WITH ON-ICE SUCCESS COMES A BUSINESS BOOM
Islanders revenues up significantly this season
Chris Botta on Twitter
The Islanders’ improvement in year two of their rebuild, the arrival of a future star in John Tavares and some successful marketing and community initiatives have led to a business boom for the franchise.
According to league records obtained by Point Blank, ticket sales revenue is already up by 11% for the Islanders this season. With business expected to surge with the hockey team in the playoff hunt, the Islanders project an increase of more than 15% by the end of the season.
The franchise is seeing strong growth in three areas:
Individual game ticket sales are up by more than 20% over last season, when the team stopped being a factor in the Eastern Conference standings before New Year’s Day. While the cost of some seats were raised and the Islanders instituted a “tiered” pricing system this season, the uptick can also be attributed to a team defying last-place predictions and emergence of young stars like Tavares and Kyle Okposo.
Although the Islanders may have more available inventory for group purchases than many other NHL teams, the team now leads the league in group tickets sold. The organization fnished fourth last season. As evidenced by the 1,500 tickets purchased by a local youth hockey program for Saturday’s game, the Islanders are successfully connecting with community groups through their charity, school and youth hockey-based programs.
According to a team source, partial plan sales have already exceeded revenue targets established last summer. The “flex” plans – buy 20 or 40 “vouchers” at a discount and go to the games you want – have been the most popular this year.
In addition, corporate sponsorship revenue is up 12% from last season, impressive considering the economic climate.
The Islanders have had only three sellouts this season, but two were last week for the games against the rival Devils. With 16 regular season home games remaining and an exciting team fighting for a playoff spot, the Islanders should be able to capitalize at the box office.
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On Sunday night, Dustin Kohn was no longer listed on the Islanders’ roster. With Andy Sutton returning from his two-game suspension to face Washington on Tuesday, Kohn will be back in Bridgeport.
Share your thoughts on Islanders business and your personal experiences as an Islanders consumer in Comments. Comment Guidelines.
65 Responses to WITH ON-ICE SUCCESS COMES A BUSINESS BOOM
Islanders revenues up significantly this season
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Vealchop says:
Good news for the Islanders. Keep it up great Islander fans.
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Willy P says:
Anytime you can get your numbers up its always a good thing, hopefully the fans do respond to the teams hard work but i think wills till havent seen it yet i feel everyone is just waiting for the isles to fall apart. I think maybe the last 7 home games if the isles are still playing this well they might draw about 14,000 on a week nite and a couple weekend sell outs. But still the numbers are up from last year so thats good for the team
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mt275 says:
CB… You should list yourself as one of reasons for their revenue success. You’ve been keeping the fan based energized.
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purify says:
perfect example of people willing to spend on a quality product. impressive in this economy. for year after year we suffered and like you said cb we all anticipated the usual islanders collapse. this group is built with young hungry players that cant relate to our past collapses. ko passion ( esp at the refs non calls)and desire is making me a beleiver that our core guys will put everything they have to win. the exictement is back and this is just the begining for many years to come.
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kingbet123 says:
Definitely things are on the way up, no doubt about it. Plenty of good feelings in Islander Country. However, I really dislike when hacks like Jay Greenberg (NY Post) tries to use the 1,500 tickets as a negative thing. Am I happy that the Isles coverage, most notably the Post, is on the upswing? Yes! As the same time, I’ve read that type of article from Greenberg for the last dozen years in THN. Weak!!!!
I think the Family Fun Pack is a great deal – hope the Isles continue it.
CB, this site is a huge boon to Islander fans. Consider yourself a reason for the teams success.
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Eastonhockey says:
Well now Wang can increase ticket prices again this summer. I hope we can have the 2nd lowest payroll in the NHL next season instead of the lowest. Even pheonix spends more on players
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AJAX says:
bye dustin!
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Joe in Massapequa says:
Very good news about the Isles. I have to agree with post 4 (mt275). CB, you have reached out to thousands of readers and keep this special group in the know. Feeling more connected to one of your favorite franchises only makes you want more. Of course the progress they have made in one season helps too
LGI! -
Not trying to be cynical, but is there anyway to get a hold of a breakdown of those group tix solds? Seems alot of visiting teams have had their fans coming to the Coliseum this year more than ever before and my guess is availability of such tix combined with group discounts has helped this years ticket sales boom.
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Figgy says:
Islanders fans have always been amongst the most loyal in the NHL – but there were too many years where the team wasn’t loyal to it’s fans and put out a crap product.
A good team will ALWAYS draw crouds on Long Island!!! -
Avolp55turgeonfichaud says:
CB- there is no doubt in my mind you have contributed in large part to the islanders fan base remaining engaged and excited.
Hearing about the isles revenue increases is a great thing. Though I suspected the team was doing (slightly) better, an 11% jump is nothing to scoff at.
Many factors have played into the increased demand for seats, but the fact that we are still alive in the playoff hunt is obviously a huge boost.
Islanders hockey is back and wearing my NYI gear around town no longer comes with sneering looks and wisecracks. Don’t think that has gone unnoticed..
lets go nyi
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CB:Great news, shows that Snowy is doing good job. Any idea when the SMG lease change take effect, that will also greatly help the net earnings?? Mr Wang should give IPB a check for all you’re done for the team !!!
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Harold C says:
This is good news obviously. I know my 12 year old and most of his friends have been to a few games this year and they are all really getting into it bit time, it’s nice to see.
The Isles have also done a good job with some aggressive offers like the Christmas deal – we bought our son a Tavares jersey and received two free tickets to a game (It was the FL game last week), which to me was a GREAT ideal. They are working within the parameters of not only a bad economy but a team that hasn’t been very good at all. With the improvement on the ice, the arrows are starting to point up finally and it’s nice to see GOOD things being said about the team in the press.
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Thomas says:
I am a full season ticket holder, I understand the need for them to sell tickets, but as someone who travels from more than an hour away I can’t make some of the games, and their deals have virtually made it impossible for me to sell any tickets (minuses the Rangers) at what I paid for (never mind face value). Then to make matters worse there is a 30% on the ticket exchange site which makes it even more difficult to sell.
I think they need to do a better job at supporting the people who are paying for a full season ticket and laying out that money up front.
I have also had 4 tickets sales reps in the last 2 years, everytime I call I find out I need to deal with someone else, which is sometimes a little frustrating.
My biggest beef is these 7pm starts during the week without any real public transportation access. Everyone I know who would go during the week isn’t willing to go because they simply can’t get there on time to see the first period. The weeknight games need to go back to 7:30 I think that would help attendance during the week. If I didn’t have flexibility in my job I wouldn’t be able to go myself.
The games are certainly more enjoyable when the place is full, but I think they need to make sure they don’t alienate the people like myself who have been buying full plans for 10 years now.
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RobC says:
If this team stays competitive the fans will keep coming.
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Islander merch is spreading, as well. Last night during the Aussie Open – Andy Roddick match, they panned to the crowd and some guy was wearing an Islander hat. I rewound just to make sure. Islander hats in Australia = Awesome.
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kbulger22 says:
Wow. Create a quality product and people will buy it? What a novel idea.
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Stumpy32 says:
Thomas – Totally agree on the start times, and that is a huge reason why I dropped my season tix after the 05-06 season. I really do want to get to the games, but I work in lower Manhattan, and can’t get out until 6-6:30. To make a 7pm start time in Uniondale, I need to be at Penn or Flatbush no later than 5:45, and then need to have someone get me at Westbury, or take a cab to the Coliseum. Taking the Hempstead line to the bus would take even more time. And I live in the city…I can’t imagine the issue Long Islanders have in having to park at one LIRR station in the morning, then go back to that station in the evening, then drive to the Coliseum from there. Either way, not many kids go during the week anyway, at least not those who would be grossly effected by a change to a 7:30 or 8:00 start time. It would make life a lot easier for the rest of us.
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Frank nyc says:
This is all great news. All part of making this team a legit team on all fronts. Also i think someone else mentioned it, but i think PB has played a large role in the revitalization of the New York Islanders. Props to you CB.
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bossjones1 says:
I went to a game after Thanksgiving and would have gone to one of the games around Christmas if the tickets weren’t so darn expensive. It didn’t matter how the team was doing, I just wanted to see KO, Tavares, and Bergie, but it was nice that they won too.
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Didn’t they used to start the weeknight games at 8 back in the 70′s and 80′s? I seem to remember hearing that somewhere.
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season tix holder says:
Great to hear about box office success. Large crowds make even bad games better.
Here is all you need to know about the ineptness of past marketing lack of effort and front office arrogance. Through the 70′s early 80′s my family regularly attended with 4-6 other Malverne family season tix holder. Fast forward to today I’m the only season tix holder out of 15+ next generation fans. I have groomed my kids to be the 3rd generation of my family to stick with the Isles. In many ways this franchise has been an expansion franchise in it’s own backyard. Let’s keep the improvements coming so we can regain the status lost so many years ago. -
Merrick says:
I would repeat every word of Post # 15 (Thomas).
I may shoot myself for saying this, but on a season ticket basis, Islander prices are very reasonable for the sightlines. In almost any other arena in the league, my seats would be at least 75% more in cost and probably on a club level.
Of course, I wouldn’t have to wait 60 minutes to go to the bathroom at a crowded event or might have the option of 200 different food choices–but as it is, I’ll stick with what I have.
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Isles22Isles says:
@#10 SteveDepot-
I had the same exact thought, even before reading this article and your comment-
I know some of the Canadian teams and Northest teams “travel well” following their teams on the road, but this year has been NOTABLY RIDICULOUS-
I like the building full, as much as the next guy, but with all these road fans it’s bittersweet-
CB-
Is there anyway to see if the Isles Marketing team has been specifically marketing to the road city/team/fans?
To me it’s obvious that they are. If the answer is yes, what are your feelings here regarding that approach?
Is it Unprecedented? Common or Uncommon?
Do We (the home fans that actually attend many games, such as I do)have the right to be annoyed by this?
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Brian G says:
On Mon 1/18 & Sat. 1/23 at least 2,000 Devils fans for each, so that contributed to those 2 sellouts…when I went to the Montreal game in the snow there was at least a 1,000 Habs fans at that game…there is always many Philly fans when they are here. Ticket Prices are still very high -no need for tiered pricing for hockey games.
CB – if the islanders happen to make the playoffs Wang makes money this year, is that correct?
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Healy says:
Isles22 (#24):
This may be relevant. I have a friend from Pittsburgh who bought tickets to a Pens-Isles game when she came in to visit. She now regularly gets called by the Isles tix reps and every time when she says she is from Pittsburgh and Pens fan, they try to sell her on all the Isles-Pens games. I guess smart to do on the business side of things to fill the seats, but not so great when the upper and lower tiers are all non orange and blue jerseys.
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Do you think the isles run a advertisement in Montreal newspapers like this “come to my n support your canadiens as they pound the isles! Call 1800 882 isles today!
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JayK says:
Isles22 — post 24 — last year, when the Red Wings hosted the Blue Jackets in the playoffs, the Wings were having trouble selling the building. It was a first round for the defending champs, maybe going to the finals again, etc., and the economy stunk. So they offered a lot of packages down into Columbus thinking the fans there would want to see their team in their first playoff appearance ever. So marketing to the opposition is not unheard of.
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Mike L says:
It was nice to see a good crowd last game. I actually liked having the Devils fans there because they dont annoy me and it made for some good back and forth jabbing. Habs, Rags and Flyers fans only annoy. I still hope they get rid of the tier pricing next year and maybe open up the practices again. This team used to be fan friendly, but I’m still feeling they are distancing themselves.
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4theisles says:
Of course Wang notices all the +++s in this season. I hope the TOH politicians are noticing as well. Go Light House and go ISLES!!!
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Jim Clark says: I don’t believe Islanders/NHL attendance figures anymore than I believe politician’s campaign promises. Attendance could be up. But that could just mean the Islanders are doing a better job of selling to themselves.
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TradeUp says:
A business boom for the franchise? We are comparing against a year where “the team stopped being a factor in the Eastern Conference standings before New Year’s Day” and people were fearing an economy heading into a great depression. Also, some of the 11% growth is due to higher ticket prices, it’s not all due to more butts in the seats. How much is attendance up? CB, can you post (do you have access to) actual attendance #’s from the past few years so we can better judge the longer term direction of attendance? A chart would be nice. I’d like to see sell-outs as much as the next fan but calling an 11% increase in revenue over last years disaster a boom is a bit of an exageration, no?
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i agree with everyone about the 7 pm starts. working in manhattan it’s pretty tough to make it to the games on time without leaving work a little early and then running through train stations like OJ in those old hertz commercials. it just requires too much hurrying up and you’ve gotta be in the mood to deal with that. while 7 is a perfect time for watching from home, i assume they’d rather have people at the games!
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patrick says:
just purchased my valentines package for me and my girlfriend. best gift i ever bought her for valentines day hahaha. love it…. with deals like the islanders give, theres no reason why they cant put people in the seats. very friendly options. last years Fondu Night package was the best ever. would definetly buy that again.
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Matt Scordato says:
I agree w/ poster #29, Isles certainly “juice” their attendance figures. Over the years there have been numerous phamtom “sellouts” where it was plainly obvious to anyone in the bldg the rows upon rows of empty seats, but I guess in order to create a “buzz” a sellout was announced. So I would liken the NYI boasting of increased attendance to that of the LIRR month after month sporting 90% or higher on time figures for their trains, those of us that ride the LIRR daily know that is a joke.
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a REAL hockey fan says:
..Post 27 is right! The redwings were/are having problems selling tix and in the playoffs nonetheless, its true
… I think the Isles are on the upswing and YESSSSS i believe the attendance is improving (I really do!) but i wouldnt believe everything they say in the NHL front office! They have fudged the numbers before around the league from actual attendance! Im sorry but i take alot of what Bettman and company say with a grain of salt and to cover their own behinds and make themselves look better sorry but i really do.
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Irish Isle says:
As I was telling a few of my coworkers who are also big Isles fans, and it wouldnt take a new building to get fans to the building, it would take a winning team. Look at Pittsburgh, they have a beautiful ballpark, but a bad team, so no one goes to the games. Where their hockey team is exciting, in the old Igloo, and is constantly soldout.
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Spartiarti-RVC says:
its not rocket science. Win games, win back the second tier fans.
Look how many jet fans came out of the woodworks this year with team in playoffs.
If isles keeping winning, coloseum will keep filling.
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Regarding the 7p start times, I think it was the night of the Detroit game where the Rangers and Devils were home that night as well. As I flew out of my office, ran to the subway, barely caught a train at Penn, had someone pick me up in Westbury, and barely made the opening faceoff, I thought…Ranger fans take the subway to MSG, Devils fans take a 20-minute PATH to Prudential. Lucky bastards.
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Examiner says:
Stumpy – Completely agree. Almost impossible to make a game at the Coliseum if you work in Manhattan. Unless you get out at 5 and are right near Penn, it is hassle.
Pushing week night games to 7:30 would be a huge help. I do not see how it hurts. Games these days last only 2 and a half hours and would still be completed right around 10PM. I understand wanting to be more kid friendly, but that is what weekend games and afternoon holiday games are for.
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beatlebailey says:
next time take the train to mineola..it is a 5-10 minute ride to the coli from there
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noelle says:
good product on the ice = butts in the seats.
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Ethan K says:
Good news!
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JPinVA says:
No White suspension. Well, at least Campbell didn’t suspend Bergie. So we got that going for us.
As far as the Islanders making money… come on, It’s good news, but it’s like sending out announcements when your 9 year old learns to walk. This is a sports franchise based in a suburb of NYC, not Omaha. The real story should be why the team has been operating in the red for so long… well… maybe we won’t have to hear about another $20M+ that was wasted because there was no green light to a real estate development. -
Vrinqueens says:
It’s a miracle!!!Putting a winning team on the ice and fans show up….what a concept.
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MD says:
White’s hit was dirty but looking at the replay, much like Suttons, it was in the numbers. Should Sutton had been suspended? Not sure. Should White? Not sure. Consistency says White should be. BUT is it right to suspend EVERY case of a major-boarding penalty? I say no.
As for the Isles rise…
I am more excited about my team than I have been since the 92-93 season. I think we are one free-agent signing away from not just a playoff run, but a deep one. Our defense isn’t has bad as people say. Sutton has stepped up, Bruno is back to being Bruno. MacDonald has been rock-solid. Kohn is proof our farm system works.Want to see revenue rise sky high? Go after Kovylchuck. He’s a leader and someone who will bring dangerous scoring ablility to play with these kids.
I’m just saying….
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Dan says:
I have season tickets and work downtown. I leave work at 5:10 to catch the 5:33 to Hicksville. Anything later and I am late to the game. Not impossible but if i am delayed I miss the first few minutes of the game. It was much better with the 7:30 start times.
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Pat says:
As an everyday watch/goto every islander game person, I wouldnt mind a later start. Doesnt help of hurt me at all, and i can only see it helping bring in more city working fans. This topic should be seriously considered.. if only they read the comments on cb’s site…
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Jim Clark says:
I have only been going to games for three years. The first year (2007-2008) the games against Montreal only had a handful of Canadiens fans. But the two games in 2008-09 and the only this season have had several thousand Habs fans in the building with Montreal jersey (thankfully no those 1910-1911 barbershop uniform..worse than Fishsticks). If the Islanders are selling 3,000 tickets to them, those two game alone would boost attendance by 150 people over two years ago. Not sure how much this affects other teams, although there are a good amount of people in Buffalo Sabres jerseys. Western New York college age students who go to Hofstra, Stony Brook, NYIT???
A 7PM start works slightly better for me than 730 but I would understand if the Islanders switch. They are in a rare situation with the arena not in the urbanized area but in the suburbs with no direct train connection (too bad Wang’s Lighthouse won’t fix that). I think most NHL franchises start at 7PM although their situations may be different.
But I think the teams youth movement with the talent (Taveras, Bailey, Okposo) maturing may be drawing fans. Although Wang told Mike Francesz back in the fall ticket sales went up only slightly with Taveras signed.
Maybe a three tiered pricing policy does attract different market segments and increase revenue.
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orgaNYIzation says:
Anyone know Wang’s split in the gate/concessions/parking after the buyout of SMG? Is it 100%?
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TM says:
There was nowhere to go BUT up compared to last year’s revenue. That’s not saying much. As Easton said, talk to me when NYI doesn’t have the lowest payroll. Until then, revenue #s mean little to fans. (Group sales means other teams fans taking over our building too like they’ve done.) **Imagine if the games could be heard on radio.
Botta, do you know when the sub-lease kicks in? When do NYI now get revenue from concessions, parking and 100% of walk up tix? (I doubt it could happen mid-season but going forward? Or a set date?)
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mht says:
Amend to the 7:30 start time.The Rangers and Devils play their games in an urban arena serviced by mass transit.On too many occasions I have missed the first period with the 7;00 start and would rather be home.
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Lav says:
I’m definitely down for the 7:30 start times being brought back. For anyone coming back from the city, there’s 6:01 that is pretty much an express to westbury. if you can get a ride, its pretty much a straight shot to the coliseum down post ave/merrick ave once you get in at 6:40.
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ken says:
they should experiment w/ some 7:30 starts and see how the gate is affected.
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Not telling today says:
C’mon CB. I smell B.S. on this one. “According to league records obtained by Point Blank”…I have a feeling that you were given this information by the Islanders themselves to try and keep a good working relationship with the team. You’re not telling me that you weren’t working with the Islanders to produce good publicity for the team?
Who knows, you may still be getting paid by the Islanders or still given perks, because every time you write something positive about the team, people will stop and say, “Oh well it’s not like he’s getting paid by the team, so the good stuff he’s writing must really be true.” I have a big feeling that there’s a lot of back scratching going on between you and the organization still.
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admin says:
(55) This Penguins-Rangers game I’m at for FanHouse has not been a thriller so far, so I appreciate the good laugh, NTT. Have you been reading the last five months? The last five weeks? lol…CB
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(55) NTT, crack kills, seriously, seek help.
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mike 8 says:
Would love the 730 start for weekday and weekend games.
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DPS says:
Wait CB. Are you saying if you produce a good product people will pay for it??? Wow. Shocker. Amazing huh Wanger?
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I am extremely happy for the organization making progress and performing all around in ways that result in an increase in sales!
I am a firm believer in hard work, excellent product, and good management is a simple recipe for success in business.I commend the Islanders management on every level I can think of other than what I feel is the mishandling of this blog.
I have gone to games since my birth year. Luckily that was in 79, but unfortunately by the time it mattered most to me, the success of this team has not been frequent.I have never stopped being a fan, but while I went to many games every year minus the 4 I was away at school (I only went to a game or two during holidays), I now go out of my way to go to more games. And never ever miss again via DVR. Someone mentioned earlier that the 7pm start keeps them from going to games, and unfortunately in my line of work that is the case a lot as well.
I avoid this site and twitter sometimes until well past midnight so I don’t see the score of the recorded game I’m about to watch.
I am more hooked than ever because of a magnificent combination of the actual players and the play of this team, the management’s part in assembling it, and first and foremost this site.
The connect NYI Point Blank has provided is invaluable to a fan such as myself. I’ve approached my own business very similarly in terms of connecting the customers to the products and my business.Sorry so long, I just appreciate this site and this team more than ever. Continued success to all!
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Sorry one more thing. I think the popularity of the NHL product overall is on an upswing. I’ve noticed things in my fashion world mostly: very popular & high profile articles on everything to the history of hockey masks, debate over logos and 3rd jerseys, and even a feature on the trendy Vampire Weekend-where all the band members were styled in hockey uniforms (Isles, Rags, Devils, River Rats).
This is great stuff and I know there much more for the coming year. I hope media networks show the deserved shine and support. -
mickeyboy7 says:
Speaking of “good products” I wonder how the radio ratings are compared to last season. Last week I was forced to listen due to being in the car and it is just IMPOSSIBLE to follow the game. Howie & Billy have not made one single change in their TV broadcast to aid those listening on the simulcast. Even the shootout was ridiculous. If he scores the Isles will win…………………………………………………………………the Isles WIN!
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See, Islanders fans aren’t paranoid or anything.
Thanks for the smile #55. Helps after a long day of work.
I guess you missed the offseason when there were posts about how this blog was almost no more until the generous folks at Fanhouse stepped up for us.
So CB, next time the Isles have huge victory, dont write about it. It might further the ‘conspiracy’.
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Dan says:
Mickeyboy7 is 100% correct. Its impossible to listen to the games on the radio. Chris- can you find out the radio ratings? I can’t blame Howie or Billy on this. I blame the Islanders on trying to save a few bucks.
Back in the day we took pride in that announced crowd of 16234 every night. I’ll know we are all the way back when on a tuesday nite against carolina with no giveaways we sell out.