SNY POINT BLANK TV: MICHAEL PICKER
NYI Senior VP, President of Wang’s real estate group
1:45 pm: Among many other items, Picker confirms that Charles Wang will pay for overages beyond the $350 million bonded if more money is needed for the construction of the arena, discusses the August 1 vote, responds to the developers at the ABLI, appeals for support and lends insight into his group’s plan for revenue sharing on the rest of the Coliseum site. Please watch and comment.
81 Responses to SNY POINT BLANK TV: MICHAEL PICKER
NYI Senior VP, President of Wang’s real estate group
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Alan says:
Cool new opening graphic AND an Islanders guest! It’s another new era for Point Blank! LOL
Great to hear from Picker. Shocked he did this. Not because it was with you, but because I don’t think he’s ever done a broadcast interview. I didn’t know what he looks like or sounded like. I thought he came across great here and represented Wang well.
He probably knows he’s in the fight for his life and appreciate all support. As Islanders fans we should support everything that happens this offseason.
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nyifan72 says:
Very, very, VERY happy to see that everyone is taking the advice from the Tony Fitzgerald story and putting pettiness behind them for the sake of the greater good. An important interview heading into the holiday weekend and the vote on Tuesday.
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bergie says:
I want the behind-the-scenes video. How did this interview come about? CB: Did you invite him or did he or the Islanders say he wanted to come on.
Obviously what’s most important is that he did the interview and gave up some new information here. Thanks to Picker for doing it no matter how it came about.
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Smitty says:
Tuesday: the vote for the vote
mid June: Picker and Nassau reveal all the details everyone wants. The fighting really begins, NIFA makes another statement
late June: draft
July 1: free agency
mid-July: non-stop campaigning until vote
August 1 (probably): the public vote
Just another offseason with the Islanders. It won’t be boring.
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David in Lynbrook says:
Wang will pay every dollar over 350 mill. I repeat: WANG WILL PAY EVERY DOLLAR OVER $350 MILL
That’s the headline from the interview. Hopefully a lot of fans share this link and spread the word.
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Tim F says:
You’re probably gonna get some grief for letting Wang’s guy speak after the Islanders banned you, but I’m glad you were man enough to make this happen. Great spot. I don’t know how Kate Murray lives with the shame.
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Big Van Vader says:
Hey Smitty, you forgot the statement NIFA makes after the vote passes on August 1st saying how this will nver happen under THEIR watch. Seriously, let’s hope Wang and Mangano get them all the details and it actually works in Nassau County’s favor financially.
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Billy the Kid says:
I guess it was too early to ask him about my ticket prices?!!! I know. Long way to go.
Picker made the case well. By the way he answerd your question about an August 1st postponement, you can tell this is pretty much the last deal to keep the Islanders in Nassau. I really hope it works out.
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pdebenedetto says:
CB, with all of this IPB coverage, you should be MCing the announcement of the YES vote!!!
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Ian Caterina says:
Great interviews Chris. This is the reason that PB is first in my favorites list. We just can’t find such in depth coverage anywhere else. Enjoy the holiday weekend with your family!
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Wow, I owe Mr. Wang an apology. I was really off base being so critical of him last year, for not caring about the team and the fans. He has stepped up in such a big way to keep the Islanders here. At this point, he can never be blamed if the team moves. Chris, I know it’s early in the process, but would naming rights for the arena come into play to generate added income for the county?
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Dave says:
Excellent Interview CB! I truly think if charles Wang pays for the AUG 1st polling and any excess of building the arena which i know will be a little over budget because i have family members in construction will pass! All the parties need to get together, Echeos should be out the door! I can tell you this i knew when the lighhouse was proposed the residents where not happy! This is a much better result unless NIFA shoots it down!
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bags says:
I kind of feel sorry for this guy. You know he works his tail off and sounds like a nice man. But NIFA is going to make his life and our lives miserable. This could be smooth sailing past the August vote and NIFA could still pull the rug out.
I really hope Picker and Wang are able to prove how the bond will be paid back. I don’t have much faith in Mangano.
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Potvin5 says:
This video clinches it. What more can Wang possibly do?
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Voter says:
Built it!!!!!
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BryanG says:
Wang still deserves heat for owning a team that hasn’t won anything in 11 years, but should get respect for still trying to make it work after all this time. Sometimes I wonder why he is so committed to Long Island. Think about how many people move away.
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Steve says:
Wang and Mangano better have a reasonable and realistic revenue sharing plan come mid-June otherwise NIFA will kill it. After listening to this, can’t criticize or question Wang’s dedication to this team and the Island. Fingers crossed on that we will have a new arena.
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Mars Bonfire says:
Wang has put up. There will probably be cost over runs He could be on the hook for 100m plus. Good for him. If this does not go through Long Island does not deserve a hockey team.
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Art says:
You were right to suggest to Picker that Wang should offer to pay for the vote with no strings attached. Wayne Wink said yesterday it doesn’t look good for Wang to only offer to pay if he wins and he was right about that looking bad in the court of public opinion.
Wang should announce Tuesday morning that he’ll pay for the vote no matter what and he’s picking up all costs after the 350 million. Would be a huge PR boost for the deal.
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I’ll say it again that Wang knows 100% about NIFA and what they would need to approve this. No way they went into this blind, not after all these years.
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Greg says:
The mid-June announcement of the full details means everything. Let’s hope they answer all the questions. Right now there is so much that nobody knows about the deal.
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MH says:
Thanks for doing this!
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Turgeon1993 says:
Let’s hope the hockey season is as exciting as the offseason.
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Nick says:
The Masked Man Picker steps out and talks Coliseum for 15 minutes! Great job. They have my vote and everyone I can find to get to the election with me.
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Strummer's Army says:
Very informative! Glad he participated.
I think what is clear now is who Kate Murray has been working for. Obviously one of the developers in the group that has stated they want the bidding process reopened for the remainder of the property. Jives totally with what Murray has constantly said, “Why can’t Charles just have an arena?”. Like, you just get the arena and one of my friends can hit the jackpot with the lucrative part of the land development and we’ll freeze you out of it. That is probably why she is going along with the arena. Charles Wang deserves the entire project! He deserves an opportunity to recoup some of the tens of millions he has lost keeping this team here and upgrading a facility he has no obligation to.
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
I like the new look Point Blank TV CB!!
That was a very informative interview… even without giving up the nuggets of what will make up the plan between Nassau and the Islanders.
Oh… and CB … is this a sign of a thaw between the Islanders and you? Or is that strictly with Garth? You don’t have to answer in this space … just wondering.
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Patty says:
dzruggie – i have to disaigree with you buddy. wang never had a backroom deal with kate murray so i don’t see how he could have a deal with a state agency like NIFA. also, if he had a deal with NIFA how come they’ve been critical of it already — especially the one guy Marlin.
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Ed from Hempstead says:
I hope this is the start of the Islanders working again with this blog for the sake of getting everyone charge up to get to the polls when they have the vote. That was a very cool move by Mr. Picker to get the ball rolling with this interview.
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Lets get this done! Don’t be intimidated by NIFA. Maybe if they see a huge majority in the election on August, theyll back off! We’re too close. We can’t let the naysayers bring us down.
UNITE!!!
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I wonder if NIFA can say no to the August 1 referendum after seeing the numbers in mid-June even after the legislature voted for that date.
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Sean says:
Next on SNY PB TV: Charles Wang
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Ny711 says:
Picker had the perfect response for the developers who want to suck the life out of the development. If they want the property, they should step up and get involved financially with the team and the arena.
Here’s an idea: if Rechler wants a few acres, he should buy the naming rights to the new Coliseum. The Reckson Veterans Memorial Coliseum. 20 years, 100 million dollars. Deal?
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Boss says:
Tuesday better not go bad. Would be a real bad sign if it did. That should be the easy part. It’s just tough to have a lot of faith in these politicians.
Don’t forget to get out, make sure you’re registered and vote!
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i hope wang and snow finally realize how everyone has to come together on this and how important c.b. is in keeping us informed and asking the right questions that need to be asked in helping this critical vote pass that will make everyone happy. do the right thing charles wang and garth snow, now is the time for you to say how much you appreciate the great work c.b. is doing, and say that he is welcome back at the nvmc.
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Bassen says:
It really hits home watching great teams with young players like Boston and TB battle tonight. We have an amazing future but theres no way we sustain it if this building problem doesn’t get wrapped up very soon. Even the uncertainty of a move to somewhere close like Queens could throw everything out of wack. This needs to happen this summer to keep all the positive momentum and finally see the future through.
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gino says:
Picker was down to earth and reasonable. He’s a good spokesman for this deal. He sounded confident, but you can tell that he’s prepared for just about anything. I hope there’s no funny stuff over the next few weeks. We’ve waited long enough and so has Wang. It’s time. Build it.
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Volek says:
It’s the Summer of Love. Chris has a top Islanders guy on his show. Peace.
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Dan from Westchester (was Roslyn) says:
Finally got around to watching this after Game 7. I liked Picker’s sincerity. He obviously believes in what’s he’s doing and I thought it was awesome he took his case to IPB.
Tuesday should go well, but his mid-June date is going to be big. That’s when word will get out about the revenue sharing and plans to develop around the arena. Then the outside developers are going to have fits and NIFA will have something to say about the entire plan.
For now, I’m going to be optimistic.
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Brian from Massapequa says:
NIFA should hopefully not be a concern. Their primary business is to monitor the county’s finances. This is the key thing here – if all costs are covered under the bonding agreement and/or by the Islanders, than it will have no effect on the general county budget. That is why it is urgent that Charles Wang and the Islanders offer to pay for the vote regardless of the results. This should render NIFA unable to have any impact on the project at all. That is my understanding of NIFA’s role…though I could be wrong.
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Zarley says:
Guys, it’s not too early to make sure we all have August 1st in our calendars. Of course you have to be a Nassau resident to vote but I’m sure there will be ways for every Islander fan in New York to get involved. I hope Point Blank keeps doing its part.
The Islanders can count me in for my participation and vote.
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You’re partly right IMO. You’re definitely right as was Chris that Wang should offer to pay either way. It doesn’t look good for Wang to say he’ll only pay if he wins. The politician said the same thing the other day and Yatauro last week implored Wang to reconsider that position.
NIFA can argue against a bond for a multi-millionaire to have a new arena especially at a time when Nassau is beyond broke. We know this already because NIFA sent out a statement questioning the deal right away and one of its members has criticized the deal in at least three articles that I can think of.
NIFA can kill this or maybe make its own counter suggestions. BUt I wouldn’t say they can’t have a problem just because its a bond. We might now like it, but they could and probably will have some argument.
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gary says:
Chris,
any word on the actual design of the arena–Is it”state of the art”? Similiar to Devils or other arena?Did i read a total reveal happens mid June? Enjoy your articles.. A total scoop would be a NIFA interview -
Frustrated Voter says:
As I have stated all along, Kate Murray is an idi**. Now it seems like she is also a corrupt idi** backing special interests or friends that have not been publicly named yet. This is definitely worth investigating. (Hello Newsday or is Newsday part of the conspiracy?) If Kate Murray and her cronies are blocking the Islanders because they want the land development rights for themselves, they SHOULD GO TO JAIL.
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valentino says:
after all these years it amazes me that some people still don’t understand. Why should Wang have to pay for reconstruction of something that ISNT his and he CANT make money on?
The arena does not belong to him. It belongs to Nassau county. Why should he hand nassau county 400 million dollars of his own money? This is the equivalent of any one of you walking up to the home of a complete stranger, and offering to knock the house down and build a state of the art house in its place, then walk away for the strangers to gain all the benefit. Anyone willing to do that?
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DPS says:
This deal is the Islanders’ last chance to stay in Nassau. Brooklyn and Queens are not good options right now and may never be. So figure it out.
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Lauren says:
Michael Picker should do this more often and do updates with you every other week until August 1st if he wants to get the message out.
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isles72 says:
ding ding , we’re finally in the 15th round of the heavyweight matchup -hopefully the good guys win .
Chris -if Oprah can have her own network , so should you .
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Blizzard says: ….I think its only right that Wanger says he will pay only if he wins with all the corruption and ineptitude he has endured at the hands of our elected officials.
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Mario says:
The thought of this very talented group of players growing together and us moving into a new Coliseum is incredibly exciting as we head into the summer.
Have a great weekend and let’s not forget our American heroes.
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Wangano says:
Everyone’s confidence about Tuesday worries me. Wink said anything can happen if tempers flare.
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jimmy says:
For the next three months lets everyone work together and close the deal and get Long Island the arena we deserve.
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M Lawrence says:
Build it next summer!
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Mike L says:
This was a good interview but you have to have him on in mid June after they give out all the details. Challenge him on the stuff that’s not clear and make sure all the questions are answered.
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Can we explore the possibility of going over NIFA’s head if they kill this deal? CB, you noted that we could go straight to the Gov.
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dg putney says:
You continue to supply us with
fantastic information.
here`s a small but -
you really need to get a wardrobe consultant -
mht says:
Chris thanks for an insightful interview.With the possible political and geographic machinations of NIFA,I would like to bring to light then financing history of the HSBC arena {Home of the Buffalo Sabres} and the Carrier Dome [home of Syracuse University NCAA Div I Basketball and Football}.HSBC Arena opened up in 1996 to replace the aging Buffalo Memorial Auditorium aka The Aud. The total cost of construction was $127.5 Million dollars.$72 Million dollars was raised privately.$55 Million dollars was raised from the combined efforts of New York State {Thru the Urban Development Corporation],Erie County and the City of Buffalo.The Carrier Dome opened up in 1980 at a cost of $20 Million dollars, of which $15 million Dollars was paid for by THE STATE OF NEW YORK.The Taxpayers of Long Island contributed towards both projects.My point is that if upstate NY members of NIFA try to stymie this project if approved by the residents of Nassau County on Aug. 1. Governor Cuomo should be made aware of the impropriety.
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joe b says:
Chris: thanks for using your forum at SNY to bring this important subject to light. Thanks also to Michael Picker for doing this interview heading into the big legislative meeting on Tuesday.
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mht: Good post, but I don’t know what you mean by upstate members of NIFA. They’re not based in Albany. Many of them have offices in Manhattan and do work on Long Island. What happened in Syracuse doesn’t have much to do with what’s going on in broke Nassau, I’m afraid.
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Sorry you have to put up with fans like dg putney. Can’t believe we’ve got people commenting on your wardrobe. Tool.
Keep up the great work. I agree with the readers who say you and Picker should make this a regular segment until the vote. If Picker can’t do it every time then you should invite other key people. Wang should do one.
Vote YES on August 1st.
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Bruce says:
CB and everyone – have a nice Memorial Day weekend. Tuesday is the first step in a long process and I’m more optimistic than ever about our team and our hopes for a new arena.
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Tom says:
Every year the state takes $3 billion more out of Long Island than it puts back in. This is the primary reason why our taxes are high and the county is broke. Now we have a state commission (NIFA) ready to overturn the will of the people in order to protect their cash cow.
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derek says:
This is the deal that has to happen. Picker might have to make a few changes after NIFA pushed back, but they shouldn’t be major ones. This is a very exciting time for the franchise.
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Get. It. Done. Now.
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As an Islander fan, one knows not to be too overjoyed yet. I will contain my enthusiam until its official.
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walsh says:
Can anyone picture NIFA releasing a statement denouncing the deal on Tuesay morning before the legislature votes on it at 1:00? I can.
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CC says:
Although we don’t have all the details, Picker has enough to get legislature to approve on Tuesday. It should be another big day in an offseason filled with them for the Islanders and us.
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JT says:
Finally, a shovel going into the ground for a new arena and finally a competitive team of home-grown players. Is this too good to be true?
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isles516 says:
64 – Tom – great points!
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Kallur says:
Thanks for fighting the good fight. Great job by Mr. Picker taking the fight to the readers here. Excellent stuff all around. He has my support.
I hope everyone has a nice Memorial Day and takes the time to honor our fallen heroes.
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Al L says:
Walsh#69! NIFA has no grounds denouncing a deal before knowing detailed facts. Doing so would be abusing their power and failure to do their job. It will be up to Mangano and the powers to be to provide transparency in total between now and August 1st. That committee should have no nook or cranny to wiggle thru and claim foul. This guy Marlin perceives himself as a loudmouth,troublemaker who could very well have interest groups in his back pocket.
Hopefully he doesn’t represent the entire NIFA committee’s conduct and stance! -
TM says:
How does Wang pay everything over $350 mil for an arena when he always has the lowest payroll and can’t even pay for decent radio?
Assuming NIFA doesn’t kill this, what would be left to run NYI? Rev sharing is gonna cover all that? Sounds like even if NYI stay on LI they’ll always have the lowest payroll with no PR and can’t compete.
Picker seems desperate.
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Trevor says:
TM: I hear what you’re saying, but I guess the hope (OUR hope as fans) is if he gets this building Wang will have more money to spend over the cap and helping us act like a major league team
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nhl80 says:
Vote less than 24 hours away. Hope for the best
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Billy the Kid says:
Legislature better not screw this up tomorrow. Wink scared me when he said, “You never know…”
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Nyles says:
4 days after PB got Wink on taking talking about his ammendments, what the Dems don’t like and how they’ll vote yes anyway, Newsday has a story tonight talking about the ammendments, what the Dems don’t like and how they’ll vote anyway.
I’d give you the link but it costs $5 to read and CB wrote this story in a few places last week.
Newsday’s all over it!
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The approval on Tuesday is not really big news. Without the details Picker promised in mid-June there’s no much to rail against. It’s what happens after the revenue sharing plan is announced that matters most.
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Marc says:
With today’s announcement that the Thrashers have been sold and are relocating to Winnipeg, I read the following quote from Winnipeg’s mayor:
“You have to remember about 15 years ago, it was like someone stuck a fist through your rib cage an pulled out your heart. The fan support in this city was phenomenal. The only reason the Jets left here was simply because of the fact we did not have a proper facility and the powers that be at the time could not get their act together to build a new arena.”
H”You have to remember about 15 years ago, it was like someone stuck a fist through your rib cage an pulled out your heart. The fan support in this city was phenomenal. The only reason the Jets left here was simply because of the fact we did not have a proper facility and the powers that be at the time could not get their act together to build a new arena.”
Sounds familiar. Hopefully we can avoid losing the team!!!
Why dont you ever hear about this guy?