HEMPSTEAD STOPS REVIEW OF LIGHTHOUSE
LDC no longer paying the Town’s consultant
11:30 pm - In a story first reported by B.D. Gallof of Hockey Independent, Newsday plays catch-up in Wednesday’s print edition. (Warning: you may have to pay $250 to open this link). In short, the Lighthouse Development Corp. has stopped paying the Town of Hempstead’s consultant, F.P. Clark Associates of Westchester County, so the Town has “halted its review” (bwahahahaha!) of the project. Charles Wang and company stopped paying Clark on Sept. 9. They’ve already paid $550,000. They allegedly owe $175,000. Something tells me the consultant shouldn’t bother checking the mail every day. Happy holidays. Comments.
112 Responses to HEMPSTEAD STOPS REVIEW OF LIGHTHOUSE
LDC no longer paying the Town’s consultant
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BillyIsle says:
Will Charles Wang own this team if the Lighthouse fails?
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ron says:
Noooooo Future!
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Steven says:
Funny about the TOH stopping something. When did they even start working? That’s why were in this mess. Time to look to Brooklyn and let the TOH get back to doing what they do best. Nothing.
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JustinChi says:
I’m wondering why Balsillie hasn’t tried to buy the Islanders? Why was he so set on the Coyotes?
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isles316 says:
I think this answers my question as to why they didn’t pick up Aaron Ward or anyone for that matter this season to help the defense.
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Hextall72 says:
Justin, the isles haven’t been put for sale, yet..
Seems to be all but dead..
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Time to leave the minors and head to the major leagues, i.e. Queens/Brooklyn, where there is a history and experience of things getting done. The Town is an absolute joke.
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Dan says:
The Town of Hempstead and their friends always want something more. This time it is money. Does Kate Murray want the complex to be named after her. I do not know all the environmental stuff that is goingon but I gather if she really wanted it she would work her butt off to get it done when all she seems to do is talk out of turn and try to make herself look like it is Wangs fault and she is the innocent bystander just trying to save Hempstead’s future.
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Matthew Dillner says:
Long after Kate Murray is gone and a forgotten figure in local politics, residents of Long Islands will wonder why they don’t have a professional sports team. It’s sad.
TOH does not like progress.
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tom says:
ENOUGH, LEAVE. Let them enjoy their empty hofstra football field, empty cement coliseum lot. This is just a shame but enoughs enough. How much abuse can this owner take?
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JPinVA says:
For thirty years the town has put a noose around the throat of the Islanders. By the time Wang rode in on his PALE HORSE the team was destined to hang. Add his attempt to (with absolutely no regard to the team) build the gallows, and this is one dead puppy. THE NYI need to be divorced from that property. That removes the noose, and gives them a new LEASE on life.
A SPORTS ARENA WITH NO MASS TRANSIT ACCESS IN 2015+ MIGHT NOT WORK. (85) -
I don’t care how good the team is. It’s been said that even if the team sells out through the stanley cup they would operate in the red. The only thing that would put them in the black is the money coming in from the real estate. THAT SPELLS BANKRUPTCY… and that will eventually lead to TUMBLEWEEDS.
Sell the team. Let it move. Develop that land without a sport arena.(70) -
Trying to save Hemstead’s future? By blocking progress, retail space, potential community growth, tourism and having a professional sports team. Oh yeah, and jobs. Good job to the ultimate roadblock, Kate Murray. The future of Hempstead is clearly in wonderful hands.
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Mike L says:
I guess so much for the hope that Mangano’s election meant the Republicans could work together to help pass the project
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izzo says:
Mike L, I never bought that. Mondello always publicly said he was not behind the project. Why would a Republican county executive IMPROVE the probability of this project being done?
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Yeah Izzo I’m with ya. As long as Mondello is around there will probably be little, if any, development in the county. But right now I’m clinging to blind hope that something good has to happen
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Terrance says:
I don’t understand. If Wang has been telling us the truth and this is almost a $4,000,000,000 project, then why on earth is he even allowing this $175,000 payment to give TOH any excuse at all to block him and his project?
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Eastonhockey says:
1..2..maybe 3 more years of this Wang character till he sells I hope…please please please…even if a new owner tries to move team that’s not as tough to watch Wang hockey for another 10 years.
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Brendan says:
Coyotes are more easily relocated than the Islanders. Despite all the ‘gloom-and-doom’ Isles’ fans love to spread, the league would fight an Islanders move out of the area more than they would fight a Coyotes move. And the league did fight for Phoenix to stay, so one could imagine how difficult it would be to move a four-time Cup champion [out of the relative New York area].
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Ethan K says:
Brendan – I don’t think there will be much fight, when the Isles will mostly move close by. We’re not moving across a country. And Gary Bettman agrees 100 percent that the Islanders need a new arena.
Move to Brooklyn, focus on the team. That’s what must be done.
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Pete, #1. I think that is wishful thinking. Mr Wang is a patient man however his patience has run out. I dont see this team in Brooklyn, I see this team in Canada somewhere. I dont quite know how I will handle this if this does come to fruition. This would be worst news ever as far as I can recall.
22
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Matt says:
Brooklyn will bring more sell outs too. with a LIRR train going to it or a subway stop.
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Jim Clark says: What kind of attendance would Brooklyn (or any city) have for a franchise that has gone 15 years without winning a playoff series?
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Mike from Oceanside says:
IMO, the concept of Mr. Wang’s relocation of the club to Brooklyn or Queens is absurb, and anyone buying into that idea is living a pipedream.
By all accounts, it seems the two avenues were either The Lighthouse Project or a For Sale Sign (which will directly lead to a relocation of the club to a far away land).
I just don’t get it…Why are there so many communities clamoring to obtain a professional franchise while this will be the second time a local government our metropolitan area that chases away a major league club (see Brooklyn Dodgers)?
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adam m says:
does this mean the lighthouse project is dead?? hope not
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gary says:
Not good—Newsday report did question the amount as the invoice said 83k or something like that so they were questioning the amount in the last sentence–shakedown
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Will C. says:
WTF. This is so out of hand its insane. Just sell us and move us so I know where to cheer. This is terrible for our storied franchise, the LAST true American Dynasty club.
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Islander86 says:
Just wander how much Murray is making on the deal with the “Consulting Company”.
Gentlemen, it is ALL about money !
I’m sure the lady is involved for money with other parties (construction companies).
I do not think that project is dead. contrary it attracted alot of developers looking at 77 acre. -
Quez says:
Sad. So sad. When the Isles are gone and there are tumbleweeds rolling down Hempstead Tpke., Kate Murray can hang her hat on the TOH’s main attraction The Courtesy Hotel! Thanks Kate.
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Frank nyc says:
Hey Isles we have a nice open space in willets for you come by. We’ll make one of the Philadelphia’esque sports complexs for you. Youll be right next to citi field. it’ll be fun.
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Blizzard says: …….considering how much Wang has invested already it would seem that 170,000 bucks is small if they where considering moving forward with the project. Kind of seems like the writing is on the wall IMO. At this point, any local move is all we can hope for.
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miket239 says:
Nassau is a corrupt dump. The Isles would be better off GETTING OUT OF NASSAU COUNTY. I dont see what the big deal is moving out of Nassau and into Queens or Brooklyn. If thats such an issue, maybe Mr Wang has always been in it JUST FOR THE REAL ESTATE??? Maybe the Isles will become the new Nordiques in time…that would be kinda cool. Seems they are destined to fail in NY, well at least in the county of Nassau/town of Hempstead. F Nassau Co. and F SMG, they combined to kill the Islanders.
R.I.P.
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Jim says:
Kate is on the Take! of course she doesn’t want development, unless she is getting paid off then she is all for it. She is incompetent and we are stuck with her. All the bad things about LI start with her and Gary Hudes. His nose is so far up there it isn’t even funny. Yes biss, yes boss. Heehee!
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Incedible after all of these years, more of the same stalling effect by the TOH. Please CW sell this team to Brooklyn or Queens and get us Islander fans out of this everlasting agony. With no end in site by the TOH, LHP is dead.
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StevieL says:
How do I get one of these do nothing consultant jobs! I fear the light has gone out on the Lighthouse!
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Jisles says:
Ron #4
“and islander fans are dreaming” God save the team, we love our team”If I was Wang I would abandon the whole lighthouse deal. It is not going through, it is not happenning END OF STORY ALREADY!! I AM TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT THE LIGHTHOUSE MEANWHILE THIS TEAM HAS NOT WON A PLAYOFF ROUND IN 16 YRS AND HAS MADE THE PLAYOFFS ONLY 3 TIMES IN THAT SPAN. ENOUGH!! What Wang should do is accept the Murrays offer to renovate the arena, get this team to become an annual playoff team the smg lease expires in 4 yrs (what is another 4 yrs) and start making some profit and sell the team and hopefully break even or make some of your losses back. Tired. Lets go Islanders.
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bossy4president says:
#28…..That should be the new goal song!!!!!
The isles score and all you hear is “No sleep til…….”, and the whole crowd yells, “BROOKLYN !!!!!!”
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dano says:
Dear Charles, thanks for trying to safe our team,for the last 10 years ,im writing to let you know how much ive appreciated your patience and committement to my beloved ISLANDERS.I see you have a better chance of hell freezing over that you getting the ok from that bitch and her cronnies,i feel for you and the people of long island,but sir its now time for you to do th wright thing and move our team to BROOKLIN OR QUEENS .thanks for caring.
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More than a half a million friggin dollars to these people- and this is how they treat Charles Wang? Disgusting, thats what it is.
BTW izzo (13): You are mistaken- and if you go to look for where Mondello always publicly said he was not behind the project, youre not going to find it.
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Staten Islander says:
And the hits just keep on coming. Merry Christmas Ebaneezer Murray
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brooklyn kevin says:
our beloved islanders are headed to brooklyn or queens … long island officals dont care much about this team… its a shame because the fans do… but attendance and media coverage would be better in brooklyn or queens wang sell or move the islanders to brooklyn or queens…..its the right move to save our beloved islanders …… lets go islanders.
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Figgy says:
#21 – I think you’re forgetting how much Colorado LOVED having the Nords after they were losers for so long – this may work out the same way – by the time the Islanders are ready to make a run at the top every year they are no longer the Islanders – they are the Canadian Moosen Hockey Club
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The people of Nassau County and Hempstead have no right to complain. YOU guys voted Republicans in. What did you expect to happen? Whens the last time Republicans actually DID something and not just complain why something shouldn’t be done?
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me says:
#17 You are naive with that kind of thinking. Anyone and I mean anyone who thinks Bettman will do whatever it takes to keep the Islanders in NY is kidding themselves. Sure he will tell us and the media he wants to keep them here but he has also stated time after time the Islanders cannot survive without a new arena. So if no one locally steps up to buy the Islanders, Bettman won’t have much of a choice because no one and I mean no one is buying this team knowing how Hempstead operates and how there is no way anyone is building this team an arena for free. The only hope is Wang sells this team to the Brooklyn guys or to someone who is going to develop Willets Point. Forget about Long Island. Stick a fork in Long Island. I am embarrassed to tell anyone I am from Long Island. I am so disgusted with all of this that I am considering leaving Long Island and buying a home somewhere else in NY.
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I wish Wang would just come out say something about his intentions instead of leaving the fans in the dark. It’s not like moving to Queens or Brooklyn is going to hurt the fan base.
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ny711ot says:
Sumo goalie, I think you may have answered your own question. If wang feels that a move to brooklyn or queens is not going to generate the roi he expected with the lighthouse then I am afraid that his meetings are no longer with murray but with bettman and how he can exit. Which may mean he is trying to sell him on out of state ownership(move).
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Obs says:
The team has a few good looking young prospects to build around. Hope for another top 5 pick this year, let Snow make a big splash in the FA market next year and put up a competitive team. Once that is done Wang will have the chips to force TOH to do something or move to Queens or Brooklyn.
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Islesfan99 says:
ITS ABOUT TIME HE STOPS GIVING AWAY $$
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#39 it seems you’re right on the target.
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Spartiarti-RVC says:
yeah sure. like 550K was not enough. I think Wang should send a counter bill for 200K for having the consultant waste our TIME>
good for LHP group. I wouldnt give consultant another penny.
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Jack says:
Hey, Wang, end this thing the easy way.
BUY SMG and you’ll make all the money. -
Derek says:
The New York Islanders of Brooklyn
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TradeUp says:
I wish he would consider a move to Suffolk. Look at the draw from the Long Island Ducks. There is no other pro sports competition around and the team would be welcomed with open arms. The people in mid and eastern Suffolk are hungry for entertainment. I do not doubt it would be a huge success whether the Isles put a good team on the ice or not.
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Glen S says:
It’s funny how long this has gone on, what is it seven year’sand still no shovel in the ground. TOH keep’s talking about the traffic studies, this study that study. Then can someone please explain how about three week’s ago I read in that sad newspaper that we have here on LI that almost right around corner @ Mitchel field that the TOH approved a housing complex. Now I know it’s smaller then the LH project, but if your truly concerned with everything that you say you are then why the approval. The story in today’s paper is truly disturbing and I think the end is near for the LH project and it’s not the end that we wanted.If the TOH really wanted this it would have been done four year’s ago and the Isles would be in the newly renovated NVMC.I think the time is here to look at queens and BKLYN and see what they have to offer cause either location is in the same time frame as the LH project three to four year’s away as for as the arena is concerned. Been a fan since day one and don’t want the Isles to go anywhere but I think the time is here where a move may have to be made and let’s hope that it’s Bklyn or Queen’s.
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ExSection307 says:
Been an Islanders fan since 74-75. The last 15 years has killed me ( Good thing I’m a Yankee fan also ) yet I am still at the NVMC watching ( remember Mark Lawrence? ). But, as an outside observer, at this point I have to wonder why Charles is still bothering? If he wants to stay in the area, move to one of the boroughs, move practice facility to Aviator and be done with it. The line of cars on the Meadowbrook is going to the mall, not the game. It would be a shame to us 12,000 or so hard core Islander fans and no one else would care. It would be the final piece of Milbury’s legendarily destructive legacy.
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Richie66 says:
Another scary thing is that they stopped updating the official lighthouse website. They say the next islanders game is November 25 vs Flyers and nothing else.
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IslesinOside says:
“Horse Puckey” -Colonel Sherman T. Potter
I think Wang is doing the right thing here. As a business owner I would stop throwing money down a bottomless pit too. I wouldn’t pay anyone another dime until there was some indication of certainty and if that didn’t come- than time for another Business plan. His mistake in all of this is that he let the TOH take it this far.
It truly amazes me how many of you continue to blame Charles Wang for this whole situation. Granted he should stay clear of the Team Operations but if it wasn’t for him I assure you this team would have been long gone already. -
Tom says:
Kind of anti-climatic. The Isles & Brooklyn have been a foregone conclusion for awhile now.
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Ugly Roe From Massapequa says:
My preferences are as follows:
1. Isles stay at a renovated Nassau Coliseum, but without the 60-something story buildings, (that will turn Nassau into a craphole like Queens.)
2. Isles stay at Nassau Coliseum, (but with a scaled-down version of the Lighthouse project.)
3. The Isles move to Willets Point, (with mass transit access which will only add a few minutes to my travel time, but will allow me to get drunk and take a train home instead of drive.)
4. The Isles move to Brooklyn, (see number 3.)
5. The Isles move to Suffolk, (which will never happen because in no way can Suffolk County sustain an NHL hockey franchise.)
6. The Isles move off Long Island all together. (As to where, who cares? If they’re gone, they’re gone.)
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Lorne says:
I would be find with Brooklyn or Queens as long as the Islanders stay on Long Island. The good news is Brooklyn and Queens are on Long Island. The question is will Wang be a part of this or sell the team??
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New York Islanders = zombie franchise for the last decade or 2. Let them die already.
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Pat K. says:
It is finally done. The Lighthouse projecy is over. WE need to start rallying support fopr keeping this team in NY.
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therain93 -- terriers fan says:
Long Island will continue to wither away with out some sort of economic leadership. Cry about the Isles all you want but LI needs to find new avenues of development.
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Hockey1919 says:
What part do people fail to realize that the Islanders as tenants of a refurbished Colisuem do not make enough revenue to remain a viable professional sports franchise? Even at full capacity, ticket sales alone are not going to keep this team on Long Island. The County or TOH can refurbish the Coliseum all they want for Harlem Gloebtrotter exhibitions, but without additional sources of income (parking, concessions and development) the Isles are gone. No kidding Wang wants to develop the land to subsidize his hockey habit. Is that a surprise? Would the next owner be any different? The most you could hope for is that he is a better hockey guy.
The area around the Coliseum is already a craphole and an eyesore so the only way it becomes worse is if the anchor tenant leaves. Then you have another 15 years of development corruption and limbo were the site becomes a vacant lot. Once it is a site for homeless caravans, a sweetheart deal is made on the cheap to dump off a piece of property that “nobody” wants any longer to a poltically connected developer.
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Ted S says:
This is why I hate politics & choose not to vote for the criminals on either side.I always laugh when people think these crooks have our best interest in mind.It all lies F em all!.RIP NY Islanders.
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JohnnyC. says:
Hey ugly roe from Massapizza Nassau county is an ugly craphole already. If Queens is such an ugly craphole why is it part of your preference. Option 1 of yours is not happening. Why would Wang renovate an arena he does not own. the county owns it & your crap hole county is broke. The reason Wang is holding out hope for Lighthouse because once approved he gets new lease on arena and SMG is out of picture. Also if new lease is not agreed upon within 120 days of approval he has an out of the current lease and can move whenever he wants. Otherwise he is stuck with same crappy lease until 2015. Anyone whoe is buying this team is paying a premium because of the cable deal. The cable deal is dead if team is moved out of the area. So any buyer who buys will have to have enough $$$$$ to swollow the cable deal and losses until 2015 until the lease is up. Otherwise the lawsuits will come.
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Dan says:
#46 Kevin-
He is correct. What do you expect from the party of “NO”. We will lose the Isles because of these clowns. I voted against Kate & her board. It didn’t help but I tried. Only 26% of reg. voters got off their asses & voted. Shame…
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So Wang stops putting money in to the Lighthouse, the ticket reps don’t want to give anything away for free. The team is obviously in need of some help and can relieve some other team’s cap space and get some good players back.
Nothing that involves spending more than the bare minimum is being done. They even increased ticket prices.
The last time this happened anyone with talent got traded.
I hope they move to Brooklyn or Queens, I’m 29, I moved to Queens and work in Brooklyn. I tried to stay in Nassau, but hey guess what, there’s nothing there anymore!
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Pete says:
#62 Yeah, Queens is SUCH a craphole. When was the last time you were west of Nassau county? At this point in time, Queens has FAR more going for it than Nassau County. At least the city develops it’s land…
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Everyone should just stop going to the games at the Coliseum. Isles fans should consider the team dead. SMG has been sucking the blood for decades and Nassau County/ToH permits it because they get kickbacks and/or money under the table. I’m 40 yrs old and Ive seen it all w my beloved Islanders. At this point, Id rather see them move to Quebec or anywhere else just so they can be resepctable.
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Of course I meant RESPECTABLE.
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CG says:
It is obvious that something is in the works. Wang and Rechler must be in negotiations with someone right now. They are doing a good job keeping it a secret. I can’t believe they are sitting back and doing nothing. Before the hockey season is over, hopefully the fans will know. Although, I live 15 minutes from NVMC, the Brooklyn location makes more and more sense. Long Islanders will train it to the game like they do for other teams. I always take the train for Garden events and Mets games. I will have no problem doing it for the Isles too. Sports teams need to be in an urban area with mass transportation. Maybe then we can outnumber the opposing team’s fans during a snow storm and stop being an embarrassment.
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Ted says:
Any local teachers here in the comments section? Kate Murray and the Lighthouse should be included in your civics lesson plan under “Why local elections matter and why every vote counts”. Turnout in non-presidential election years is a travesty and many people laugh at local political elections as if they are some sort of joke positions with no real power. A local Town supervisor voted in by a small fraction of the eligible voter base has (almost) single handedly killed a multi-billion dollar development project. Amazing.
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Moulson26 says:
Terrance #19- Thats a good point. With such an expensive project, that kinda money seems like peanuts. People have mentioned that Wang may search for an easy way out of this whole thing. This may be his meal ticket. He needs to save face and make it seem like he went down valiantly fighting for the cause in order to cover up his inability to get this project done. Maybe he was in over his head? Maybe he didn’t expect the losses?
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dose says:
” …Time to look to Brooklyn…”
they already have.
“25 Jim Clark on Dec 23rd, 2009 07:07:02 said:
What kind of attendance would Brooklyn (or any city) have for a franchise that has gone 15 years without winning a playoff series?”
the team would immediately be embraced as brooklyn’s own. there are tons of young sports fans from all over the country, the world really, in the neighborhoods immediately surrounding AY. they would be able to walk to games, or go 1 stop on the subway. the islanders in the borough would an immediate craze. -
Metalcoconut says:
Once the Islanders move I will thankfully have no reason to go to Nassau County. Therefore I can start seeing the slums of uniondale on the news rather than seeing in person.
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I also agree that the league will never allow the islanders to move out of new york. How does it look for the league to move teams out of a big-time market like New York? The team is not moving to KC, we saw how their “fanbase” responded to our scrimmage when we visited. Bettman and the league are completely opposed to downsizing and focused entirely on stability. Thus, a move to Quebec is unlikely. Rather the league is going to consider creating a new team in Quebec. The only thing that makes sense is a move to Brooklyn. Although the move would hurt far eastern long islanders in terms of distance, in the long run it could aid the franchise. I am from the Bronx and I have season tickets. The move to Brooklyn could benefit islander fans who live in the city limits and still allow for nassau/eastern long islanders to get to the games via LIRR. If a team cannot survive in a market like New York, then the NHL is in trouble in North America.
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All this crying about not winning a playoff series in umpteen years, has anyone noticed they cant even win back to back games? The lighthouse is dead, the Islanders are dead and the only bright spot in all of this is the glimmering hope that someday,in the distant future, Kate Murray will also be DEAD!
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a sign of things to come, or coincidence?
yesterday, i got a message on my answering machine at home from someone in the islanders ticket sales office. my area code is 718. i live in brooklyn a few blocks from the AY site. it’s the first call i’ve ever gotten from them.
HELLO!!! -
Stumpy32 says:
Dose – that quote is right on the money. I’ve been saying it for months…this isn’t the Brooklyn of 20-25 years ago. Many, many younger people who in past generations would have been suburbanites more disposed to liking hockey are now in up-and-coming or already there neighborhoods in Brooklyn like Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, Clinton Hill, Dumbo, and Prospect Heights. All these areas are within a 20-minute walk or 10-minute subway ride of the proposed arena. In these Brooklyn enclaves, you have a potentially explosive fanbase looking for some Brooklyn pride to call their own. I don’t think lifelong Long Islanders can fully understand the potential of this franchise if they move to Brooklyn compared to even the most optimistic endgame of staying in Nassau County.
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Alan says:
I live on the Queens/Nassau Border — I would definitely go to Brooklyn
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Brooklyn would be ideal for me. The bus that takes me over the bridge connects with the R train, I’d never have to go by car and could get drunk at the game. Yipeeeeeeeeeeeee.
That said, my preference would be for them to stay at Nassau, just for tradition sake
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This is not an issue of the scope of the project. Last week the Newsday published a list of how the politicians would vote. It was along party lines 100%. It has nothing to do with traffic, environment, # of housing units. If it was the vote would not be along party lines.
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Demise of Hempstead Town says:
Corrupt politics in the Town of Hempstead. Kate has got to be on the take. Does everyone recall what we saw in New Jersey last summer, when massive numbers of politicians were arrested in one big hit? I see it coming soon and I predict Kate will be at the top of the list. Kate has got to be in bed with those Westchester consultants.
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CB: As of now what percentage do you give the Isles of staying in Nassau County???
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IslesHostage says:
In simple logic: A scaled back Lighthouse generates far more revenue than leasing an arena space and nothing else in Queens, Brooklyn, Kansas City, Hamilton, Walla Walla, Washington or Dubai. He concedes that the project is too big or he sells. If he sells, then they can move anywhere provided the league doesn’t stop it (Re: Bettman).
So honestly, it looks like we either see an improved Colieum, the same Coliseum or mass transit to games. What we won’t see it the disaster that would be a full scale Lighthouse making everyone fight through Source Mall traffic to find parking to get in by the second period. -
Tony D says:
When will we see Andrew Cuomo announcing his investigation into the doings in Hempstead? Someopne has got to go to jail on this thing
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Brian in VA says:
If the Islanders move outside of LI/B’Lyn/Queens, I WILL BE DONE WITH THE NHL!
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RobC says:
Fans need to know there was something printed in Newsday saying Mangano will be working together with a LHP supporter who actually is a Mangano supporter as well. Go to Lettherebelighthouse and read comments on the 2nd to last artical he wrote. It will explain there. Sounds positive.
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IronIslander77 says:
ExSection307 #58 – Aviator is already home to a farm team – The Aces. Since Aviator was sponsered by Cablevision/MSG, I am assuming that putting an islanders practice facility there is not an option.
—————————————-Anyone claiming that if the Islanders move to Brooklyn/Queens they will no longer be fans are welcome to go. Have fun watching the Ducks.
Brooklyn is a proud city that will only embrace the Islanders. The rivalry will intensify and the fan base will grow. Same if they went to Queens.
Moving the team to Suffolk would be suicide.Willets Point is geographiclly best for everyone if they truly must relocate – close to Nassau – in the city limits – accessible by plane train and automobile.
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Stumpy32
yessir, or ma’am (whatever the case may be)
“explosive fan base” is right on the money. and i didn’t even mention the native LI’ers now living here who ALREADY ARE islander fans. and can you imagine the rivalry with the rags if this happens? a manhattan/brooklyn civil war i tell ya! talk about ‘kicking it up a notch.’
whoa. -
O.Bender says:
One possibility if Wang is truly ready to sell the Isles, once Prokhorov’s takeover of the Nets is complete and the NHL allows Non-North American based owners, he may be approached about the purchase of the Isles. It may be the most fitting scenario considering his involvement in the Barclay’s project.
Should the Isles make Brooklyn their home, I know I’ll become a season ticket holder.
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Ajax says:
know what, this is getting old and exhausting, im reaching my limit
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neologizer says:
Dude’s
chill out and look at the facts (the money ones) that are the most relevant1)25 years ago the Isles traded their immediate survial for the worst stadium deal in sports history (basically forfeiting a huge chuck of future revenues).
2) this is why A) the owners were clowns until wang -spano, gluckstern etc B) The Isles would lose money regardless of on ice success
3)that stadium deal ends in 2015. Financially the isles revenues will improve vastly after then
4)The Isles have a choice in 2015. Stay in a new Nassau stadium, move to new stadium in Brooklyn/queens. Move to new stadium elsewhere. That is clearly the order of preference for the owner, the league, most of current fan base, and for any possible new owner hoping to make money.
5)Brooklyn is already on the table possibly queens. The Isles are not moving away from the largest and richest media market in North America…. So chill out and watch in the next few years as the Isles rebuild themselves financially off the ice and competitively on the ice
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Steve says:
The Isles should NEVER stay in Nassau county if they ever have a chance and go to either Brooklyn or Queens. Brooklyn and QUeens have something that Nassau lacks; public transportation. Optimally, it would have been best for Wang to tell Nassau county to **** off and leave when he bought the team. He should try to buy out the Islanders’ lease in the NVMC by buying out Nassau county if another arena is completed before 2015. Hell, I really hope that Wang submitted a bid to Willets Point development and move to Brooklyn if that arena gets built first. Then they could stay in Brooklyn until the Willets Point arena gets built. The Isles can’t face that much injustice in Brooklyn as they did in Nassau.
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if the ToH and the economy won’t allow it then Bettman can’t make the the team stay. He has no power to stop the inevitable.
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Other than turning down any bid to purchase the team if the team is to move.
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geduffer says:
By the time anything gets agreed upon with the Lighthouse, I’ll be gone off LI and out of NY. Officially from this point on, I don’t care. I’m dropping my season tickets at the end of the season and washing my hands of the situation.
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Dan says:
These are very hard times but we must stay strong and support this team. BEAT THE LEAFS.
LETS GO ISLANDERS
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Flash15 says:
What makes all you think Brooklyn/Queens will happen because of rumors of a arena for the lowly Nets? Why don’t they bring back the Dodgers too while Brooklyn is at it…Why would they want to move closer to the Ranger Territory and why would the NHL allow it….It was reported on HNIC saturday during the Hot Stove report the Isles are going to be sold and Wang has given up…
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Wang owes it to us to speak out.
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# 104 I agree Wang does need to speak out and tell us what he know’s and be straight forward with his team’s fan’s i.e his(PAYING CUSTOMER’s). Charle’s tell us is the LH as dead as it appear’s to be or will it get done fully or scaled back.
But please just stop the silence and speak about it for the first time since 09/22/09 the date of the last public hearing.And also the media coverage stink’s this year were getting stories in newsday that are a couple to three day’s old. Also look what the senator’s just did they got rid of those premium tix price’s for the rest of the season as they realized that it was keeping the fan’s away,yes the economy is bad north of the border just down here. so Charles a move like that would more then likely put more fan’s in the NVMC which in turn bring’s in more$$$$$$$.. -
John from ATL says:
Doesn’t Wang have an out in the lease agreement regarding the condition of the building? I can’t see a move to Brooklyn or Queens, most of the fans are in Nassau and Suffolk. If he sells. I think any new owner of the Islanders would have to honor the lease agreement and keep the Islanders in TOH until the lease runs out in 2015(?) and then move the team. I would think Quebec City would be likely or believe or not another team in Toronto.
I guess I could still root them there. One more reason not to return to LI.
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Flash15, what’s wrong with the Isles moving into so called “Ranger’s territory” in Brooklyn or Queens and INTENSIFY the rivalry? Also, why would most NHL teams block an Islanders move to Brooklyn or Queens? They can’t be worse in Brooklyn or Queens in the long run because they’re closer to more public transportation such as buses and subways, something that Nassau county lacks. Most NHL owners know about this too.
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joe fred va says:
So the isles new logo for Bklyn will be a train with graffetti. Anyway, let the chips fall where they may, Mangano and Kate have alternate plans to developers who have lined their pockets. Some day they will be exposed but just end this already. Isle fans are the most loayal, tortured fans in the league, enough, If Wang sells the team to someone else, who could possibly blame him?
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BringBackNyles says:
The idea of a second Team in Toronto has been suggested in NHL circles, I don’t get it. Who in their right mind is going to drop generations of loyaly to the Maple leafs and start pulling for an expansion team?
They would be the Clippers of the NHL.
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New York has 10 count it…. 10 pro sports franchises and other then the one that plays way out in the suburbs, outside of the masstransit reach in an antiquated building, they all are finacially sound and competitive teams.
Brooklyn or Queens with a combined 5 million pop won’t support another Hockey team? but cities with 1/10 that population (kansas city and Quebec city) will?
Look up the history of the Devils and Nordiques before proposing such nonsense. (ie KC scouts became the Colorado Rockies then moved to the NY metro area to become the Devils. The nordiques moved to colorado after the Devils left!!!)
According to Forbes Rangers are the #2 valued NHL franchise, Devils #10 and Islanders….#28 (same as KC royals LOL). They are ranked that way because Isles get virtually no revenue from their stadium
Read the article: the only assest the Isles have is their market Which forbes calculates as more valuable then 2/3 of other NHL teams.
Me thinks only an idiot would try to move the Isles from NY
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New York has proven..we support stars and winners. The Cosomos with Pele brought in 75,000 a game. The Mullin redmen were bigger then the Knicks. The only team that has a fan bases through thick and thin is the Giants. Even the now mighty Yankees had plenty of crowds of under 15,000 pre 1998 in their history.
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anthony c says:
I hope there is nothing but a pile of coal left in the stockings of murray, her cronies in the TOH, f.p. clarke, SMG, and any of the other a-holes who have basically killed this project.
The Brooklyn Islanders