WHILE NASSAU FIDDLES WITH ANOTHER MEETING…
…Wang is listening to offers from municipalities in New York and elsewhere
There will be a meeting about the future of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum property on Tuesday at 2:00 pm at the headquarters of the Nassau County Legislature. The meeting will be led by Republican legislature member Denise Ford, who is the chairwoman of the Economic and Community Development and Labor Committee.
Tuesday’s meeting may be another snoozefest, but Nassau had better wake up soon. According to sources with intimate knowledge of the situation, Charles Wang is listening to any municipality that wants to make the Islanders feel at home.
At Ford’s meeting – open to the public – you can be sure every politician and real estate developer speaking will include a nod to the Islanders. “Let me make it clear that we want our Islanders to stay,” at least one will say. Some will profess to be Islanders fans. One or two might not even be lying about it.
Not much will come out of the meeting, but Feb. 14 will be an historic day. Should the unthinkable happen – the Islanders leave Nassau – Tuesday will be remembered as the official beginning of the end.
“The focus of the meeting will be on what can be done with the entire property,” said Ford, who hopes to make the case for more money from New York State.
Three of the leading men with the plan to develop the Coliseum are influential members of the Association For A Better Long Island. You remember the ABLI, the group that spent a lot of money and influence campaigning against the Aug. 1 referendum.
These gentlemen wanted what’s best for Long Island and now – presto – they want to develop the property. Vincent Polimeni? He lost the bid in 2005 to the Lighthouse Group. Ed Blumenfeld? You got it. He came up way short almost seven years ago. Jan Burman? Another loser to the Lighthouse.
Lucky for them, the Lighthouse was shuttered by Kate Murray and the Town of Hempstead. Now, without the Islanders and without the Coliseum, Polimeni, Blumenfeld and Burman want their chance to lead Nassau in its development of the Hub – in their words, “with or without the Islanders.”
It’s no wonder Wang hasn’t said anything substantive about the arena issue since Aug. 1.
Behind the scenes, however, he is enjoying his free agency. After the referendum was fumbled by County Executive Edward Mangano and rejected by Nassau voters, Wang did not hang his head. He told his staff, as he told the press that night, that there was gold in the Coliseum’s expiring lease.
Sources insist that he is utilizing his leverage to be prepared for 2015.
But here’s where it gets really dicey for the true Orange and Blue believers, and those ignorant folks – namely, this writer – who found the notion of the Islanders ever leaving New York inconceivable.
Wang does not want to leave Nassau County, and staying put remains his first choice. But when I asked top executives to confirm that Wang will only consider overtures from municipalities within the New York metropolitan area, I could not get a promise on or off the record.
“I can’t guarantee that anymore,” said one source on high. “They are looking at options inside and outside of New York State. It would be misleading to say New York only.”
So there you have it.
After offering to pay for the Lighthouse Project under a Democratic county regime and watching the Republican-led referendum fail – and now having to endure watching ABLI members tell the county what it should build – Wang is listening to everyone. He wanted a yes or no and heard no twice, emphatically, on a pair of diverse arena development deals. And now Mangano is listening to offers from developers who acted without conscience around a conflict of interest to kill his own referendum.
Dum de-dum dum.
Wang’s options are endless — Brooklyn, Queens, Suffolk – and apparently boundless, too. A few Canadian cities want an NHL team and are willing to write blank checks to get one. Wang, who does not have the Islanders on the market and would be foolish to sell after hanging on while sustaining $200 million in losses, will do what he has to. (And to be clear, while there may be one or two wannabe saviors out there with fantasies of buying the Islanders and making it work in Nassau, no one has yet to make an offer. So far, it has been just the kind of all talk and no action the under-financed Bob Gutkowski teased fans with in the 90s). After owning the Islanders for 12 years, Wang does not have to worry about anyone questioning his loyalty to Long Island.
Nassau, of course, is not out of the running. But 40 years after the Coliseum opened, 30 years after the dynasty, and 15 years after the Gulotta-Milstein fiasco, what was once thought impossible could actually happen. The Islanders could leave Nassau County. The Islanders could leave New York.
If they do, put all those developers who claimed to want a better Long Island at the top of the list of people who made it possible.
217 Responses to WHILE NASSAU FIDDLES WITH ANOTHER MEETING…
…Wang is listening to offers from municipalities in New York and elsewhere
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Chris A says:
Good work even though it kind of ruined my day.
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SBIsles says:
Tough to hear but completely understandable. I truly hope they make it work in Brooklyn as I maintain Nassau is no longer deserving of a professional sports franchise after the way it has taken the Isles for granted for decades. Brooklyn offers growth, profitability and a return to respectability.
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Mike says:
Jay Jacobs & Desmond Ryan are CROOKS!!!!!!
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ryan says:
This is disgusting. The politics on long island and the developers alike are all in it for one thing, money. The closer 2015 comes the more likely it is that they move away from Long Island. After 20 years of watching terrible Islanders hockey they leaving, just when we can see light at the end of the tunnel. If this happens I will be sure to never move back to Long Island again, the politicians in this area are nothing but conniving thieves.
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Dan says:
I will support this team where ever they move. I kinda want them to move so that they will have the resources to sign players and become a good team.
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4countem4superbowlwins says:
Dan, agree with you 100% – I will watch and support and remember the packed barn from the old days. But they need to move, get a real GM, and I’ll watch along with ya!!
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Joe says:
How is Snow not a real GM? Name one thing he’s done poorly since taking over.
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Derek says:
Serious? How about signing Rick DiPietro to a 15 year contract???
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rick says:
Dipietro’s 15 yr deal was negotiated in 2005 under Milbury (the nhl stalled it), and was officially signed 2 months after snow took over, milbury and wangs doing, not snow. so…..name one thing that snow did poorly.
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Mike says:
Come on Rick, How about picking off Grabner from the waivers and signing PA and drafting JT. How about snagging Nabby off waivers and actually seeing a need at goalie and filling it in the draft. How about working with the leagues lowest payroll b/c the owner is not willing to spend money on the team. Guys like Derek just like to take shots at him b/c he was a player that took over the spot without really doing some research. I’d like to see him operate with an owner willing to spend some money.
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scott says:
snow has done the right thing with the rebuild….he is keeping his prospects and has done a great job picking up players that needed a fresh start on a new team…I agree…with that said this team probably would be two points out of the 8th spot if haily and konopka stayed on the island…they were part of the chemistry of the rebuild he was putting together…DUMB DUMB DUMB…and banning chris botta, the two did not have to love each other, but it is not like this team gets an unprecidented amount of media coverage to begin with…DUMBER DUMBER DUMBER…..
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Cold Spring Harbor says:
Nice sentiments but how many KC Scouts fans still follow the Devils?
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Dave says:
agree 100% on brooklyn comment. so long as it’s the NY area (which BK obviously is) i almost prefer them winding up there at this point.
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The New Isles GM says:
People can say what they want about Brooklyn, but I do know this, and I am speaking for myself here…I will be at the pre-season game vs. the Devils in Brooklyn. If the Islanders continue to schedule more games there, I will attend. If they make it their new home once the lease expires, I will be there. I will not invest one dime in Nassau ever again. Call it selfish, ignorant, whatever you want, but all this political drama football game sh*t, they don’t deserve my very small “disposable income”. Brooklyn on the other hand…..
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Irish Isle says:
Chris, Have you heard anything about either Belmont or Aqueduct properties as possible locations?
And even though new was unpleasent, nice to see you back.
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Seth says:
I remember over 15 years ago when this whole mess started. The big comments then were, the Islanders have an iron-clad lease until 2015 and aren’t going anywhere. Well that was around 1995 and since then, NOTHING has been done and 20 years is down to three years. Oh well, it has been a helluva ride at the NVMC!!! I hope for Queens but with a new arena scheduled to open in Quebec City in 2015, I fear they are going to head north of the border! Just remember to thank Kate Murray as the Isles leave NY!
Good work Chris!
Seth in Pennsylvania
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J from nj says:
I’ll support them wherever they go, even if it’s out of the state.
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DP says:
I won’t be able to root for them if they move to a different region. But if they stay in the Northeast, I’m fine with a move. Wang has done everything possible to get a deal done. Private financing, public debt, you name it. He’s been told no every time. Snow is handcuffed on putting a legit team on the ice due to the finances. If they at least had a deal done, they could begin spending the money knowing it is coming down the road.
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DWC says:
This is sickening.
I do not blame Charles Wang in the least. He should find a greener pasture as soon as possible. Go short term in Brooklyn at the very least.
Any chance of getting out of the lease in Nassau????? If the county wants to build on the without the Isles, make a deal to clear out at the end of the year so the county can save money maintaining the building for 3 more seasons.
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Game Misconduct says:
DWC,
You havent been snoozing in class, have you? Charlie Wang is maintaining the building! You dont think the county put in the new electronics and screens throughout the place and a brand new locker room and players lounge! Get the facts my brother!
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I think I was awake… Do a simple search on bing and you’ll see that as reported by Chris Botta on July 9, 2011, the team had to petition the county for between $4 million in repairs on the roof, seats and the refrigeration system for the ice surface.
I am aware that Charles Wang has foolishly invested money in the building in the past, but I’m fairly certain that he will not be dipping into his own pockets and the county is on the hook over the next 3 years.
I’ll be more careful next time I post if you will my brother!
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harry says:
it amazes me what these developers would put on this property if they win this whole battle and the Isles leave. What could possibly go there? Not to be mean, but who is going to rent upscale apartments or even regular aparemtns on hempstead turnpike next to a college and a few blocks from a very risky area? And is the alternative a bunch of box stores? What else could possibly go here? It’s going to be something once these developers build whatever they build, get paid, and then wash their hands of the situation when all of the buildings have no tenants. Regardless of the Islanders, Long Island needs a real arena to keep long islanders spending their money on entertainment here, and not at MSG or the Barclays, the conflicts of interest that CB mentions that are being overlooked and even supported by the Nassau government are just astounding.
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Nosebleed says:
Look on the brightside, we get another 3 years of pitiful hockey.
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No, nosebleed, your wrong! Mama says the Islanders will be tearing up the league when the bolt for the door! In three more years, with the same core group, these guys will be a treat to watch…..watch them run the F@#$ out of Dodge!
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Cappyout says:
I’ll say it again and again… as long as they are the “New York Islanders” I don’t care where they play. Moving outside of NY would be a heartbreaker.
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moonshine says:
chris, i don’t get why it’d be foolish for wang to sell after taking all the losses.
to me selling seems like the obvious way to make his money back.
in my opinion isles are gone post-2015. -
gary91922 says:
what a joke… politicians and special interest groups have killed this county. Sell your home and run for another place to live….. Watch, somehow taxes will go up and we will lose the Isles.
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i hope wang finds a deal that makes him happy and the team is finally put in a place where they are wanted and can thrive.
i see no reason why nassau should enjoy the benefits of this team. i just wish i knew where they’d land so i could make my next move. im really pulling for queens or brooklyn…
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Also, would be interesting to see what happened behind the scenes between Kate Murray and the ABLI. I may be way off base, but it all seems very convenient now how everything is falling into place for ABLI.
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Isles316 says:
Harry I have thought that all along.
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gutty34 says:
I live in Nassau – I know the impact of what will happen to my property taxes – I pray they leave and stick it to every person who voted no and is now wondering why they saw their 2016 bill increase by hundreds instead of the mere 16-52 the arena would have done. At this point – Brooklyn looks great. I will be there in Oct – and I actually expect a full house. I will follow and watch this team wherever they end up – hopefully somewhere in NY – just not Nassau. How sad that an actual resident doeasnt want them here – I so badly want to hear the 1st complaint when they leave. I hear the seniors now. Mr. Jacobs….you said to vote no and my taxes would remain as is – why did I just get a 400 increase I cant afford??? Lets see these fat self serving putz politicians talk there way out of this.
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Ted S says:
We will see just how much they want to keep the Islanders. Everyone who’s killed Wang for supposedly going after a land grab well,what do u think ABLI is? Losing the Isles & putting up another Mall that will probably go bust too just makes me sick. There would be no reason for me to have anything to do with Nassau County ever again. RIP 2015
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Muggsy says:
What is really painful about this is how slow yet obvious what the final result will be. This really stinks, yet we all knew this would happen.
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I honestly believe that Brooklyn is our only real option/hope to keeping the team in New York.
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Catman says:
I still still think that the Devils ownership situation will force a sale and re-location of that franchise, and that that the Prudential Center in Newark, could be the future home of the NJ Islanders.
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Steve J says:
You can’t blame Wang anymore if he wants to pack up and take the best offer available come 2015 but it will be interesting to see if Gary Bettman and the NHL Board of Governors allows this team to move out of NY. Teams can’t sell and relocate on their own without league approval. Brooklyn could be used as a temporary option. Its a joke that a once historic franchise is getting their eviction notice from this joke of a town and county.
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LetsGoIsles says:
I don’t blame Wang at all. This is on Kate Murray and now, Mangano, who seems completely inept. As a lifelong Long Islander, I ask what exactly these anti-Isles morons think will happen with The Hub when the team leaves? More strip malls and apartment complexes and restaurants I guess, because, ya know, we have such a shortage. It breaks my heart that the team might leave but I’ve been feeling that impending doom for a while now and until it happens, I’ll show my support by putting my butt in a Coliseum seat, for as long as I can afford it and frankly, no matter how much the team on the ice breaks my heart, because the possibility of them leaving altogether hurts more.
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Danny says:
This makes me so depressed honestly. I don’t even feel like watching the remander of the season now..:/
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Brian G says:
Wang should just sell now and say whoever buys the team can move it wherever they want and see that reaction…What does he have to lose.
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Steve C says:
I really hope that Wang is listening to offers out of NY state just to drive up the price. I really hope they end up in either Brooklyn or Queens.
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PMA72 says:
Wang would almost have to be NUTS .. NOT to move the team AWAY from Long Island. He has nothing to gain from staying there now and everything to gain by leaving. Long Island doesn’t offer anything except nastalgia and that gets you nowhere as an Islander owner.
It hasn’t gotten players to sign there!
It doesn’t get butts in the seats!
It didn’t get him local government backing!
It didn’t get him local resident backing!
Even under his plan it only gets him a MODIFIED refurbished stadium. Not a state of the art brand spanking new stadium!!! and forces him to keep the political BS in the back of his mind…Moving to BROOKLYN reunites the Isles with the Nets! Talk about PR ! !
Gets rid of his L.I. headaches!!
Provides door to door transportation which if coupled with more signings due to new stadium and location will then put butts in the seat!!MORE REVENUE??? !!! OH YEAH this all translates into more revenue! !
More revenue gives you the opportunity to spend above the cap floor which should hopefully translate into more winsMore wins hopefully translates into more playoff appearances! More playoff appearances translates into more opportunities to win the CUP THE HOLY GRAIL!!
This gets me excited! I’m a fan I will make more trips out to Brooklyn to bring energy to a stadium which will help make th eplayers more excited to play there…
WANG??? Crazy if he doesn’t move the team!!!
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Subydude says:
With a new building and out from under the oppressive SMG lease there is more than enough revenue here – I would guess more than most other places.
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Yeah.. but frankly I am not looking forward to paying $30 to park and $15 for a beer either. And if they build a “brand spanking new” place, the ticket prices will go through the roof. I have yet to go to CitiField for the same reason. I used to always go to Shea. Now? I simply can’t afford to.
With that being said, I still don’t want the Isles in Nassau. Nassau can reap the whirlwind. I am still crossing my fingers that they can at least include Suffolk in the talks.
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Islesneedpride says:
Good luck to the greedy developers. Have fun working with Kate, and her Democratic rivals. She is not going to allow retail. More empty office buildings? Those guys better be writing some big checks to both political parties. The pols in Nassau County are self serving and inept.
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isles72 says:
thanks for the update CB .
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AliSeguna says:
I cannot stand this anymore. It’s more then obviously hurting the team and the fans and the Islanders deserve better then this. I live in Nassau and all this makes me want to move far far away. They deserve better, we deserve better. I will follow the team no matter where they end up!
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sean says:
The sad thing about this is that none of these politicians problably never set foot in the hockey hall of fame and saw the islanders team represented in the dynasty hall and only a few teams accomplish that. Not even the rangers are represented in that area. Just a sad sad situation how politics and local scum bags destroy a once dominate and proud franchise. I will never spend money in that sh** county again and I hope all the politics and idiots that voted no and were against the lighthouse suffer higher taxes. Nassau county means uneducated people and scum politics.
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John says:
listen, the political mechanism in nassau county and the town of hempstead is as corrupt as it gets. make no mistake, when you survey the demographics of long island, recognize the enormous affluence that exists on both shores and then realize that the area’s one entertainment venue looks like it should be the centerpiece of some rural, bankrupt county with a population of 10,000 in way upstate new york it sticks in the craw of any taxpayer who calls long island home. but wang and his crew of former CA executives–a very smart, aggressive bunch that excelled in what they knew, technology–have for some unexplained reason never pushed the proper button to trigger their agenda. if only they would step aside on the hockey operations side and hire a team of real hockey people to run that aspect of the business. if the team WON wang & co., would have those slimy politicians over a barrel of public opinion that would be unrelenting. if the islanders as a team were more that a long island sideshow and part of the core fabric of daily suburban living then the voters would have the real say and the politicians would have to give wang what he wants for fear of being booted out of office. but to many residents the isles have as much appeal as a roller derby team. look at what jeremy lin has done to transform the knicks into mainstream local culture. you don’t think a few trips deep into the stanley cup playoffs wouldn’t have many resident of LI talking about their hockey team, with pride, at the mall, in restaurants, at church, etc.? wang has failed at tapping into the mainstream of long island because in 12 years he entrusted his product to a couple of general managers who were, quite frankly, abysmal at their jobs. in both cases he failed to fire them when it became clear that they were not up to snuff. that garth snow has been allowed to retain his position while literally doing nothing other than drafting the mediocre and picking up a couple of waiver wire guys is mind-boggling. floor or no floor, the dude still has $40 million or so to spend. and the best he could come up with has been rolston, reasoner, pandolfo, staios, eaton, motteau? the guy hasn’t been able to pull the trigger on one trade since smyth. yet he complains that free agents don’t want to sign here. well, if that’s the case then you better develop a proficiency at dealing with your peer GMs to build out the roster that way. so this arena debate is what it is because the owner can’t galvanize the populace. and that’s because the team has no sex appeal and success. he needs to hold his hockey people way more accountable.
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BanGarth says:
Amen to that John, so true. I love this franchise as much as anyone on this site. I was raised going to the coliseum during the golden years and I always thought one day I would be able to take my kids. If they leave it will break my heart but if that’s what it takes to get rid of Snow and get an owner who will spend the money and bring in real executives with experience so be it. I have two boys now and I would rather them root for the KC Isles than watch this regime and suffer the way the die hards have for the last 20 years. If I had my wish they would be moving into the Citifield area as it is the easiest to get to by public transportation.
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Dk says:
John, you just started a bro*mance. Obviously the politicians are all crap and corrupt but to say wang isn’t in anyway liable is looking at things with a warped sense of reality.
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Mike Z says:
Did you forget how the Smythe deal ended up? He signed with Colorado for half a million LESS. You don’t think other FA’s saw that and took notice? Half a mil is nothing to sneeze at, even for Cap’n Canada.
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Lanny says:
Well said John. Sad to say that unless Wang checks his ego at the door the team will never improve. Remember how he wanted the front office run by committee? He didn’t want Neil Smith, who he had just hired as GM, to have sole control of making hockey decisions. You have to wonder what kind of team this would be if Smith was still here running things the way he knows how.
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IslesFan says:
John,
I disagree. All I see that Wang tried to do is save this team. Maybe he did not do some right things in keeping Milbury around for so long (yet he always seems to have a job), but I can’t blame the man for trying. As bad as Islanders are now, they were worse with the Milstein group. Palffy was basically sold off because they could not afford to pay him.
Wang came in a dipped into his pockets for Yashin and Peca. That is more than the Milstein group did.
Finally, Wang came up with a plan to save this franchise, it was the HUB project. No tax dollars. The money from the development rights could have funded the team. What was so bad about it? Increased traffic? We have insane traffic now.
I cannot blame Wang for not paying big money to free agents right now. He has nothing to show for it. No arena deal, no development rights…in fact, there is a group basically telling the Islanders to leave Nassau because they can have better use of the Coliseum.
This is Wang’s fault? Sorry, but no.
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Schultz39 says:
Thanks CB for the update, but seems like more of the same ol’, same ol’.
You’ve mentioned options outside of New York a few times in your story….would going to CT and bringing NHL hockey back to the Hartford area be a possibility?
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DonK says:
The Isles earn less every time they open the doors than almost any other team — I believe the figure I saw was $390,000, and I think only Phoenix might be lower.
But also remember that the Islanders have one of the most lucrative TV deals in the NHL, and it runs for a long time, They are not likely to get that kind of deal outside of the NYC area. They also control the Coliseum and make money off non-Isles events — so it’s tough to imagine them as tenants in Brooklyn with no stake in the building.
Wang basically has a free-agent franchise. Nassau will do nothing (except stall — and then wail when the Isles move), so he has 3 years to find a place to play, assuming he really will play on Long Island to the end of his lease.
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My understanding is he will not break the lease. I also was led to believe at some point that the lease arrangement is not at all beneficial to the franchise, it will not be missed.
True about the TV deal. Anyone who thinks he wants to leave the metro area I think is wrong. Its about the building, people have written Brooklyn is too small to be viable, is that true? I do not see another arena getting built and “renovattion” of the colliseum won’t get it done. Sad.
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Jeff says:
I am an Islander fan from Nova Scotia and I don’t want to see the Isles move from the New York area. With that being said, I would like it if Wang would rule out Nassua completely. They have proven time and time again that they will not be the the home of this franchise going forward.
In the event they do move outside New York I would hope the destination would not be Quebec, where all business is conducted in French.
I know over the years Wang has been criticized for his handling of the team but who else would take losses year after year and try to keep the Islanders in New York? To me Wang should be praised for putting up with all the buffoons he has had to deal with in Nassau County, especially Kate Murray! -
csk says:
it is likely going to be very hard to keep the Islanders from becoming Toronto’s second team
perhaps only real chance is for the Brooklyn Nets to be a smash and Prokohorov deciding he should own an NHL team too to help him defeat Putin
good luck to us all
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UIF says:
I think the Isles are moving far away. And though it’s probably an unpopular opinion, I don’t see Wang as some innocent victim here. This team is so devalued because of his decisions as an owner that selling locally is not an option. And interest among the local media and community is so low that it’s impossible to build any momentum to put pressure on anyone to do anything. Outside of this board and others like it, no one will even care if/when they move.
Both the team’s value being in the gutter, and the fans bolting and no one caring anymore are direct results of how this franchise has been owned and managed. Just my opinion, anyway.
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I think the NHL will try to block any move outside NY. Allegedly some Mets players showed up with Jose Reyes last week at an Islanders game. There may be something concrete going on with the Mets but no Islander employee will confirm that at this time.
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Didn’t Jose Vamoose down to Miami?
The Board Of Govenors would never vote on an Islander relocation out of New York State…Never Happen.. Even if Charlie wanted to go North of the Border… It would have to be voted on then passed by the Board..IE = Never Gonna Happen.. We deserve a New building.. And maybe the Shinnecock’s will build us one…-
Ed in Westchester says:
wanna bet on that one? I wouldn’t if I were you.
The team is not the draw it once was. With the Rangers being relevant again, and the Devils as well, the NHL would allow them to move, especially if they could get increased revenues for the league as a whole by moving to a hockey hotbed market (like Quebec City).
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um, you do realize the Wilpon’s have no money right? That’s why Reyes is now a Miami Marlin.
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Bean322 says:
Agree 100%….Wang is no way a victim here, he has run this once proud franchise into the ground
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NoManIsAnIslander says:
Wang a victim? That’s laughable.
Wang is nothing if not shrewd – hey, he pulled off a multi-billion fraud at Computer Associates and got away with it! (go read what securities investigators uncovered about him)
Wang an innocent led to slaughter by corrupt politicians? Really?
Alfonse D’Amato (yeah, him) sat on Wang’s Computer Associates Board years before they hatched their “buy one (Isles) get one free (77 acre hub)” scheme.
Wang ignorant of how development deals get done? Not a chance.
Wang was run out of Oyster Bay after using heavy handed intimidation tactics to force through a deal. Hey, Chuck, you decided to screw with the big boys and got your a** handed to you. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Besides, Kate Murray eventually offered you a 50% scaled down version of Wang World and YOU SAID NO!
Wang’s alleged commitment to LI? That’s like Hitler’s commitment to Europe. As long as he can plunder and rob, the trains will run on time.
Let’s cut to the chase. OK, Chuck? You bought the Team to leverage the development and, given your personal hubris and arrogance, all the other corrupt actors in this sordid drama didn’t want to play any reindeer games with you.
And now you’ll just reset to the default position: screw the Team, screw the fans, screw the legendary legacy, and sell to the highest bidder in Canada.
Chuck, I never expected anything more from the likes of you.
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Exactly
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Yeah…OK. Because it was his intention to buy the team, lose close to $200 million on the team, tick off town and county officials so he would have an excuse to move the team to Canada. Sure…
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No his intention was to buy the team, to get land to develop and make another billion. Billionaires have one thing in common wanting to be multi billionaires.
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Dk,
that is not was Alphonse D’amato said. He asked Wang to buy the team to save it from the Milstein group. Wang is an Oyster Bay guy and was not looking for development rights in Uniondale until he realized that the money could be used to support the Islanders instead of him doing it singlehandly.
If he was only it for the land grab, then why did he support Manganno’s plan with the new arena…he was not getting the development rights in that deal. Why did he offer to pay for a successful vote? Because he believed the plan might save the Islanders.
Wang has done more for this franchise than any previous owner or fake owner (Spano).
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It was not proud when Wang took it over. It was headed for diaster. The Milstein group would have killed this franchise if Wang did not come along.
Wang did not buy a proud franchise….he bought a dying one and has kept it alive since.
And hey, Wang has put more of his own money into the team then the Milstein group did.
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ed says:
the only chance they have of staying in NY is if another billionaire wants to buy the team. One can dream right?
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Can’t wait for the next BJs, Holiday Inn Express and Applebee’s to move in instead of a professional sports franchise. Nassau County, its politicans and voters are just plain stupid.
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Agree completely. If Wang would have made better decisions and not handed his team over to his back up goalie nor let Milbury run this franchise into the ground, Islanders would have gotten a new arena if they were a strong organization and made the playoffs. Why put money towards Wang? What has he done to convince people this will be a winning product?
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the S.O.S. says:
Sorry i didn’t win the powerball…the isles were going to be my first purchase!
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As a commercial real estate broker in Nassau that once this team leaves that site will become useless, we have no need for another mall , apartments , or anything else being presented. Nassau residents will drive by and it will be another sad reminder of years past when the economy wasnt so terrible and there was a sense of pride in their community.
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isles14 says:
great f$%#$%ing monday
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jeff says:
Nassau never mentions that amount of businesses who have left Plainview,Bethpage, Hicksville, Westbury, Port Washington, Syosset, Freeport, and Garden City. Taxes had a major reason why they left. What makes these law makers so sure businesses will come to a developed hub? There are plenty of vacant areas all over the county.
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Ding Ding Ding!!! There are plenty of vacant areas in buildings surrounding “The Hub”.
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The Simtuation says:
NO SLEEP TILL…..BROOKLYN!
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Nick Innella says:
this is so ridculous to read about and hear about, makes me feel so down. we r fans of the islanders right? so why are people saying they want the team to move, this is your team it belongs here on long island or if worst comes to worst New York area. ive been around for the dark days and thats all i know about the islanders, but i still go and still watch and love what they are, they do need a arena but needs to be here or in the area whoever says they need to move out of new york is a moron just stop being a fan we have had enough negativity and BS come our way.
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DMac says:
I wanted the team to stay on the island but I am sick of this farce now. I hope they move but stay in NY, anywhere in NY but Long Island. Long Island does not deserve the loyalty of Charles Wang and the Islanders, wherever the team ends up I support them.
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Brooklyn is not a long term option. Bettman has said that on wfan. Building is too small.
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JC Frank says:
Did he said that before or after Winnipeg?
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frank says:
If they move out of New York I am done with the NHL! i’m not going to follow a team that ill never get to see play live, or on TV without paying throught the nose. there is no reason that nassau, or at least the five boroughs cant find a place for this team. there are more than enough Islanders fans, the reason they dont show up is because they are fed up with being made a joke by the owner. my hats off to him for his commitment to the team, but you hired a back up goalie with no experience as the GM , and althought he has not been terrible, he also has not done anything to make the team better. yeah we have gotten lucku on the waiver wire a couple of times, but picking Tavares was a no brainer. with all the high draft picks we have gotten i dont see any super star players at the bridge. again not terrible but no improvement
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Kaszycki's Krew says:
Mixed emotions. My first wish is for Wang to sell the team. To an owner who would keep it on Long Island. Anything else I would write now is to be filed under “Yadda Yadda”……
However, in that Yadda Yadda column, is that I am convinced Long Island is a great hockey market. It could work here with a new building. A winning team – combined with a renewed and vibrant rivalry vs. the Rag$ and Flyers……and if we had a scaled down version of LHP – then you have something there!
I just don’t trust Wang as the steward of the Isles fortunes. let him bring in a partner who could take the hockey team – and let Wang and the others develop the area….and form an entity (perhaps Islanders, Inc. and sell stock to the fans too!) that all could benefit from – and see what happens.
I just want certainty and closure – no matter what the result is – so I can move on with my life – either with or without NYI.
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Blizz says: Quite frankly the site is a dump. The corruption is mind boggling. Nassau county is a hole. The ABLI members who campaigned against the referendom are now positioning themselves to develop the site with or with out the Islanders. You cant make this stuff up.
Wang is copable too. If the Islanders havent sucked for so long there would be more public outcry. If Wang picks up now and moves the islanders out of the area he will be part of the reason. He does not get a pass.
its all coming to a head now.
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After rescuing the Islanders in 2000, buying out his partner (and now current federal prisoner) Sanjay Kumar a few years later, and since then losing an estimated $250 million (operating losses) plus probably having overpaid for the franchise (plus the TV rights) in the first place, Charles Wang should not be blamed for anything he does. If he were to have the team declare bankruptcy tomorrow, or simply fold it, or whatever, he has done enough.
I also believe Nassau government has been responsible in holding firm, in tough fiscal times, in its negotiations. (This is not an anti-Wang or anti-Islanders position.) Comptroller George Maragos has told me he loves the team, too, but voted against the referendum. We’re talking about public funds here, when there ARE more pressing needs.
If there’s fault, it’s on prior government leaders who spent too much and didn’t appreciate the Coliseum’s obsolescence over the last 15-20 years.
But there are other problems. The team itself has not rebuilt its fan base, which has deteriorated since the mid-1980s; not because they’re not winning Cups, but because the team didn’t do any promotion after going off Channel 9 in 1985 and a major radio superstation, 1050-AM, in about 1994. (And those ratings were not microscopic, btw.) That’s why this team may leave the tri-state.
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Blizz says:
you couldnt be more wrong. The reason why the team hasnt rebuilt its fanbase is because they have been the laughing stock of the league for years. With their dumbass contracts and horrible G.M’s. Look no furthur than Wang.
Wang the savior, if they leave he is the ultimate villain IMO.
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Attendance and ratings were in decline in the 1980s. There were sub-10,000 weeknight crowds the year of the LaFontaine trade. The 20 years of lousy hockey are the reason there are very few Islanders fans under the age of 25. We have the oldest fan base in the NHL. The rot began before Wang, but you are not wrong to point out the contracts and horrible GMs during the Unending Reign of Error.
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Joe says:
This is not about about the GM or contracts. Its about a large piece of real estate that needs to be developed. Wake up!!!!!
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RV says:
If CW has offers from other NY municipalities, why wouldn’t he just make a deal? He has already given the county every opportunity to make something happen and they are still no closer to a solution than ever. They don’t even have a plan. It’s silly to expect him to wait on something that is still purely speculation. As far as I’m concerned, the time has run out for the Nassau county to try and keep the Islanders. Move on already.
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Tom m says:
I wish Charles would just put the shovel in Suffolk! 75% of the fan base is from Suffolk! Suffolk wants the Islanders Nassau does not! Stop wasting time!! By the way the real bargaining chip is WINNING! We win everyone will want us!! That’s all folks!!
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nyi992001 says:
There will be no new Coliseum, there will be no Islanders in Nassau County. There will probably be some office building built on the property, as long as it meets Kate’s requirements. Of course, I don’t know what businesses will still be around to occupy that building.
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As much of a mess the Islanders have been for the past 16 yrs or so, they were OUR mess, Our team. It’s like having dysfunctional children, as difficult as they can be, we can’t help but love them. It will truly be a sad day for history, for sports fans, and for all of L.I. if the Islanders are lost.
As painful as this scenario would be, I have to admit there is a ray of sunshine that bursts through the cloudy skies every time I think of a new arena in Queens, Brooklyn, or Suffolk. I am all too familiar with the corrupt Nassau politicians, and I really feel the Islanders can thrive in a nearby N.Y. market. We will soon find out exactly how much Mr. Wang cares about this team. I am happy he is finally giving serious consideration to other areas. Why isn’t anyone mentioning Belmont? Lot’s of space, people who welcome progress, and. potential for great transportation from anywhere.
Stay somewhere that I can drive to, and I am very happy to say screw you to this procrastinating county! As long as they stay in N.Y., N.J., Ct., area I will always support them!-
TAG says:
Umm Belmont is in Elmont,NY which is in Nassau County and it is also located in the TOH, I think some people on here are under the impression that Belmont is located in Queens, it is not.
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Whatever Tag, The point is that Kate and co, does not have the allegiance to Elmont that she does to Garden City. The people in that area are starving for something viable to be built. Of course, you may be right since the T.O.H. will not get their pockets stuffed there like they do in GC.
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Bottom line, Isles fans, is that Charles Wang will always be a controversial figure for Isles fans as he arguably both rescued the franchise while incrementally devaluing it through foolish operational decisions. It’s too simple to say Charles Wang is bad or Charles Wang is good. Ultimately, though, the Islanders is his team — it belongs to him. Here’s hoping the right thing for him is the right thing for the die hard fans like myself.
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If the Isles do move to Brooklyn and share an arena with the Nets then maybe they’d share the YES Network with them too. Up here in Upstate NY, the Isles get bumped by the Devils, Rangers, Knicks and Sabres all the time and it drives me nuts.
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Steve says:
I believe the TV deal runs for quite a while, and regardless of if it does or not, I don’t see them running away from MSG as long as they’re still in NY (the Devils certainly didn’t).
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Here’s the other thing, without the Islanders there is no reason to have a concert venue/arena on the property. What are they going to put there that would make Long Island better?
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Jack says:
What’s the point in Nassau meeting about anything when TOH has all the power?
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Vato Kakes says:
And for this I take regular bashings, beatdowns call it what you want, on face book from the old neighborhood rag friends.
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4theisles says:
What is the real capacity of the Barclays center in BKLYN? Is it 14500 or up to 16000 with modifications? I do know that the league requires 17500 as a minimum.
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Is that 17,500 for a new building because there are a few buildings, including ours, which is less than that. Isn’t the Jets arena less than that?
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jazz says:
The league has no requirement for seating.
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1) Exactly correct Botta. Wang is akin to a soon to be UFA. As the deadline gets closer he has more leverage. he’s played their game by their rules up till now. Now all bets are off. Come kiss the ring or I’m making my best deal!
2) I can’t b;ame him a bit for doing any of this. His motivations for buying the team were probably to make a killing on the land there,but he paid more than enough dues to get what he’s asked for.
3) That all said I can’t see him leaving the NY area. Too much money on the TV deal, right?? -
CM says:
Wang is still to blame. If his operational decisions were wacky with the Isles, just imagine what else he does at other business meetings. He has a poor track record of management. He is not transparent and he riches make me question. Therefore this debacle is not suprising after 12years. He need to cut his losses and sell.
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Dave says:
There is to much “red tape” in long island as a whole. A lot of developers have there hands dipping into the cookie jar. I have traveled outside of New York several times to other states and people always tell me that it takes for ever to get any thing approved in the state. This coming from x-new yorkers as well.
1.I will tell you this building more office space will not bring in any revenue from all the empty store fronts all over Nassau County2. Building more condo’s and apartment complexes will only make this county more congested then it all ready is
3. When this hub does ever get built with a shovel in the ground the NY Islanders will all ready be gone and an empty lot sitting vacant for another 5-10yrs.
THATS HOW NASSAU WORKS FOLKS because you have to many organized groups and activits against building anything.
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My prediction the Islanders will move to Brooklyn or some where in Canada forget Long Island. Don’t you think folks if the Islanders would stay in Long Island there would be further progress. The deadline is this year 2012 because when 2013 hits it will be to late. Building a new Arena takes at least 2-3 yrs even to update it!
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DanClemens says:
it’s breaking my heart to say this since I live about 8 minutes from the Coli, but I almost hope they move to the City. Brooklyn, Queens, I could care less. Both are annoying to get to but I don’t want to support this County any longer. If the Isles were to leave, not only would I follow them there but you can make damn sure I’ll never step foot in whatever shopping center the end up building in the Hub. That said, I’m still praying for a last minute, 11th hour deal somehow.
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Remember this…The NHL will make sure and try it’s hardest to keep The Islanders in the NEW YORK area. Losing any franchise in NEW YORK would not be good. ONE of the main problems with the Islanders. The team has been so bad in the last 8-10yrs that they are an after thought. Until this team makes it to the playoffs and make some noise. The Franchise will be over looked!
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Doug says:
Why not develop the old Pilgrim State property? It’s close to major roads.
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AJAX says:
There is a non functioning train stop there as well, I believe.
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shove another big piece of cake into your face, kate murray.. almost time to celebrate!!
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Leo says:
Hey QNS and BKLYN are ON LONG ISLAND and I would welcome them in my home county QNS. Suffolk is too far to travel to, other than a weekend game. A move to Suffolk may keep out NYC Ranger fans though!
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WT (PJ FOR LIFE) says:
Doug nailed it!!! Pilgrim State in Suffolk County!!! Suffolk Cty wants them.Its a LONG ISLAND TEAM. People from Nassau will come and you will get more people from Eastern Suffolk to come. I’ve been a fan for over 35 years. If the team moves off Long Island, I’m not rooting for them(INCL-going to Queens or BKLYN).
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RED says:
The last time I checked a map,,, Brooklyn and Queens were part of Long Island. And both are a far better alternative than Quebec or Kansas City…
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If I had $1 for every time I read “Suffolk wants them” I would just buy the d@mn team. Where do people keep hearing this? Has there ever been any sort of plan/proposal?
Please, I hope you are right but I don’t see any indication that Suffolk is an option.
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Bruce1167 says:
Wang does own the Marriott.
I would think that is what is keeping him from wanting to move/sell.
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Nassau County and Kate Murray are delusional if they think that property will be better without the Islanders. It won’t. Second, there actions have made the regional look really hostile to business development.
They’re deluded for thinking a small scale project will be funded privately, it would be a huge money losing investment for any private firm (hence why there were NO PRIVATE OFFERS to Mangano when it came to the Isles after the referendum). The only way a private developer would make a sports-related investment would be something along the Lightouse Project, but they’ve already proven they want a small scale, money losing project, so good luck with that.
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TPJM says:
Wang should’ve looked outside Nassau the day the Lighthouse project died and at least since August 2.
Queens or Brooklyn can handle NYI. It just takes negotiations and Wang contacting them. The time to leave Nassau was a long time ago.
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Al L says:
4theisles! The seating capacity for hockey at Barclays is currently 14500. The NHL requirements are 15000,I believe. Unless reconfigueration of the infrastructure is still possible,14500 is reportedly maximum. The arena was originally designed to primarily house basketball and provides another 3500 seats,raising capacity to 18000.
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lottadraught says:
A move to Barclays Ctr. would only be temporary unless Prokorov bought the team. There is not enough revenue for two owners to share especially because the NHL is a gate driven league. It might be the only option to stay in NY when the lease expires because it will take three years to build a new arena. As a non NY’er, I like the idea to build next to Citi field in Queens.
I really can’t foresee the team leaving NY as the tv contract with MSG is pure gold. I’m going to the Isles @ Jets tomorrow! It was a painful 15 years here in Winnipeg folks. I hope this can get solved soon.
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CORRECTION!!!! I believe the NHL seating requirements are 14000,not 15000!
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The Barclay’s Center will only hold 14,500 for hockey and there are no plans to expand the facility to accommodate the Islanders. A bigger crowd for the games is not the issue, anyway. The one thing that no one has mentioned is Wang’s deal with Cablevision. He has one of the best television deals in the league and moving out of the Cablevision are would void that deal. All in all though, I like the idea of a move to Brooklyn as an alternative to a move out of state…
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I think its time for some “We Want Brooklyn!” chants at the NVMC.
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Lindsey says:
Let’s do it!
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jimbones says:
Of course they are moving. I never for a moment ever believed otherwise. I have been saying from the beginning that they will move to Quebec. Now lets see if I have the correct Locale. We live in the Land of No. I believe we should get Bumper sticker putting down where we live. I am only here because I have a job here otherwise I’d be gone too!
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JP Parise says:
Why would the team leave all that Cable money on the table?
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Because with a new building and a fair lease agreement you can make more $ even with a smaller TV deal. Of course, a new building/lease here would be the best of both worlds..
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jtc1420 says:
I will not support this team if it moves out of the nassau/suffolk counties. I live in eastern suffolk. Going to an isles game is no big deal. Home by 1030-1100. Moving the team to brooklyn or queens turns the trip for me into a pain in the ass! If I have to watch a team play on TV only I may as well pick a more competitive team to watch. I will spend the money I save on tickets, food and gas and get Center Ice.
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Lets be real here . CW is a very smart businessman. He did not become successful being dumb. He knows exactly what he is doing with the coliseum and if/when he is moving. This contract expires in three years and he needs to know as he does. Don’t underestimate this man. As for Nassau Cnty be assured that they are in over their heads and the problems that you see and hear about are much worse.
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I agree with you here. CW is a very good business man. I feel like the inside sources saying he’s looking elsewhere could also be a game by CW. Trying to light a fire under Nassau County’s asses? Hope so! I love this team but I can’t cheer for them if the go to Quebec!
Plus, another mall seems to be a reach. There’s a mall 5 min north on the Meadowbrook PKWY. This wouldn’t make any sense.
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Well Cb there you have it, I always have been very pessimisstic but you were always confident a deal would get done. I think with the players involved on the ABLi, it is beyond personal for all sides. Wang knows they will try and build a bio-chemichal park and work with Hofstra for the land. they already made their mind up. I agree with the majority of the posts, time to go. Listen to offers and make the best decision for the owner but hopefully the fans as well. Queens would be great but no way the Mets can accomodate that with the Madoff issue. I will root for them where ever they go!
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go isles says:
Well I hate to leave you, hate to put you down
But that way you love darling,
oh I’m Brooklyn bound…-
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
Are you aware the shape I’m in?
My hands they shake, my head it spins.
Ahh Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in.
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TimQ says:
What kind of kickbacks will Kate Murray get when Polimeni, Blumenfeld or Burman end up with development rights of the property? Why doesn’t some investigative reporting group spend some time tracking down the stench of corruption in Nassau? I’ll bet there are some real juicy stories there if you could live to tell them.
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The 1st person to say they won’t root for the Islanders in Brooklyn and Queens = the first person to stand on line at Barcalys on opening night. Are you really going to sit here and tell everyone, you’ll root for the Islanders cap mininum team in the crapiest NHL arena, but won’t root for them in a state of the art, brand new arena just a few miles away with easy access by train? Is life really that tough on some of you? Interesting priorities…
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amen brother. we all have a preference to be sure but Nassau, Suffolk, Queens or Crooklyn, its all good…just keep that Island on the sweater, please…
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Bill P says:
Brooklyn as a temporary measure while they build next to Citifield. Doesn’t lose the Cabelvision money
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John says:
Ill be a fan no matter what happens! But please get rid of pandolfo, reasoner,rolston!!!!!!!!!
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Rob says:
We need responsible government. A government that refuses to give in to pressures, cliques and schemes that would leave the tax payer holding the bag and local government drowning in red ink. If Nassau County had no intentions of building a new building they would have told the Islanders don’t wait for 2015 leave now. Therefore the conclusion is a new building get built. We have three years that’s 36 month it takes about 20-24 months for a new facility the only issue that needs to be hammered out is how to pay for it.
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why would any landlord encourage a tenant to break their lease???
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Jisles says:
I heard this news and everyone is blaming Murray or Mangano or Nassau politicians but IMO the blame lays solely with Wang. His stewardship of this franchise has been nothing short of incompetence and mis management. The islanders were the primary asset and he did not take care of it. If Wang managed this correctly and the team was winning the building would have been full every night and these developers and murray would not dare to think to move the team.Can you imagine anyone saying they would develop the Hub “with or without” the islanders in 1983!? we all know the answer to that. Because the islanders have been so miserable for 20 plus years the fanbase became disinterested and eroded. Wang ran this team into the ground and took the pride out of Long Island. As long islanders we were proud of our hockey team and now it has become a bad joke.This is where Wang fumbled the ball. His greatest asset was the fans and the team and he did not perserve that. Oh I hear his defenders.”Wang bought the team when no one else wanted it and he kept them here.” or “Wang loses 20mil a year he has tried twice to get an arena deal done’” These are true statements but still doesnt give you the right to mis manage the franchise. Wrong is Wrong no matter how much money he put into it, and btw his mismanagement and incompetence is the reason he couldn’t get a deal done because with a sad sack team and no fanbase he had no leverage with the town and county and left the door wide open for these guys to come in. Wang wants this to be convenient for him so that he can get out fast. Lay the blame on somebody else. Well not with me Mr. Wang. This falls squarely on your shoulders and you have no one else to blame but your self.
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While you make fair points, the reality is A) the team was being run into the ground well before Wang came in, and B) that Wang has made an enormous effort to get an arena built.
Second, the issues with Wang “mismanaging” the team are way too overblown. The DiPietro contract notwithstanding, Wang’s money got the team out of the disaster it was in in late 90s and led to it being a consistent playoff team until 07-08, at which point it became clear the Islanders needed a rebuild. It was either blow apart the roster and spend some years rebuilding, or get used to the team being a playoff team with no hope of reaching the Stanley Cup Finals. Granted, the rebuild is at the point where it should now be translating into on-ice success, but to say Wang is the main party to blame ignores the years that preceded him. His only fault is sticking with Milbury for so long.
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Blizzard says:
you can add the run a hockey team by committee fiasco, and hiring Garf to that kthanx.
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So true. The team was in trouble way before Wang bought it.
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100% CONCUR.
Wang alienated everyone who has hockey knowledge. Hires yes men. Hence keeping Milbury for too long, hiring Snow, allowing Jankowski, Lafaontanie, Trottier and Botta to go. Not hring a real coach. Not mention College radio, China pre-season, small market media comments, cap circumvention. Need I Go on???
These things do no cost much money. If you cannot run a front office then get the hell out Wang.-
Meant to concur with Jisles says:
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I’m confused. So it was Wang’s fault when he went down the established RFP route and had his Lighthouse proposal approved … only to have the local politicians pull the rug out from under him?
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jimg says:
amen jisles
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Without Wang the team would have been gone a long time ago!! Blaming him makes no sense.
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I feel in life there isn’t a ton of black and white, but various shades of gray all over the place. And the gray gets even more muddled when you are talking about billionaire businessman who are used to getting their way. Most billionaires make money and then want more money. So while it is a possibility that he bought the team to save, I find it a little inconceivable as he never even saw a game in his life. I feel it is more probable that his long time friend Al DAmato encouraged him to buy the team and the land would come behind it (note the relationship is severed now). I think billionaires want to become multi billionaires and this is simply what he was trying to do here rather than saving the team. I may be right I may be wrong, but having the 180 degree opposite opinion is a 50-50 prop as well and really no one knows for sure what true intent was.
What we do know is he never insulated himself with good hockey hockey men and he devalued the on ice product. Back in 2002 the team was on the upswing and sellouts were commonplace. That squad was broken up when Wang allowed one of his pets Yashin to fire Laviolette. Let the dysfunction begin. Putting out half a lineup every night that shouldn’t be in the NHL is not helping his cause. Nor is his checkered past, look up some of the ca articles. We all now the town and county officials are corrupt, but he is far from a saint too. These are all mitigating facts I believe. And to be perfectly blunt if this team were to go to KC, Quebec, Seattle, I would have preferred it happen 10 yrs ago as opposed to 2015. It would have saved me $20k in tickets in that time and too much frustration to note.
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Speaking of real hockey men, the Blues are 29-7-7′ under Hitchcock after a 6-7-0 start. We could have signed him during the Nov swoon which is a yearly tradition. But they will never hire a big coach who would demand money and a say. A say doesn’t happen in this fiefdom. Again deteriorating the on ice product, losing political clout and driving away the casual fan or the die hard that just can’t take it anymore,
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Blizzard says:
….if he moves the team away from the area he is the prime villain. Destroyed it first and tortured the diehards with his dumbass G.M’s
and contracts.If he moves them now I would have rather spared myself the suffering and been past it by now.
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And “losing20M” to a billionaire is a necessary tax write off
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D in Big D says:
To answer all the above questions & complaints it all starts w/ OWNERSHIP!Plain & simple!All Wang has to do is bring in good solid hockey personnel w/ experience.He doesn’t have to overspend like he allowed to happen on DP,Rolston,Guerin,Weight,Yashin,Pandawful,Eaton,Mottau,Jurcina,KO,Grabner etc…He doesn’t even have to go over cap floor.All he has to do is bring in a REAL GM & get the hell out of the way.Is this too much to ask!!This guy is friggn loaded.I don’t care if he doesn’t meet financial goals set by him & turns that into a loss.Boo Hoo!!Sell the team already Wang & should they leave I can give 2 s**ts what becomes of them.I will be done w/ NHL(not a threat but fact).My opinion on the whole arena issue is they either come to an agreement in Nassau or they move to Quebec.Its that simple.Unless of course Devs move 1st.Can you imagine the NY metro area w/ 1 hockey team that is hated by over half its population(not saying they’re all Isles fans either).Devs or Isles will move but not both!Just sell Wang I have no faith in you owning a professional sports team.Bettman probably doesn’t either thats why they’re floating the Devs payroll.He wants Isles going to Quebec(as Wang alienates remaining fanbase) & percentage of remaining fans routing for Rags or Devs.Hence JT signing for 6 yrs.If there was ever a time for me to eat my words the time would be now!Hey LIers your taxes are going to go up anyway.WAKE UP!!You live in the most corrupt state!!Go Isles….for what its worth.
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Tom D. from New Jersey says:
If a new arena means we will hire a professional hockey management team, an NHL caliber coach, broadcast on a legitimate radio station,develop a marketing plan that thinks big market, rather than small market,
a philosophy where being competitive each season really matters, treats the fan base with respect rather than alienate them,assurances the building will sell out with double the priced tickets and that corporate sponsors will flood the suites, then I guess a new arena will change everything. I wonder how we won 4 Cups in that same buidling, once know as Fort Neverloose-
Who needs 4 Cups when we get to watch the Tim Wallace fantasy camp every night. And 5 guys from the Isles alumni team dressing in real meaningful games … You know Staios, Pandolfo, Eaton, rOLDston …
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Joey let me put it to you this way. If a local store owner asked you to invest in his business so that he can build a bigger store and you did your research and found that the owner has no customer base, is mismanaging the store with poor managers and staff and losing money and you ask around and find out his reputation is shady would you put up the money? No you would not. However, if you see the store thriving with a customer base and fine products and the owner has a good reputation in the business community you would not hesitate. I am sorry to tell you Wang is the problem and always has been. He has put a poor product on the ice, eroded the fanbase, mis managed the operation and has a shady reputation. Doesnt sound like a winner to me. Republican Democrat doesnt matter no one was giving wang anything.
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jisles must be an employee of Murray’s…Even if the isles were competitive, the crooked politicians would not care, they want what is best for them, not the isles or a better LI. such a joke! Sure Blame Wang for having TOH and murray for dragging their feet for 7-10 yrs. Environmental impact studies, milking Wang for every penny, give me a break. Nassau is the most heavily taxxed place in america and the wonderful leadership, Jacobs, Murray, Damato have bankrupted the county. How can you explain it? But they all seem to get reelected.
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Tom says:
If Rags fan will take the LIRR to Penn why wouldnt Isles fans take the LIRR to Flatbush..If you told me I can get on the train and have a few beers from wherever in Nassau or Suffolk and not worry about driving and gas/parking at Nassau its a no brainer. No Franchise relocation fees and they still are on the “ISLAND” if you look at the map! State of the art arena lockerroom is what Wang wants then go to Bklyn. Actually let the Russian buy a share of the team too. Im sure players will want to play once again for this storied franchise in a new barn. Hell,Wang gave me free parking one year why wouldnt he work out a deal for LIRR reimbursements for Full Season holders even if its a food credit for that game…Charlie call me I want to market your team to Brooklyn and make a run for the Cup and parade it down Broadway with ticker tape not down the Turnpike!
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Joey from staten island says:
I hope Brooklyn but 14.500 seats for a hockey team in Brooklyn is a joke we aren’t Winnipeg
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Tedge77 says:
All politicians BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!
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EXACTLY!!!!
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You Sir are 100% Correct!!!!!!
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Mike from Philly says:
At this point, get the ball rolling in Brooklyn or Queens. Enough of Nassau County, let them have their land which they will use to absolutly no good use.
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If this weren’t about the land and was about the team, he would have been seen wearing a hard hat in willets point or pilgrim state e day after Kate murray said no
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joe says:
I think an arena near citi field would be the best fit but has there been any news of it?
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Jim says:
Lets face the facts here. Like many have said on this blog, the Islanders have been so bad for so long that few really care whether they leave Nassau or not. Does anyone think the Islanders of the 80′s would have had a new arean referendum voted down? I doubt it very much.
And if this team does leave Nassau it’s not going to Queens or Suffolk becuase no one is building a new arena, in this economy, for this hapless team. Certainly not the Wilpons who can barely take care of their ball team.
Brooklyn is certainly a possibility however, that place only holds 14,500 and how will Wang make more money there when he will only be a tenant much like he is now?
If this team moves it will be out of NY all together. The one bright spot here is that if that happens Wang will probably sell the team.
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The Pork Chop Express says:
The only way things get done when politicians, land developers and unions are involved are thru kickbacks. They all want a big piece and don’t deserve anything. This is why Nassau has falling apart!! Keep it up schmucks.
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Jim Clark says: Hopefully the CBLI will remember what the voters said last August when they turned down Wang’s offer toraise. Their taxes by $50 a year to support him and hismillionaire players. They also turned down Wang Megalopolis of having skyscrapers cast shadows over three counties by re electing Kate Murray. Were they wiseto do so? May be not. But in this country, the people rule. If Wang can find some other community that genuinely wants tomake him even richer, so be it. But it is way past time for public funding of sports palaces for plutocrats.
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hoser14 says:
Don’t worry, unless Chairman Wang greases the palms of Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead officials, the Isles are good as gone. The only way they stay at the Nassau Mausoleum come fall of 2015 “if” the county sells Wang the dump and tell Kate Murray to go blank herself.
Since that’s not going to happen, it’s Brooklyn by default, because Queens and Suffolk County haven’t done anything exempt talk, no environmental impact studies, no public hearings, no lawsuits settled, no financing, no nothing, thus no arena.
It’s either Brooklyn or Bust!
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when the former buffalo sabres owner sold the team, it was to someone who wanted to keep the team in buffalo. he could have got much more money to owners who wanted to move the team to canada but refused. he had class. lowlife wang has no class. thats why he will sell the team to the highest bidder who will move the team to canada. he is classless,clueless,cheap, arragant, desfunctional and delusional. the legacy of the franchise never meant anything to him. he treats us fans like garbage. he only cares about one thing. stuffing his pockets while laughing in our faces. the ugly and hideous disrespectful 3rd. jersey clown suit tells us exactly what he thinks of us and what the legacy of the franchise means to him. wang only thinks of stuffing his pockets while spitting in our faces at any cost. very sad but very true.
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the former owners of the sabres sold the team because he went to jail.
real classy guy there.-
Most of Wang’s direct reports at CA went to jail too. Do the math.
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Danfromouteast says: I wish they’d move to Suffolk screw Nassau. A whole new beginning. Dare I say to change the colors which represent Nassau anyway to dark and light blue (just an idea so as to signify that the end of Nassau and kate Murray is here and a fresh new start in Suffolk is here. The port jeff ferry to Bridgeport is in Suffolk. There’s lots of land. Do it wang. For once in your life do right by the isles.
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rharnick says:
The Wang is losing 20 Million has been taken as the God’s honest truth. Is it? Who knows. Is that including the interest on the loan to buy the team? Because its not really fair to include that in the number since he increases his equity with every payment. Will the Isles move from New York and the 20 million people within 50 miles to go to Quebec where there are maybe 1 million people with 50 miles, I would think not. As much as Wang has put in has he truly promoted the team, has he taken risks to try to get the team to the top since Yashin left, no. Yes Nassau has not been accommodating but I think Wang gets better press than he deserves.
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RICH L says:
Reading some of you Wang supporters posts, I don’t believe I have ever read any posts by anyone who is anti Wang, accusing him of being stupid oh, no the man is not stupid but I have read, and heard him being called many other names like arrogant,cheap,pigheaded,scheming,conniving,
theiving,s..mb.g,shrewd, moronic,con artist,but no, i’ve never read anyone calling him stupid. -
Thought about this more and talking to my dad he brought up a very good point. The team is staying right where they are. think about it.
1. These new developers will get their deal passed without a new arena. Wang is now forced to sell. He cant move them because NHL does not want to lose a NY team. He will have to sell to someone else. Once Wang puts the team up for sale, the new developers will go back to the plan and add the arena and a new owner comes in with an arena waitng to be built. This helps both parties. Wang saves face and gets out and the islanders stay. This is all being done behind the scenes. Wang lost, they won time to move on. Like I said in earlier post Wang has no one else to blame but himself. He put a poor product on the ice and expected the politicians to stick their necks out for him. Arrogance at its worst.
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jeff wall says:
Wang has the right to veto any proposed project on coliseum land till 2015. Is it possible that he gives the go ahead for a project that doesnt include a new arena in exchange for the rights to build in belmont? Everyone wins…Wangg gets his arena and ABLI gets to build a bio- building for hofstra or strip mall…
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Also Wang and the NHL MUST prove that there is NO local buyer who will keep the team in the islanders catchment area (Long Island-including BK and Queens)before he can move the team to another city or sell to someone who will move the team out of the area. Jisles senerio is possible…..also the russian or the wilpons may pony up…who knows.
Quebec and Ontario are building new arenas and will get their team in due time, but it doesnt mean teams need to fold. The new conference system leaves room for 2 expansion teams.
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JT-27 says:
1) CW did NOT ruin the franchise. They were at their most horrific when he bought them in 2000.
2) CW did NOT resurrect the team. He tried different schemes with a slew of different coaches and two poor GMs but nothing has gotten the Islanders out of the first round.
(They haven’t been out of the first round since 1993 so the franchise has been a mess before and after Wang.)
———3) The Coliseum was never a great arena. Even its contemporaries like the old Spectrum in Philly or the JLA in Detroit were bigger, more appealing and more centrally located.
4) Armand D’Amato (SMG board member and Al’s brother) has made a killing while mismanaging the Coliseum since the late 1970s.
(The Coliseum was cleaner before SMG, but they turned it into even more of a barn. It’s been absolutely obsolete since the era of super arenas began in the early 1990s)
———5) The Lighthouse Project was far too big for Nassau’s breaking infrastructure to handle.
6) Kate Murray, Al D’Amato’s old friends at both SMG and TOH would never let it pass regardless of its size.
(In the corrupt world of Nassau politics, no development happens without extensive kickbacks.)
——–So we have a miserable franchise, owned by a miserable owner in a miserable building, surrounded by miserable politicians.
The only upside (aside from some good young talent) is the cache of being in the NY market and of course the MSG cable contract. Is that enough to keep the Isles in NY? Not really. Not if CW sells to Quebecor.
Quebecor is the media conglomerate interested in the Isles. They already own the naming rights to the future arena in Quebec City, newspapers in Canada and the USA, publishing companies and even their own regional sports network. Losing out on the MSG contract would mean little to them. It would probably help MSG too since they spend so much on a product that no one watches. Quebecor also carries enough political clout, former Canadian Prime Minster Brian Mulroney is on their board, to influence the NHL if need be.
But will CW sell to Quebecor? If he wants to fully recoup his hundreds of millions in losses over the past 12 years he should move fast. Jeff Vanderbeek is already taking offers for the Devils.
If CW doesn’t sell his options are limited. Nassau is a mess, Queens hasn’t even begun the years of eminent domain cases and cleanup necessary at Willets Point before anything gets built and KC isn’t exactly clamoring for the Isles. Besides at this stage in his life would CW want to move to KC or other destinations like Seattle?
Hartford makes more sense, but MSG already owns the local AHL affiliate, Connecticut Whale. More importantly the city owns the arena so even with current upgrades, CW would just be jumping from one 40 year old municipal building to another.
That leaves Brooklyn.
The arena there will only offer 14,500 seats. Sounds small but the Isles have only drawn more than that twice since 1989. They haven’t drawn 15,000 since 1986 so in this case size doesn’t matter.
Moving to Brooklyn also means maintaing their MSG contract, most of their current fan base and adding some new fans as well. Moving to Brooklyn would also add some long needed buzz to the franchise. Something the club has been desperate for since 1993. We’ll see exactly just what the Brooklyn moniker can do to a team when the Nets move there in nine months.
The only problem is again a lack of arena control. CW might not be able to get that but with Prokhorov showing less and less interest in NBA, maybe CW can swoop in and make a move. If not for the basketball team, at least for the long delayed development which is supposed to surround the arena.
The corrupt politicians of Nassau will never get their act straight. The current arena will always be a dump. Chances are CW will always make enough dumb moves to keep the Isles from ever getting past the first round. But with the amount of potential buyers and sellers out there, I see CW waiting for the first chip to fall before making his move.
Right now Brooklyn seems like the best option but we won’t know for sure until we see what happens with Quebecor, the Devils and Prokhorov.
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For 3am that was amazingly well stated. Best of all everything was spelled correctly thats pretty good for the posts usually on this site. I agree with everything you said. How much money do you have?
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Thanks for the nice words! I’m guessing I have less $$$ than most. But I do read enough sports business news, local politics and history (the machine goes back to Joe Margiotta’s ouster of Ralph Caso) to have an idea of what’s going on.
One thing I forgot to highlight was CW’s immense patience. For all of his faults, he has always proven himself patient enough to see where all the chips fall before making any moves.
If Prokhorov is out of the picture by 2015 (he might be) and if Bruce Ratner needs another cash infusion to build around the arena (he does) CW might find himself in the best of all positions. We’ll see.
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Ray Kaats says:
I’m a registered Republican. However, I voted for Suozzi twice and never vote for Republicans on the TOH Board.
All along I feared Joe Mondello stepping in and getting his cronies the property for another mall. A mall still could happen. Jay Jacobs has proven to be just another party boss like Mondello. He wants his cronies to get the HUB and let the Isles go.
Charles Wang is horrible owner, an egomaniac, micromanager who just makes things worse with his my way or th highway stuff. That said, he has been treated terribly by the TOH and politicians from both parties.
I too believe Nassau does not deserve the Islanders and have reached the point where I want them to move but stay in the met area.
I’ve been a season ticket holder since 1972. There are about 80 of us left. As much as I love the Islanders, I no longer care what they do. If the leave they leave. I can’t believe I feel this way but this has been going on just too long. I just can’t care anymore.
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Everyone should contact or email the governor of new York or there representatives to get this deal done now before it is to late. The governor is suppose to visit long island in a few weeks let your voices be heard!
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Josh the Islander Fan says:
I think Wang is done with Nassau. He spends all that time and money into the Lighthouse project and they just spit in his face. I don’t blame him.
The preseason game at Brooklyn isn’t a bluff. Wang is probably considering moving there even if it’s temporarily. Either way, if he builds an arena. It won’t be in Nassau.
Nassau, either shape up they’ll be left with a dead weight arena with a ocean parking lot.
Did I mention I really hate New York politics? It never gets anything done.
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Mad Mike says:
I am from Nova Scotia and I’ve been a die hard Islanders fan for over 30 years. I’ve stood by them through some lean and embarrassing years. There aren’t a lot of Islanders fans around in this part of the world. I took my share of ridicule but stuck with the team. That’s why I think the next six months will be a crucial point in the history of this franchise (this years’ trade deadline, Draft Day, free agency July 1st). This team is positioned to be a pretty good team but Garth Snow has to make some moves to bolster this line-up with proven NHL commodities. Not over-the-hill has been or never-weres. There’s a vicious cycle that continues on Long Island: fans don’t show up and free agents won’t go there. Both of these things can be eliminated by putting a winning product on the ice. If management shows a committment to winning by adding some key pieces, maybe key free agents will want to sign there when they see the direction the organization is taking. You can use the line from “Field of Dreams”: Build it and they will come. A winning team will lure fans but it will also lure free agents. Snow says that free agents won’t come because of the arena. That’s largely a pile of crap. There’s not one player in the NHL that wouldn’t go to the Island if he was guarenteed a shot at the Stanley Cup. John Tavares is a pretty good player. He chose to stay there. Others have before him. To say it’s because of the Coliseum is a cop out. Players won’t go there because of the circus-like management group and the complete disregard for winning. Winning cures everything in professional sports. Snow has to make some key additions to this line-up and he has some good assets available to trade. Charles Wang has to keep his nose out of the hockey operations department.
I would give anything to have the draft days of 2000 and 2001 back. What would the Isles look like with Luongo, Chara, Spezza, Heatley (or Gaborik, take your pick), and even Jokinen. It’s been said that the Isles could have had DiPietro with the fifth pick that year since no other GM had him ranked that high. This team would be stacked. The demise of this franchise is directly attributed to Mike Milbury. He ran this franchise into the ground because he was too impatient and because he got Man Crushes on the likes of Alexei Yashin and Oleg Kvasha. And because he liked to be the center of attention on big days like the draft. It still draws my ire when I see that man on national television programs on both sides of the border espousing his “wisdom”. How can a man that ruined a franchise be considered an expert unless someone wanted advise on how to ruin a professional hockey franchise??? All of that is water under the bridge at this point though. Woulda, coulda, shoulda!!!
I don’t really care if the team moves or not. I’d prefer to see them stick in the New York area though. I’ll still be a fan. I’ve stuck with them this long. This next few months will go a long way in determining the future of this franchise though. There’s a good core of young players and a group crop of prospects on the cusp. There’s no reason to believe this is a playoff team this year, so another high draft pick is on the horizon as well…another tradeable asset!!! We’ll see if this management group is committed to winning or if they are content to wallow in mediocrity. Let’s hope it’s winning. Like I said earlier, winning cures everything.
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JT-27 you touched all the bases.
especially the point that as a tenant in brooklyn wang wouldn’t have the control to make the most of the situation, which imo is a pretty big drawback.
i’d make two other observations:
-bad as the nvmc building is, it has great sight-lines to watch a hockey game. it’s much better than msg, for example.
-moving to brooklyn might add some buzz. but brooklyn wouldn’t last forever. therefore it might turn the islanders into the sort of wandering franchise the nets have been, fifteen years here, fifteen there. that can’t be good. -
eric says:
Amazing that the Isles still think they can win with this team. Why change what made them so successful at the end of last year??? A true 4th line opens up the ice for everyone else. GIllies Haley at least oh sorry u’d rather have Wallce and Pandolfo (yea he still in the league) GTFO OF HERE!!!
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Ray Kaats, a post like yours from an original sth says more than all the pols and pundits with their mouthfuls of analysis.
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JT – 27 nailed some great points, Wang rescued this team after the milstein gluckstern crap. He was buying a team that was already run like a joke, and one reason is that terrible smg lease signed in 85. Wang has lost supposedly 200 million on the isles, now guys if it was you losing a pile of money a year a the toh tells you what you can build with your own money what would you do. I am not saying what Wang does is right or I like his decisions but how much money can you lose year after year. All I can say is I hope there is light for all islanders fans at the end of this crap. Belmont is still nassau also so see what happend in the next few months.
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Phil L says:
I agree with the above posters, this has gone on way too long. I love the Isles and grow up watching this team when it was good, and even kept coming back through the many lean years (thanks to cheap tix) while I was in college.
All of which has been discussed here, I’d say the money is on Quebec in 2015, though Brooklyn has a shot. Suffolk isn’t viable (and I live here) and Queen’s couldn’t happen in time. Either way, I just want some final decision. If they move, it will be horrible for the us fans left, but please just let us move on. This is like watching a loved one die a slow, long death. Wang, just pull the plug and annouce the move already.
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spock says:
Let me get this straight.. you are all concerned about keeping a hockey team, lowedt attendence in the league here at whatever cost, yet your idiot county executive is busy trying to close police precincts, cops are escorting pizza pies to the super bowl… Nassau/Suffolk is quickly becoming an economic irresponsible cesspool…and before u criticize im an islander fan back to 1979…im just realizing it may be time to move on..this team will never achieve what it did in the early 80s..and with a loser like wang, trust me..this franchise is done on long island
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Quebec City it is, stay in the eastern conference for balance, give yet another second chance to a lost City and then sell 10 game ticket plans to the 6000 or so who will travel south to get familiar with the team over the next three seasons. Sad ending for franchise with 40 years of history and four Cups, thanks Kate.
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Isles Fanatic says:
Quebec City is ready for a team, they have plans for a new building confirmed, and public money financed… Two television networks clamoring for a chance at exclusive rights, one network owned by the man who is interested in buying a team and bringing it to Quebec City (media bilionnaire) has quietly hired hockey people with the starting date of next September… They are getting a team, next Fall, probaly not the Isles due to the Lease….but they will easilly support a team… Winnipeg with a smaller market, less tv revenue than what Quebec would bring and a smaller corporate base is now 7th in the NHL in revenue….and they have a small rink…
So if the ISlanders are not a go…for Quebec…they will have Pheonix or whomever…
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Wang Must Sell says:
Who cares about Charles Wang and his Bluffs !!
Some fans keep praising Wang and Snow for basically keeping this team at the bottom of the NHL for years and not making the playoffs.
Your all a bunch of cheerleaders waving your pom poms for WHAT!!
You have not had enough abuse already.
Sell and Move the Team Charles “The con artist” Wang and stop threating already “Make Your Move and Take all the NO Nothing Islander Fans with you !!! They just love the pain that you give.
GO! GO! GO! WANG you do nothing but Produce a Loser since you bought the team. And Take all the Loser’s with you.
Because your non competitive team that sits near the bottom of the NHL, year in year out will BE THE SAME ANYWHERE YOU TAKE THEM, New building or not.
And in years to come when the NHL and some billionaire Starts a New team on Long Island your Pathetic hockey club will probably be in the same posistion with out being in the playoffs.
Does Winnipeg ring a bell to anybody after leaving Winnipeg going to Atlanta and Now back at Winnipeg !!
GO CHARLES WANG AND TAKE SNOW WITH YOU !!!-
Chill. This will always be my team. Regardless where they are our how they do
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Under Wang its not my team! And i have been a fan since 1978-79. I see where your coming from, but Charles Wang has killed the History of this proud organization.
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nscanada says:
Winnipeg went to Phoenix not Atlanta.
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Right, my mistake however you do see my point!
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I’m thinking we should get a f*** Kate Murray chant going next game. Let that b*tch know she isn’t getting any more votes
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After players read these posts, how much you wanna bet the Isles go on another major losing streak? 5-6 in a row?? Rememeber these are 20years olds and are usually quite vunerable to stuff like this.
Such depressing stuff. They are playing for the joy of hockey win or lose. They are not playing for the crest that’s for sure. Hence, lack of passion most nights.-
CM, you really think the players read this site?
I think what would depress me more as a player on the team is the failed Lighthouse Project. The uncertainity of 2015. Not having a real coach in years. The fact we are circumventing the cap FLOOR with buyouts and Rolston. That our GM is a backup goalie that never had an apprenticeship and it shows. We haven’t tried to improve the team. There is no toughness on the roster. When they are dressing for a game and they see Tim Wallace will be with them along with the 5 gray beards that have no business still being in the league. Those are the facts that should stress them, not the 50 people on this site that need somewhere to vent. And all the fans “depressing” quotes go away if the owner/gm actually try to improve the on ice product via free agency or trade … or at the very least promote guys from B-Port that deserve a regular NHL shift like Hayley. If “depressing” fan comments hurt them it is too bad the owner/gm can’t fire the fans the way they did with CB and Jaffe … they can only drive them away in droves.
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Amen, somebody see’s the light.
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It’s like plumbing, SH** travels down hill. Look to the owner’s box and his puppet next to him and there is 90% of the problem.
Put real players on the team and the fans show. See the Laviolette era. The Leafs 7 game war was a good a playoff series as we have had outside of the dynasty. The building was sold out and raucous. No reason it couldn’t be that way again and it would make things more viable. And to stress I am NOT taking blame off of the politicians, because they suck. But if there was seemingly more than 50 people that cared, it would getting something done easier. I have been a fan since 72 so I need the highs of Parise beating the Rags, the 4 Cups, etc and the lows of Gluckstern, Spano, etc. And for the first time it actually takes effort to work up the energy to watch these games. Just seeing Wallace, Pandolfo, Rolston, Staios, Reasoner, etc sickens me. Especially when guys like Hayley do whatever is needed to help and produce in BPort and don’t get the call. It is an effing disgrace. All because the mgmt team/ownership (1 in the same) doesn’t condone fighting. And when someone takes JT’s head off with an elbow let’s see what their answer will be.
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This is a soap opera! I would like to see the Isles move in 2015 just to prove to Nassau how important they were. And I’d like to say that I’d still root for them but I know deep down inside it would depend on where they went. I grew up rooting for the New York Islanders…it would be hard to see the name changed.
I just hope it isn’t like when the Nordiques moved…was it a cup the following year?? -
No wonder why Rickey is taking French Lessons now ! Capuano cannot speak French and we know how important that is in Quebec !
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mark p says:
Tavares alone will fetch Wang an extra 50M if NHL approves another Ontario team.
Really Hope Suffolk can stepup and offer a spot somewhere around 110. -
Joe Pro says:
“Task force unveils $346.5M Coliseum plan” – article ran in Newsday on Sept 21, 2011- found at: http://mobile.newsday.com/inf/infomo;JSESSIONID=9F6288C3C6D1B81A9B01.3221?site=newsday&view=top_stories_item&feed:a=newsday_1min&feed:c=topstories&feed:i=1.3189037&nopaging=1
This plan was presented by ABLI – the very same group presenting a plan today.
What happened with their original plan? Why hasn’t ABLI been able to put forth a similar or modified plan? And why haven’t we seen anyone from the media making it a point to ask this pertinent, specific question?The 9/21/11 plan stated the following:
“Architects, engineers, government officials and labor leaders Wednesday unveiled a $346.5 million proposal to renovate the Nassau Coliseum and turn the surrounding 77 acres into a sports-entertainment complex.”“Under the plan, developed by a task force of the Association for a Better Long Island , a private developer would spend $100 million to renovate and expand the existing Coliseum. The height of the arena would increase by as much as 25 feet, and there would be between 17,000 and 20,000 seats — compared with just over 16,000 now.”
“The site would include a minor league ballpark, a parking garage with room for 6,800 cars that would join the Coliseum and the Long Island Marriott, a new indoor ice rink for practice and public use, and 70,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. West Hempstead architect Angelo Francis Corva, who designed the plan, left about 25 acres on two parcels undeveloped for a future phase.”
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NYI says:
CM, We do not get discouraged reading this site. Infact it is quite the opposite. We see the passion that the fans have for the franschise and the players. Also as for the love of the game, we have it BUT, we do not take losing well. I beleive that we are all here because winning is what we expect every night. And, no matter what bad comment is written about any of us, trust me we are a lot harder on our selves then you can ever be…LOL
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Glad I touched a nerve. Then show it.
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Hey Mad Mike, I agree with your post, but take exception of your claim of them being “content to wallow in mediocrity” the last several years “mediocrity” would have been an inspiring season, and probably accepted by many, if fact they have totally sucked in those years, same as this one, and most of us know why that is, as you stated in your post.
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I have to say, I will probably go to a few more games, but will NOT spend money in Nassau before the game, going out to eat etc. My little “FU”. Nassau are run by a bunch of thieves likr drunken Petey Schmitt as is Hempstead under Fatty Murray. Embarrasing.
This has become a soap opera. Let me know what happens in 2015. Wang wants the best deal & he will not rule anything out. This increases his ability to get the best deal. He would listen to anything at this point. Nassau should be embarassed.