasts — as in reach and not production or actual play by play and color — has stunk forever. I live in Westchester and God forbid I ever get to hear the Isles on the radio! Sorry to hear these two guys got the ax but if you live outside Long Island you never got to hear them anyway. Another Islanders ownership amateur hour maneuver.
For every step forward this organization takes, it takes a step back. I hate this move. The Kinger and Mears are fantastic, and the Islander family will miss them immensely.
This is a sad day..first let me say these 2 were fantastic…
In general, the Islander announcers have bugged me for a long time. I can’t listen to someone announce for my team who clearly is rooting for the other team as Howie “Ranger” has been doing for years now. We have the only “home” play by play guy in the league who points out calls we supposedly get away with as opposed to what the other team got away with. Listen to ANY other teams announcers and it’s dramatically different.
I would even watch the game on mute while listening to the radio team because they were good announcers with an Islander perspective. Whoever is making decisions on the announcers should not have a job. This has been awful for a long time now. It’s bad enough we can’t ever get a call, it’s even worse when I have to listen to a Ranger fan call my teams game night after night.
Can we please get 2 announcers who know hockey and actually give an Islander perspective? This is madness
This is not a sign of anything other than the times. As a country, we are on the fast track to a depression. This is a business decision. The Islanders are not the only team. The Dallas Stars have been simulcasting for at least two years. With Denis Potvin in the same situation, the Panthers will be simulcasting. Now the New York Islanders. It’s not personal, it’s business, and has nothig to do with any of the broadcasters’ ability. It’s just at shame, that’s all… wow, I just felt like Phil Collins.
I feel bad about this but understand the move. The actions here have nothing to do with the future of the organization.
Recessions hit everywhere. I’m not too broken up about this, though I think a simulcast is stupid since Howie yammers on about crap instead of the play-by-play sometimes. How boring will that be on the radio. I won’t rip the Isles for this, and I’m not surprised at how many “fans” do rip the team. Yes, I know, you’ve been a fan for x many years, and look at what you had to endure, pobre sita. Sometimes the response by Islander fans is mind-boggling. Calm down. Losing King and Mears isn’t the end of the world. Good luck to them both, though. I enjoyed hearing them.
Nature of the beast I guess . I Still miss listening to Barry Landers & Jean Potvin on the radio. Classic Islanders !!
First they lose the strong radio signal. Then they fire the Ice Breakers and reduce the number of Ice Girls on the ice. Now they get rid of the radio broadcasters to go for a simulcast. What’s next-refuse to send Howie Rose and Billy Jaffe on road trips and have them broadcast to a tv picture? Start taking 12 hour bus trips to all teams in the Eastern Conference?
Pathetic. Classless. Minor league. They don’t have a clue how to market a franchise and advertise. They don’t care and do what they want no matter who complains as many did last season when they left a strong radio signal. No wonder nobody goes to the games anymore as nobody but here knows they exist.
If a tree falls in the forest and nobody hears it does it make a sound?
Radio signal is nonexistent here in Brooklyn. Broadcast is coming from college radio station and you can’t hear it anywhere… What was the point of paying good money for nothing? Till Isles get a good radio broadcast no need for broadcasters, in my opinion.
As someone who has worked in radio for the majority of this past decade it doesn’t really surprise me that the organization is cutting costs here. It’s unfortunately a dying medium. Simulcasting with TV seems like a mistake because it will seem like they are overdoing it on TV, but underdoing it on the radio. Well hopefully this is a failed experiment and we’ll get back a live radio telecast soon enough.
This sucks. Mears and Kinger did a great job and really cared about what they did. I loved the post game show as well. It was better than the tv broadcast. I assume it’s a result of the recession but apparently the Islanders are up in ticket sales.
Not cool.
Jim Clark #82. It’s like the movie Major League when Harry Doyle says “Well the Indians are still suffering from propeller lag..”
I hope it doesn’t become like that but this one sucks. Coming home from every game I listened to the radio show and at times when I had to work I listend to the game on the internet with the radio feed. What a joke.
Makes perfect sense from a business point of view. Everyone here is complaining that they can’t hear the broadcast anyway, so why all the drama? Personally I hate the move not because of who was let go but because now I’m stuck with Howie Rose even in the car, although I normally only listen to a handful of games while driving and with satellite radio you get the home team broadcast.
If saving this money now helps Charles Wang’s bottom line for the future of this team, I’m all for it.
Cost saving move by the Isles, nothing more nothing less. Take it from an accountant it’s happening everywhere. I wish them the best but I prefer listening to Howie and the Jaffe anyway.
This does stink. I spent most of the last two seasons listening to games on the radio. I hope King finds a home with the islanders again. They had a good show, at times much better than Howie (although Jaffe always brings his A game)… The real question is: Are the games still going to be broadcast on the little heard 94.3?
Replace Howie with Mears
Replace CJ with King
And bring back Deb!
Fixed!
To Nick G- I live in Rochester so I do watch the occasional Sabres game. You are right, Jeannerete’s play by play is way too descriptive because he needs to cater to his radio audience. I do like listening to Harry Neale, though.
thats a real shame, i always felt hockey was so exciting to listen to on the radio, especially with kinger, there were times i would even lower the volume on my tv and raise the volume of the radio broadcast and watch games like that. and i agree with #90 cj and kinger would be great to see calling the games for us.
Last season (in Brooklyn) games were broadcasted by Kingsborough Community College (aka Harvard on the Bay) but their signal was so awesome that living 2 miles away I heard more static than hockey.
But this sucks, cuz Mears and King did a great job
WoW! What a terrible move simulcast radio? Any another sports franchise doing this?? If not, we are sinking like the Titanic!
Wait… Cablevision did this??? First SMG now Cablevision… The Islanders need to rid themselves of both parties…
I brought a radio with me to 1 of the games so I could listen to the commentary and couldn’t get a signal for the game while IN the coliseum. They need to fix that before it matters who is commentating, although I dont see this as a sinking of the Titanic like some, it is unfortunate.
first they stop my islanders illustraded, now this, come on chris dey.
#95 The Islanders decided to fire them not cablevision. Cablevision had nothing to do with this. Read the article again.
i feel like i say the same thing on every post….good to see nobody over reacting here
THis is just horrible!
CJ Papa was like every guys guy. Fans loved him! He would ask questions that I was thinking when watching the games and he did it in a class act way.
It was refreshing to not watch the cookie cutter cynical line of questionaing - it was informative and he did it in a fun interesting way that made me not get off of my couch to grab a drink during those intermissions -I actually waited and watched because he is able to capture your attention.
Mears and King were awesome - I can not imagine not hearing them on that radio when I am unable to attend the games or catch them on tv. They kept me glued to that station even when the Isles were getting hammered by another team!
Bad move to get rid of these three guys.
Bad move.
I agree you couldn’t get the signal outside of a 1 mile radius. That is the bigger problem. The Isles have had some good radio and TV guus in the past - any body remember John Sterling (Islander Goal!, Islander Goal!)in the 70’s, how about George Michael, Tim Ryan, even Jiggs and Eddie. As much as the signal problem is bad, it is just an injustice to legacy of Isles broadcasters.
Replace CJ with Chris King
Horrible. Absolutely horrible.
Does this mean no more post game shows at the Coli?! I loved goin down there after the games! It was always good times!
C’mon Isles…all this good news and press and now this? Wake up will ya?!
Hey #99!!! You stole my posting ID!!!
Unfortunate. . both great guys.
Had a chance to chat with Chris King at Doolin’s Pub a few times over the years and really enjoyed his broadcasts and his obvious passion for the team. Remember talking to him after the Isles 3rd period collapse against the Canadiens last fall and he was as down / upset about it as all of us fans were.
Would be very disappointed if the Doolin’s Pub postgame show is discontinued, as well. Really enhanced the game experience!
Best of luck to both.
I’m upset that 2 heart and soul Islanders believers have been let go from our Team. Instead of making a cost cutting decision to let go 2 great announcers there should have been money spent on improving the signal of their quality broadcast. I live 7 miles from the coliseum and often after a game I couldn’t get the post game radio show…that’s weak! I’m sure that too many people missed out on Islander games due to this signal problem-and also missed out on 2 great broadcasters…I wish them both well in their future endeavors…hopefully we will hear of great success for both in the very near future!
Mears and King gave a totally different point of view vs. what is heard on TV.
Jaffe is excellent… but broadcasting a game to a radio audience is much different and you learned a lot from Mears and King.
Sorry to see them let go. I’m sure they were excited with the prospects of broadcasting the Tavares era.
DOC
This is awful, just plain awful who can we E-mail at the Islanders to complain? King was the Radio voice of the Islanders much in the way Jiggs and Eddie were the TV voice for so many years. Once again MSG toys w/ the Islanders, when there contract is over with MSG, they should go to SNY so Rangerland ( were there radio people fired ? ) will leave us alone.
What a joke! This organization just cannot get out of its own way. Are we really rooting for a team that is so poor that they can’t afford a radio team? Come on, this is pathetic by Wang. If you tell me its for one year and once the Lighthouse passes (lets hope), we’ll go back to radio i can live with it, but you know that once the cost is cut, it’s never coming back.
I thought they were great. A radio broadcasting team generally has a closer relationship with the fanbase, even in this day and age, than the TV team or the print/internet media (this blog being the exception to the rule, however). This is a penny wise/pound foolish move by an organization known for penny wise/pound foolish moves. Also, as someone in the comments to Neil Best’s blog wrote, what happens when the game is on Versus or NBC? No radio coverage at all or will the Islanders make arrangements to use the other team’s radio feed?
M-I-C-K-E-Y
M-O-U-S-E
Penny wise and pound foolish. Can’t see the forest for the trees. A joke.
C Dey is very clueless. NYI had the option of simulcasting and Dey CHOSE to get rid of radio announcers. Just like he CHOSE to ignore many fans complaining of the bad radio coverage last season by renewing the same lousy radio coverage for next season.
Dolan didn’t tell NYI to leave Bloomberg 1130, that was Dey’s decision. And they wonder why this minor league run franchise always has the lowest attendance and ratings. It’s because of off ice things things like this along with the on ice product. The marketing has sucked forever it’s now at new lows.
For the biggest market in the country not to have the team’s games heard on clear terrestrial radio with their own radio announcers is ridiculous. This is the NY metropolitan tri-sate area NOT Buffalo or Dallas. I can’t stand Howie Rose and would turn the sound down on the TV to listen to the radio guys.
Not that this will ever happen in our lifetimes but what happens if NYI ever makes it past the 2nd round of the playoffs? That’s when local TV coverage ends and all the games go to Versus or NBC or TSN or HNIC. Do we get those TV feeds simulcasted on the radio?
Can’t wait for a decision on the Lighthouse so Wang can sell the team and take his bonehead son in-law with him or wake up and fly right.
It’s time the people who run this organization wake up. First, how about getting a radio station you can actually hear out of the Coliseum parking lot. Second King and Mears did a great job and were passionate about the team. Really sad this happpened.
Howie and Jaffe are famous for going off on side conversations and joke-telling adventures during the play. Does anyone think that’s going to translate well to radio when you can’t just ignore them and watch what’s going on in the game? I guess this is the latest indicator that the wallet is closed when it comes to the Isles…they’re not even going to pay for announcers for their high quality awesome radio feed that probably broadcasts out of a closet somewhere.
(108)
Dead right.
I don’t know how many times my friends and I have said over the past twenty years that WE could do a better job running the Islanders than ANY of these owners/gm’s. What seems a slam dunk they turn into a debacle.
Who did they sell their souls to for those four cups, anyway?
I think it’s funny how people here are getting so bent out of shape about this. I don’t know about you but I don’t care who’s calling the game I just want to hear that the Islanders win.
Unfortunately, this is how the sports broadcasting business is going. Its very difficult for a team to break even or make money on a radio deal when they are paying radio stations to put the games on the air. Still, its unfortunate that it came to this because Steve and Chris are solid professionals and more importantly they are good people. It will be very hard to follow a TV call on the radio so I’m wondering if Howie will do a radio call on TV.
Also, what happens when Isles are on Versus and/or they get games on NBC?
I’m sorry to see them go. I’ll miss the post-game shows that my sons and I would listen to on our way home from the games. I must be one of the lucky ones, because the reception has been fine the last few years (94.3 fm) driving home on Southern State. I hope they both land on their feet.
However, to rip the Isles as low-class and sinking like the Titanic is overboard. As sad as it is to to see these guys lose their jobs, its happening all over - its business.
All this negativity is killing my Tavares buzz.
WOW - I’m shocked by everyone’s reaction. I think posts 29 and 30 said it best. Not only is this a business where people move around often for many reasons, but this is a business like any other. If they can leverage the TV call for a much lower rate then what it costs to pay 2 people to do the radio call, why would they not? Because they’re good guys that have good voices?? I enjoyed the radio broadcast as much as anyone else - but please, do not call this classless, or say anything about how this means they’re moving to KC. It’s insane…
in brooklyn i haven’t been able to hear radiocasts since the bloomberg days, so for me this is not a big loss from that perspective. what troubles me is looking at this in the context of a lot of other moves, non-moves and business decisions. there has been almost no mention of - in the event the LH is approved - where the private financing wang/reck say is going to build this thing will be gotten. where is the dough going to come from? at this point, do we know that even they are sure they can still get it? if the answer is NO, then this mears/king cut could logically be seen as another step in a winding down in preparation of a sale. if recent (apparent) movement and optimism on the LH, the buzz surrounding JT, and even the reported upturn in ticket packages we’ve heard about, were really so encouraging to wang in termns of the future, would they have made this move? i’m back to being worried again.
For anyone who is really concerned about this - aside from the real issue of two men losing their jobs in an economy and time where millions are getting the same deal - how often did any of us listen to 94.3 or whatever they were on last year? As a long-time fan already, I’m used to the signal being staticky as I try to listen to the postgame when leaving the Coliseum. Being on 930, 1240, 1100, FM for a while in the mid-90s on 92.7, etc…aside from those few years that we were on a real radio station, its been a long time since being able to listen to the games on radio was something done by anyone other than those living within 100 feet of the broadcast tower, or friends and family of the broadcasters.
I have no problem with the TV guys - obviously, Howie, who I think is decent and entertaining, and hell, has been with us now for long enough where he’s called just far too many crappy games - needs to condense his stories and make it more palatable for radio. Jaffe sounds to me like a real radio guy already. It is what it is. Radio hasn’t been the medium to listen to Isles games for a while, and we’re hemmoraghing money. State of facts.
Just hope the two find jobs - King is a lifelong Isles guy, and I’m sure he’ll be here in some capacity, and Mears seems like he’s on his way up.
People!!!! Take it easy on the Organization. The whole summer a large portion of you have been praising the Organization for the moves in the draft and building a strong future. “Things are turning around” we’ve all said. Now they get rid of the radio team and the Organization sucks again??? No one wants to see anyone lose a job….but…many are and that’s life…they’ll be alright soon enough. We are not winning or losing a cup because we have no fighters or radio personalities.
This is a terrible decision, not just because King and Mears are great broadcasters and great guys from the chances I’ve had to meet them. It’s also wrong to the fans listening on the radio who now have to put up with a half-ass tv broadcast that will be confusing to listen to. The Islanders need to find other ways to save money because this is just embarrassing, yet again. Can we PLEASE be a real franchise for once?
Yes CJ’s spots were useless, I say re-tool them and put King there. Sorry to hear these guys are gone, I need the radio broadcast for the first period usually but the signal was terrible. I understand the decision and have faith in Billy and Howie.
I am fan since ‘75, and I gotta tell you, this decision stinks! You would think after making the correct choice with JT, that this would be the last resort to trim the fat. A great fan reaction with JT, ticket sales up, and finally STARTING to get this franchsie back on the map, and this is the best they can do??? So much for the marketing stragety from all all angles and to continue on this POSITIVE road we have been on since June 26, 2009. As post #99 stated, there have always been good voices on the radio side, and Mears and Kingger were/are good, they wore the Isles colors on their sleeves. How many teams in NHL simulcast? NOT many, the radio side has ALWAYS been the homer side since I can remember, and now it’s gone…STINKS,SUCKS! Do we really need the ice girls/sparky the dragon just to name a couple of areas? I’m sure they were making a whole lot more from a financial side, but man, removing 2 good, key people from the radio side would of been MY last resort, guess that’s why I don’t own an NHL franchise, good luck to us, AGAIN! To Mears and King, good luck to you, thanks for a great job, and in closing, I’m not crazy about our current two some on the TV side, let’s not forget where Howie came from, and Jaffie, dry as a prune, pissed me off on his remarks on NHL Live regarding if the Isles should choose Duchesne over Taveras. Any one else think that Mears/King on the TV side would of been great, with energy and personality? Hmmm, they got my vote! Geez, I usually stay positive, but as many have stated, one forward, two back…
Bigger issue……why don’t you all bash SNY, WFAN, NBC, ABC, CBS, WOR, and PIX for their LACK of Islander coverage over the years…..it’s like the Organization doesn’t exsist.
Makes no difference to me, since I live in northern Westchester County. I haven’t been able to pick up Islanders radio broadcasts in years.
Please don’t use the girl Dina to do pre & post game on TV,…..that would be a horrible move and would look even worse than this move. Please use Chris King, not Butch, King could even fill in for a few games for Howie - No matter who they pick that person should Know Hockey like King or Deb Placey. This is just another cost cutting move by the low budget Islanders….they are over hyping Tavares to cover up for the fact they aren’t picking up any free agents. I hope all of the people buying tickets are thinking this year will be a huge turnaround from Last year, they are still going to finish in the bottom 5 of the NHL. Don’t let the Tavares smokescreen cloud your ticket buying judgment this year. Wang only cares about the Lighthouse Project and the Islanders are just a pawn in the game to get this project… Look below:
Subtracted: Added:
Guerin 4.5 Tavares 3.6
Comrie 3.5 Roloson 2.5
Sillinger 2.3
Hilbert 700
Pock 685
Joey Mac 500
Danis 500
McAmmond 400
Savings of about 7 mil
Back to in game stuff:
My opinion is Rich Barabi the in game guy highlights guy should have been let go before King & Mears….they don’t even show full highlights of what happened b/c they only show Islander high lights….so if you are at the men’s room….and comeback 2 min later - you don’t know who scored for the other team - on top of it the Islanders not have many highlights on their own. Show full highlights….save the in between period player interviews for the people at home watching on TV. People don’t really need to see Tim Jackman trying to explain what happened in the 1st period when the islanders are losing 3-0.
Bring back the find the puck under the helmet on the scoreboard, that’s something everyone likes…including kids
Sorry for the rant but that is just my opinion
If Islanders radio was a commercially viable enterprise that could actually generate revenue through advertising, this wouldn’t have happened.
But it’s not and has not been for a very long time.
An unfortunate, but inevitable move.
I thought the timing of this announcement after reading the Sports Business Journal article on new media was interesting. The Islanders have been very proactive using the Internet, and this decision makes me think they did not believe they were getting the value out of the radio medium that they were looking for. Living in NJ, I was frustrated not being able to get the game on the radio often enough.
I dont think a simulcast is an effective long term solution, but I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt for now. There are obvious budgetary constraints on this organization. Havent we talked about this ad nauseum now? I dont think we should be surprised until/unless the Lighthouse is approved and there is an influx of (potential or realized) revenue.
Lost in the whole mix is that fact that you get a better broadcast team on the Radio. Nothing against Mears and King, but Howie and Billy are a huge upgrade. Even if it is the TV broadcast. Howie really is one of the best in the business. I always felt that Mears and King sounded minor league.
I think that if they were going to do this - that I wish they let the guys know back in April or March - so that they could pursue other opportunities. Sports is not immune to the economy. My first blush was to spraypaint the situation as a horrible cheap-o driven event - but on second review - I just wish this did not have to happen. Here’s hoping that they land another gig soon and I wish both guys well.
Instead of firing these guys they bee to fire that chick who does Isles Illustrated. She’s a hottie but annoying.
that’s really disapointing, I always put the radio on to listen to the FANTASTIC post-game on the car ride home from NCC.
For those saying that this is a business and in this economy things like this happen—come on. In the overall scheme of things, how much is this going to save the Islanders on their bottom line? Perhaps I’m wrong, but I don’t think the radio guys pull down a huge chunk of change. Their profile with the fan base is a lot higher than their salaries. Again, pennywise and pound foolish. They should not be firing the people who connect with the fanbase.
The only thing that matters to Dey and Wang is the balance sheet.
So that is why you will have this youth movement for the next 3-4 years.
Dey and Wang will keep their knife sharp.
Best of luck to Kinger and Steve, they did a great Job!
Sorry to Repeat Myself.
But had to vent my 2-Cents Here also, on this forum, aka the “Better Blog”:
How does James Dolan continue to get away with his coluding, conflicted interest monopoly?
Also how is he still allowed to use it to impose his will on his on ice rival and business competitor?
Someone explain to me the rationale for not also cutting the Ranger Radio Broadcast?
Somebody Call 911
A crime has been committed on Long Island (again).
something tells me the islanders and radio have been a money losing venture for years…it never was executed properly because of ever-changing station frequencies. they could have made it a success, but the risk in investing in a good station probably didnt justify the risk they were taking. very sad, as it was exciting listening to them on XM all these years.
How about they get rid of that useless announcer Howie Rose instead of these 2?
Does it even matter . they were broadcast on a frequencey that came in only in a 4 mile radius, joke. Wanger makes his money in tech but you can t watch the Isles in HD unless you subcumb to Dolan and his evil Cablevision empire. Is it really too much to be able to watch the game in HD and have a couple radio announcers? But we are still paying Milbury …
I have to say I really just don’t care. The Isles have offered King a job on tv and there’s talk of getting him a full time gig with the organization. Mears is young and now thanks to the Islanders has three years experience doing the radio thing so he will find another job. There are many people in the country that are in dire straits right now so I’m suprised that there are Islander fans who have chosen this non issue to use as a platform to bash their own team. I guess some people aren’t happy unless they have something to complain about.
Great post by #127. You can add those morons at ESPN to that list as well in their treatment of not only the Islanders but the whole NHL. Last I checked, college sports wasnt professional! Those morons are more into gossip and athletes criminal records. They actually had Pacman Jones footage from inside a Strip Club on ESPN. How bad has ESPN! Wasnt hockey the first pro sport they covered! It certainly wasnt the NBA or NFL. I wish ESPN had competition against their monopoly!
Simulcasts suck. It’s bad enough that television broadcasters in damn near every sport already feel the need to fill every second of air time despite the fact that we can see what’s going on, but now Howie and Billy are going to be encouraged to talk EVEN MORE for the 10 or 20 people who can actually hear the radio broadcast.
That said, people, please stop acting like the Isles are the first team to do this. They’re not even the first “MSG team” to do it. I hate it, too, but we can’t really be surprised about anything like this happening these days.
Best of luck to both Mears and King. I’d like to think Chris will get that opportunity to stay with the organization. He could certainly handle the in-game stuff CJ did, and someone has got to continue the post-game shows from Doolin’s. I looked forward to those every time we made the trip to the Coliseum.
It sounds like there’s a good chance Kinger will get picked up for the Islanders’ broadcast now that Papa was let go.
And………….It just keeps getting worse! What a joke of an organization. I’m pretty sure no other team does this. We are just the little joke team in work boot wearing Long Isalnd. Hopefully the light house falls through and they can some how move to Brooklyn.
Step back from the ledge everyone.. Sorry that these guys lost their jobs.enjoyed listening to them when I had the chance.. I just lost mine so its the sign of the times.. Here’s to a brighter future for us all.Let’s go Islanders!
Wow, people are crying that King and Mears were let go??? The economy is in the crapper, US car companies are crumbling, 10’s of 1000’s of people are being laid off every month. It’s a sign of the times. This is a biz decision and should be looked at as such. Why is no one screaming about the marketing person or sales guy that got laid off?
Let’s look at it from another point of view. $$’s are going to be cut somewhere. Would you guys rather Mears and King be fired or potentially see the Isles cutting different aspects out of the budget? What if it came down to the radio team or the “new media”? Which would you rather keep.
THIS WAS THE ISLANDERS CHOICE NOT CABLEVISION!!!! WHAT IS WRONG WITH SOME OF YOU PEOPLE????
Very sad to hear, as I grew up listening to Chris King broadcast a countless number of games. I still remember riding home from a hockey game and listening to King ecstatically broadcasting the Isles game against the Blues when Palffy came back after his hold out like it was yesterday. You’d think since it’s only 2 employees, they could have figured something out to keep them on board. Hopefully they’ll have King replace CJ Papa, as hearing Chris’ voice inside the coliseum at games would be great. Good luck to both guys!
I really hope #140 isn’t serious. Howie is one of the best in the business.
OK enough with the pity, lets talk Islander’s hockey. like every honest AMERICAN get another job guys…..
Even though I wasn’t a Fan of both of those guys as Announcers it’s pretty obsurd and I’m pretty sure it’s a First of it’s kind for a Professional Sports Franchise (I would think) that operate like that for it’s Telecasts. Whoever was behind this really should be ashamed of themselves. It’ll be impossible for the TV Announcers to convey across the airwaves what they see on the ice. They’re not going to be able to pull off a Michael Kayesque “wearing the Interlocking N Y” and things like that. How much money are they going to save by doing things this way? As it is we’re already at the LOWEST end of the cap.
Yes, we look like a real first class NHL team by firing our radio team BUT make sure we keep the Ice Girls, Sparky and that airhead arean hostess!!
Steve S.- yes I’m serious. Howie is a rangers fan and it shows, there’s no emotion when he calls the games. Listen to a Mets game on the radio or a rangers game from when he was their announcer, the differences are startling.
This is sound business decision. I liked both of them but it only makes sense.
Stupid, low class idiots.
Why would I want to hear Howie (ranger fan) rose on the radio too now? The only way I enjoyed watching the game was if I turned down the sound and turned on the radio. Just another bs move to get rid of more good people. Jiggs, Barry Kinger, etc. I don’t want to hear a ranger fan call the isles games
Way too many crybabies on this site. Way too many!!!!
how many other teams are using a simulcast?
Islander games can be heard on the radio? News to me!!!
If it alters Howie’s play by play style to be a bit more focused, then I’m all for it.
At the risk of being controversial, how about firing the guy who does the Mandarin Chinese broadcast for the SAP setting instead.
Both Steve Mears and Chris King were enjoyable listens. Unfortunately, I only got to listen to a little of their broadcast on game days because of the lack of range of their station (Cross Island Pkwy and in). Hockey radio play-by-play is one of the toughest things to do in sports broadcasting and he handled it with aplomb.
Mears got a great opportunity with the Islanders, considering his age, and he is ahead of the curve for broadcasters of his age and experience. He’ll land on his feet quickly. I think Mears is a Pittsburgh guy, so it would be nice if he could land with the defending Cup champs.
As for Chris King, I identify a lot with him, as he was an everyman (computer engineer) who became a broadcaster. It gave me hope to one day make the jump from computers to broadcasting. King is a Long Island original, which makes this hard to take, and was with the Islanders since the dark days.
I also think Howie Rose is one of the best in the business and I like Billy Jaffe’s analysis. But, as it has been said in this thread, radio broadcasting and TV broadcasting are two different things. You are appealing to a different audience with a different setup. Talking on picture would hurt the radio audience, just as over-analyzing the action on the ice would be superfluous on TV.
The Islanders TV and radio broadcasts have been a bright light in a difficult few years for the franchise. The New York area has been blessed with top-notch announcers for most of their teams. Cutting the original coverage in half hurts the fans, the brand, and, most importantly, the franchise.
In a time of shrinking media and shrinking travel budgets for traveling media, the Islanders should be on the offensive and provide more and varied coverage, as their team will quickly become worth watching (and listening to) again.
What’s next? Stopping Newsday from having Greg Logan travel with the team?
CB–there’s some chatter out there that this is another move made by Wang to set the team up to be sold…do you think this, coupled with the supposed desire to the play the young guys, and lack of activity in UFA market, both of which keep the a payroll near the floor, has any merit?
Maybe Charles can put Chris Dey into the Lighthouse Group and get him out of the hockey franchise. As long as Dey is involved with the Isles, the Islanders will continue to be a Mickey Mouse organization, worse than the NJ Devils ever were before Lamoriello. Now, if I can just talk my wife into giving up our season tickets…
Notwithstanding the financial shape of the country, this is crummy. But, will someone please tell me where on the radio dial will the game and post-game be broadcast. It can’t be 1050 because they carry the Knicks and Rangers. If both of them are playing I think 1560 is the alternate. So where do we hear the Isles?
Billy Jaffe is a great guy, Howie Rose is nice but he should stick to the Mets. Who will be out there for the guys? Boo!
165- The games are broadcast on 94.3 FM. It is a local station out east that goes out of reception here in Rockville Centre. It’s terrible. This organization continues to display classless character, something they continually say they want on their team, but have none of in their upper management. Kinger and Mears weren’t the best, but they were damn good. And definitely a lot better than Howie Rose, who goes on about 50 tangents a game on topics unrelated to hockey. Sad day, once again ashamed to admit I am an Isles fan.
I hope they do not mess with Dina the Arena Hostess.
I’m surprised people are justifying the team’s decision by falling back on “it’s the economy” arguement. To me, this is part of the cost of doing business. As a business owner, there are certain expenses that don’t necessarily contribute directly to the bottom line.
As yourself these questions:
How much money is being spent on the marketing push behind the lighthouse?
How many $$ are we under the cap?
Did ticket prices go down?
Are the Rangers cutting their radio team? How about the Devils?
Plan and simple, this is a bush league move by a bush league franchise.
Furthermore, if you watch any games on TV, you will be affected by this move. Like a previous poster mentioned, Howie will have to change his game up. In radio, you need to be very descriptive. How will this “radio-friendly” broadcast affect the games you watch on TV.
If they can’t afford to pay 2 radio announcers, how will they finance the Lighthouse project if approved?
Dumb move.
Hey 155 — Better throw on that Leafs game again with Bates’ penalty shot.
Maybe if Howie called more victories, he’d show more emotion?
Classless - Come on people you need to wake up. It is so easy for some of you to spend Charles’ money, doesn’t he lose enough already.
The economy sucks. Companies are cutting back everyday the Isles are no different. Its not like the radio broadcast was a bringing big revenue and King/Mears probably cost a couple hundred thousand dollars a year in salary/benefits.
I am sure King/Mears are great guys but how many folks listen to the radio? Does it warrant their salaries and productions costs? If the radio broadcast was such a money maker do you think the isles would be cutting them? The Isles bleed money and like someone said better that they cut the radio broadcast rather than the scouting department.
I have to say … I really linked Kinger … Mears I have to say that I don’t think I ever heard him on the radio since I haven’t gotten good reception of the Isles radio in several years. This included when I lived on Staten Island.
I think it’s a wave of the future … The Isles aren’t breaking new ground here. I think in the near future every Pro team will have their own digital channel on a radio station. Temporary setback for King and Mears.
Just like the cable industry created more jobs in TV broadcasting … eventually digital radio should supply more channels for less operating costs then the current analog.
It is conceivable that WFAN or ESPN 1050 can carry 8 local games at one time. It’s just a matter of economic impovements.
Great potential technologies & job opportunities on the horizon for digital radio.
Attention Chris Dey radio & tv are very different. Mears & King had to paint the picture & did a great job. Most of the greatest sports calls were done on radio. I like Rose & Jaffe but painting what can all can see on tv will get really annoying for the viewer. Holding back screws the radio listener. Good Luck Steve, Chris, & CJ!!! Maybe Obama’s next stimulus package can save you. Yeah Right!
For what it’s worth … I’m not implying that this is what the Isles are doing this year … it’s a setback … but in the not to distant future when local radio cuts to ALL digital (pending a larger integration of digital radio receivers in the marketplace) the Isles will be able to have a dedicated channel … or local WFAN / ESPN radio stations can assign special event channels for games to their digital air waves.
Kinda like how there is like 6 HBO channels on cable
i think a lot of people also fail to realize what this does to the islanders overall communications team.
since last season, they have DISMANTLED any semblance of a communications staff, letting go of vp’s, web site writers, pr people and now broadcasters (both kinger and mears were employed by the isles, unlike rose, jaffe and papa). the only person theyve held on to is, no offense, mr. botta, who does a great job, but runs a site not monitored by the team (aka, not the ‘teams’ message).
its really a joke and embarrassing how the islanders have NO commitment to informing their fans. if botta (and to a lesser extent, logie) wasnt around, no one would even hear about this stuff. terrible.
and really classy waiting until summer was almost over to make this decision. i guess it was a ‘nice’ move to let mears go to montreal for the draft before they let him go.
sorry to hear them go but i dont get the games on free radio in staten island which is a bigger joke
Pretty Bush league for an NHL team to simulcast there tv broadcast on the radio, if you ask me. Why can’t the Islanders run there team like an NHL franchise
It sucks that both of them lost their jobs. The Isles decided to go in another direction. They were not fired but their contracts were just not renewed. It happens all the time in all sorts of jobs. It also happens to these young prospects who play hard and they are not signed to a future contract. Like most of us have said we can hardly get the radio station on Long Island or any where else. There is no pregame show and you hardly know what station is going to carry the game. That should be a bigger concern then King and Mears. Maybe the simulcast will work better and if it doesn’t they can switch back. I think the Isles do a lot of things well and a minor thing like this and everyone goes crazy and calls us bush leaguers. As someone said above the Flyers tried this and the main thing is that we should worry about what is going on the ice and in the minors then the radio booth. I do not remember when msg took Joe M and Deb Kaufman away from us. We got a great guy with Jaffe although Joe Papa and that other guy I can live without.
I feel bad for both of the guys, but I’ll be honest, outside of MLB , which on the radio is great summer background listening, I can’t remember the last time I listened to a professional sport on the radio. Even the mighty NFL, I can’t remember the last time I dialed into a Giants game. I either have my butt in front of a TV or I TIVO it for later
As sad as this is, I wouldn’t doubt in 5 years most of the NBA and NHL radio teams in mid markets dismantled.
Are they kidding?!?!?!?!?! There is a big difference between radio and T.V. broadcasts. I listen to more than 1/2 the games due to my job and this is another move to make the Islanders look like a 2nd class minor league team!
First chance to respond, just a rediculous decision. Now we are left with a Ranger fan in Howiew (Matteau)Rose as the only voice for the Islanders, truly disgusting!!! I only watch a few games on TV (the ones with Giggs are required)because of Rose and now they have taken the radio away too. It is almost as if they are intentionally driving their fans away. I go back as a kid to Bob Lawrence on WGBB and John Sterling on WMCA. I will really miss Kinger and grew to like Steve but what do I matter I just have been a fan since 1973 and Chris Dey who knows about as much about hockey as the Jamaican bobsled team is making these kind of decisions. Just like the end of Botte this decsion sucks!
A professional sports team must have a radio team. The radio signal has been terrible for ever. I can’t believe more of you dont have XM! The NHL on XM is teriffic and fans from around the country can hear Islander games crystal clear. Unfortunately it wont be with its own pair of announcers. I hope they reconsider this decision, which devalues the entire franchise.
For a team trying so hard to compete against the (unfortunately) more popular rags and more winning devs in the NY market, you’d think a veneer of professionalism would smooth the rebuilding process. Instead, they make a move roundly criticized by the fans and does nothing to generate more interest in the team. How much did the organization save in the process? they’re already operating at a deficit, so it obviously wasn’t a make or break kind of decision.
The more and more I think about this, the more pissed I get, AND as post #181 stated, “MATTEAU,MATTEAU, MATTEAU!” just keeps playing OVER and OVER in my head, not good… And an excellent point stated above me, how much did the team save in this rather bogus cut? I still feel VERY strong about what I posted earlier, Mears/King would of got my vote for TV side! Now I am having really BAD old visions, one is, DON MALONEY as GM!!!! Christ, I need a beer…Sorry, this should be a positive time for all of us as we head into this season with JT, it’s just so many years of this crap! NOT easy to forget…
AND our beloved Trots behind THEIR (Rags) bench as head coach??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Going for the bottle of Whiskey along with that beer…
should have fired howie and billy put mears and king on TV ..so much more exciting