‘WITH OR WITHOUT THE ISLANDERS’
Anti-Islander Group is Front Runner for Coliseum Development
The ball is now in Charles Wang’s court as to whether or not he wants play nice with those who have previously stood in his way. A Newsday report today details the plans of a group of four men, all of whom are a part of the Association for a Better Long Island, the group that funded the campaign against the Coliseum Referendum in the Summer of 2011. They also proposed a rejected project for the original Lighthouse development in 2005. The four men are Vincent Polimeni, Jan Burman, Ed Blumenfield and Mark Hamer.
The fate of the Islanders now rests in the hands of Long Island’s five biggest developers and how well they can cooperate. At this point, it certainly seems that any cooperation in a long shot.
Newsday reports that the group of four met with County Executive Ed Mangano last week to discuss their plans for development. Magano and Nassau County have yet to put out a request for proposal for the site, but the County Executive said he will announce his plans later this month. This group almost certainly has the inside track when a request for proposal goes out. Islanders owner Charles Wang does hold the right of first refusal on development at the site, which will expire along with the team’s lease in 2015.
Here’s the damning quote:
“The Hub with the Islanders and with the Coliseum is a needed thing on Long Island,” Blumenfeld said. “The Hub without the Islanders can be an economic engine also.”
The quartet’s effort is not contingent on the Islanders remaining in Nassau, Polimeni said.
The group does not have a plan yet — again, the County has yet to even put out a RFP — but it’s not hard to connect the dots on this one, with Newsday spoon-feeding us most of the dot connecting. A group that has opposed the Islanders from Day One of the Lighthouse Project is now meeting with the County Executive about developing the site, spewing quotes that they don’t necessarily have the Islanders as a part of that plan.
The three ring circus that is Nassau County plays another show and somewhere Barclays Center CEO Bruce Ratner is smiling.
About Kevin Schultz
Kevin was formerly an NHL blogger for the now defunct AOL Fanhouse and was the creator of the hockey comedy blog Barry Melrose Rocks. He now covers the Isles for Islanders Point Blank. You can follow him for instant updates on the team and talk hockey with him on Twitter @schultz88. View all posts by Kevin Schultz →117 Responses to ‘WITH OR WITHOUT THE ISLANDERS’
Anti-Islander Group is Front Runner for Coliseum Development
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#33 says:
well said.
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Isles316 says:
You can bet these guys are in tight with Kate Murray and the republicans. It was my opinion that the wrong people had money to gain by keeping the lighthouse and Charles Wang out of the develop of that land.
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Bababoey to ya'll says:
I think that’s a fact and not an opinion…Long Island’s majority looses for the benefit of the wealthy few…Long Island is losing all its luster for living…
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fmcisles says:
Isles316 you are 100% correct. SBLI was totally against Wang developing anything, just so they could get involved. Screw Nassau!!
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Dk says:
Kate Murray’s pockets are about to be lined by someone!
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TAG says:
Wrong they were “in tight” with Jay Jacobs and the Democrats on that Aug 1 vote.
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since72 says:
and Corrupt Kate stopped the Lighthouse.
The Dems were all for that.
If she had not stood in the way of the Lighthouse, we would have been well on the way to a new Coliseum by now.
Funny, When Wang wanted to meet with the TOH Board to negotiate a scaled down Lighthouse, she refused, claiming conflict of interest, even though Wang had development rights. Now, she is willing to meet with these clowns from the SBLI and they have not even won the new bid?
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Steven says:
Good on to Brooklyn then.
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Pritchett54 says:
Without the isles, this site is 77 acres in Uniondale. What are they going to do with it? Another mall? more office buildings? More housing? Without the arena it is just an asphalt wasteland.
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Dan C. says:
Exactly. Roosevelt Field is a mile and a half away. The Source Mall is now out of business and empty and it is 3 miles away. Whatever ‘development’ in Uniondale needs some sort of anchor and not some other BS mall that is needed by no one.
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Eric K says:
would much rather just have them play in brooklyn.
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Chris says:
Move to brooklyn please, and have the owner of the nets buy the isles.
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Nick M says:
Agreed
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Bean322 says:
i’m from nassau and i say C-YA Nassau…enjoy some new section 8 housing!!!!
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BOBcpa says:
I have been saying since they altered the construction in Brooklyn to have the ability to put in a hockey rink that Brooklyn WILL be the Islanders home in 2015 or at the very least a split of two arenas because Brooklyn can only handle 14,500 for Hockey
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Orngfan says:
To quote thom york “we hope that you choke” I can not wait to see these developers fall into chapter 11 and be forced into bankruptcy while the islanders thrive in Brooklyn/queens. Kate Murray better save room for dessert.
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Mike P says:
Bloomberg and city officials are probably lauging at the bumbling idiots in Nassau county and will be more then happy to see the Barclay center get the Isles, concerts,circus etc and all the tax dollars that will be generated from them while these developers build something else that will be vacant. Nassau no longer deserves this team and any longer if they do not come up with something viable..
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Doug F. says:
Go to Brooklyn…for now…once they get good again they will get their arena either in Queens or Suffolk…
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bryang says:
Thats how I feel. The seating capacity is adequate for the next year or two. But I do wonder if that still doesn’t give free agents the stability they want to come here.
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Mike says:
If they move to Brooklyn it’ll make it quite difficult for Suffolk residents to have season tickets. I know weekday games would be out for me so I’d have to give them up.
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jackson says:
The Islanders have had an agreement with NYR since the inception of the team that allows them to move anywhere on Long Island, even Queens or Brooklyn.
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Josh says:
What people forget is that there is a LIRR station right across the street from the arena. As a Suffolk resident, taking the LIRR would beat the hell out of battling the Meadowbrook in December.
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Grandma's Boy says:
Its about a 90 minute train ride to Atlantic Yards from Ronkonkoma. Adding waiting time and the drive home from the train station and you are looking at a 2 hour commute.
That will get old fast, especially for families going with young kids.-
I already do it to get to Mets games, whether it’s by car or train. A few extra trips for the Islanders won’t kill me or anyone else.
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NYCIslanders says:
Josh, do you work in Manhattan? Will you be willing to take the subway to Brooklyn after work to go to a game, then take the LIRR back to Jamaica, change trains, and head out to Suffolk, probably not getting home until after 11pm on a weeknight?
For the Nassau and Suffolk resident, I think Queens is a better solution. The best answer is in Uniondale.
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If they move to Brooklyn it will make it quite convenient for Brooklyn Islanders fans like myself who have zero ability to make it to Nassau for weekday games now.
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jon from nj says:
Based on an SI.com article earlier this week, it seems like Brooklyn is not an option, unless the NYRangers approve it, since it is considered their territory. So, why would they give up “their territory” to an arch-rival?
All of this points to…QUEBEC!!!! Just leave already and save us fans from the agony already.
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The Islanders have had an agreement with NYR since the inception of the team that allows them to move anywhere on Long Island, even Queens or Brooklyn.
sorry meant to post this here
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Whaaaaaaaaaaaat says:
What is this agreement? What exactly did we get out of it? The NHL doesn’t want the islanders to move ny is the biggest sports market in n America and hetman knows that he doesn’t care if the rangers want to b*tch about it if they can get into barclays I dint think this agreement will hold them back
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The Rock says:
Fact, i will post the atricle when I find the link again. The Teritorial agreement wirh the Rangers was amended in 85 or 86 to allow the relocation of the Isles to Queens or BK. It was amended when the huge TV contract with MSG was signed.
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Not true. The Islanders paid the indemnity fee to the Rangers when they entered the league. The Isles can call anywhere in the region home without having to pay another fee.
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Muggsy says:
Plus…Dolan supported the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the Nets to move there (remember he also owns the Knicks). He also supported the vote back in August. Since the Isles are one of the three teams to call MSG/MSG+/MSG+2/MSG in B&W their TV home, I don’t think Dolan would mind a move to either Brooklyn or Queens. It may help add value to the Isles which could help add value to the MSG Network.
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Funny the thing that always seemed to shut down the lighthouse project was the environmental plans. Could a project on this scale be supported by the current infrastructure (highway system etc).It will be interesting to see how this plays out if in fact these clowns are in bed with Kate. We should develop an opposition to whatever the F__k they propose just to stahl it and drive those Bas_a_ds crazy! Brooklyn it is
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Niedermizer says:
Take it from one who lives in the area, the road structure is inadequate to begin with. In addition, they are building another freaking mall (The Galleria) on Old Country Road, slightly west of Roosevelt Field.
How close am I to NVMCC? I have literally walked to a game (cutting through Eisenhower Park). How long does it take me to drive there? About 15 minutes to get around the park!
Look up “congested” in the dictionary and it will give a map of this area!
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ok, so more roads are needed. BUILD Them. Plenty of new roads were built when the Coliseum was built in the early 70s.
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Martin F says:
maybe im being overly pollyanna, but these guys have the clout and the financial backing. The Isles and Wang should try to cooperate. The Lighthouse version 4 ain’t happening. If it doesnt work on to Brooklyn!
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Jeffrey says:
I’ve been an Islander fan since 1972 and I live in Whitestone, Queens, NY. I go to about 25 games a year at Nassau Colliseum and even travel to Phili to see the Islanders play sometimes. Let’s get real here. Although I would love to see a new arena built near Citifield since it would be convenient for me, it is a big slap in the face to many Long Islanders who live in Suffolk to move this team to NYC, especially Brooklyn, which is basically a big time Ranger borough. Anyone who goes to Islander games knows that after games the Meadowbrook South and Northern Sate Pkwy East is jammed while the traffic West to NYC has little in comparison in the way of traffic. It is true that Nassau Colliseum is a minor league arena in comparison to MSG or the Prudential Center. If the power brokers in Nassau, do not want the Islanders to stay, I think Queens will make a big pitch for the Islanders and build a new arena for them.
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Kaszycki's Krew says:
Negotiate a settlement between Wang and the developers to either include the Islanders and have Wang (hopefully) sell the team to a group that can work with the new developers and include a new Coliseum – or – sell the team and move it for 2015 – and either way – get closure to this issue. I think Wang has burned too many bridges for him to continue past 2015 – unless he comes to the table and plays nice. If he is truly committed to the Isles on Long Island – and keeping the ownership – then let him move the team to another facility and tell these Yahoos to go stick it….be that facility on LONG ISLAND (preferred) or BKLYN or elsewhere.
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Hextall72 says:
Wake the F up charles!! Start publicly courting Suffolk, Bklyn and queens..
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CM says:
Wang does not know how. Look how he fu-ked up the yes vote last year. Such a poor campaign.
Has to sell the team for the isles to have any hope.
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I agree. He had the rushed pressed and said not a single dollar of tax payer money involved. Then the very next day it was $13′ then a week later $34.
To me all of that is trivial anyway, but for some people it isn’t. You feel being lied to right away and $34 quickly becomes $340. The worst thing you. Old ever do is promise $0. The second anything even trivial is thrown out people freak.
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Wang Must Sell says:
Right on Target!! Wang needs to sell the Team!!
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AJAX says:
Good. Brooklyn, lets go there.
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Blizzard says: Brooklyn isn’t the best option IMO. Although preferable to any scenario that takes the Islanders out of the region.
More importantly however there are clearly powers at play here and the corruption is insidious. If I was Charles Wang I would announce my intention to move the Islanders and break the lease, declare the NVC condemned and hole up in Brooklyn now. Let Nassau county rot in its filth and corruption.
The Uniondale hub will become even more of a hole as there is nothing they could build there that could replace a modern arena and the NHL and high profile events it would draw for Long Island.
disgusting and indicative of the mass dysfunction of the local government.
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Mike says:
Jay Jacobs and the CROOKS at For a BETTER LI (LOL) should be in PRISON!!!!!!!!
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My read is that once the Wilpons reach a settlement on the Madoff lawsuit (trial starts March 19), they will look to partner an agreement to build a hockey arena near Citified. That’s a lot better than Brooklyn. The Islanders are on the verge of contending for years to come and need a new home.
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I still think that’s where they wind up. Brooklyn may be a 1 or 2 season stopgap while a formal home is built in Queens.
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Steve C says:
Madoff Trustee Picard will likely appeal that decision to the Second Circuit of Appeals. However, the fact that the Wilpons put at least 2 bids on WP even before the lawsuit got slashed is a suggestion they can take on a multipurpose arena as well. With revenue bonds that is.
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The New Isles GM says:
I don’t know about the rest of you but I haven’t spent a dime in Nassau in two years and I’m proud of that. All the crook politicians think they have it all figured out while the County remains bankrupt. With a new stadium being built in Brooklyn and easy transportation to get to the arena, it seems as if our new coliseum is right before our very own eyes. I am very excited about this. I hope Charles Wang negotiates a deal with Barclay’s to fill that arena 41 nights a year and beyond. 2015 can’t come soon enough.
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BobbyNy23 says:
Empty parking lot will definitely be better for long island residents. Drive by and tell my sons there once was a proud franchise, our only professional team, here but now its empty office space and there is a car show every month because political parties got into a pissing match.
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isles2191 says:
f***k T.O.H take it to brooklynn…still technically on the island…
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moonshine says:
i’m not an engineer, but when i go to nvmc i look around and try to imagine how the building could be upgraded.
the sightlines are excellent for watching games, much better than msg. needs new seats in the worst way. luxury suites unfortunately couldn’t be added in the way they are incorporated in new arenas.
concourse needs total refurbishing. red tile has to go. but main idea imo would be to build out from exterior walls and create space for shops/restaurants/bars/whatever. there’s space all around the building. build out so you’d have new spaces with nice double-height ceilings.
brooklyn i’m a little skeptical. you’d be changing the fan base quite a bit. you’d be paying rent and pbl not get a great deal. it’s not a top-class arena. it’s smallish, especially for hockey. -
Matt says:
im all for brooklyn, my only question is where do they build a practice facility? Does it stay on LI? Im thinking way ahead but just a thought
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Easy…at Aviator. Plenty of room there.
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george says:
So, they are for it now…..as long as they get to develop it? What horse-sh*t!
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dr.zizzmore 29 says:
This isn’t about the the Isles people, its all politics. Think about it….why did the republican party squash the Lighthouse Development? They squashed it because if it went through, the people who would have moved into the development would have been predominantly democrats, independants or liberals. Mondello and Kate Murray could not allow that to happen. If it did, the republican stronghold on the Town of Hempstead would have been eliminated and the party’s local polictical dominance would have been challenged. I am an independant voter, who sometimes has a republican point of view. This though make me sick to my stomach, because it is all about the votes and has nothing to do with whats best for the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County and Long Island. (pardon my typos)
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Joe says:
More Nassau corruption. What is a meeting with mangano like? Talking to a rock?? As dumb as they get. The Isles will be better off in the long run. Mangano will be know as the one who let them get away!!! GO ISLES!!!!!!
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slsangus says: To use a much-overused phrase, “it is what it is.” Here’s what it is…
First, understand the hard reality that a privately financed arena-only plan at that site (with no more than 60-80 active nights per year) is a guaranteed money-loser. Otherwise, there would be a twelve-year old arena there built by Charles Wang in 2001. Given this, there are 3 conceivable ways the Coliseum issue could be resolved in a way that keeps the Isles there.
1. Charles Wang does a massive private development in which the housing, retail, and office space finances the arena. RIP at the hands of the TOH, July 2010.
2. Nassau County builds a new facility at taxpayer expense. RIP at the hands of voters, August 2011.
3. Other private forces develop the site, including an arena with a lease agreement with which the developers and Wang can live. TBD.
There is no question that these developers have the $ and the political pull in the County and TOH to get a decent fraction of what they want done at that site. The ball is largely in Charles Wang’s court. If his proclaimed love for LI and desire to keep the Isles here outweighs his hopes of getting development at the site under his aegis, and the developers are willing to create a scenario with which he can live, the team stays.
If not on either count, we’re probably looking at a modified Islander logo that includes the land on LI west of the Cross Island Parkway.
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And we finally get to see if Charles is the savior like some say or simply bought the team as a prospective land grab like I believe. I still do not think he wants to be a tenant anywhere, even with a friendly lease. We shall see.
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jerome says:
dk you are absolutely right.The man has been holding the team hostage for his own real estate purposes.he is the worst woner in the history of professional sports.
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onesinceforty@bellsouth.net says:
Mr. Spano and Steve Gluckstern just called. They agree!
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rob says:
islanderspointblank was little too negative. think about it..what would they want to build their? more homes? another mall? all this partisan talk of its the republicans fault its that persons fault is a waste or time and fat out stupid. the bottom line is the best deal comes about without the taxpayer flipping the bill and preserves or even reestablishes the Islanders and the Nassau County.
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Ted says:
For all the Nassau County residents who voted against the Coliseum referendum in fear that their taxes would go up, Guess what? If these 4 developers plan goes through your taxes are still going up! Surprise, Surprise. Nassau County does not deserve the Islanders. I still hope that Suffolk County will step up and throw their hat into the ring, but if it’s Brooklyn, than so be it….
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Shame on Murray and mangano for letting it come to this. They are taking this county down to levels never seen. This could have been resolved years ago but typical Nassau fashion we wait to the last minute, spend more time and money and get nothing done.
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Joe says:
So what’s in Nassau County without the Islanders? Nassau County already has the biggest exodus of 18-25 year olds in the country over the past 10 years. Now they want the only attraction to leave? Ok, fine. Ten years after the Islanders leave, and Nassau County is practically gone, we can blame these fools. I would love it so much is the Islanders just said “screw you” to Nassau and moved to Brooklyn or Queens. Who needs Nassau County anyway?
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Phil L says:
there was an interesting article not too long (espn I think) about how no area has ever lost a pro sports team, and ever saw economic growth after. Losing a pro team is a huge red flag to corp’s looking to move to/from LI and Nassau in particular. This is well documented, yet the “Assoc. for Better LI” is apparently all for the Isles leaving, so I wonder who is it really better for?
If Suffolk Exc, Bellone is truely interested in creating a high tech industry sector in Suffolk like he promised, he’d be well advised to make a very strong pitch/proposal for the Isles to move to Suffolk -
isles14 says:
unoidale.come open a business here.make sure you are armed.
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Wang should stick a fork to Nassau. Just MOVE the team to either Brooklyn or Queens.
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IslesfanJT91 says:
Move to queens if possible at willets point technically still on the island and easier acces for people from CT and other places in the City. Taking a train to the games from CT would make me get season tickets
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vrinqueens says:
Cablevision deal assures them at least $20 million yr. until 2035, they’re NOT leaving the area. Those four idiots just made the decision to move to Brooklyn that much easier. Love it!!
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Dom says:
Go ahead and “develop” the land WITHOUT a Coliseum and the Islanders. What do they propose to fill the 77 acres with?…..more MALLS AND OFFICE SPACE? Without the Coliseum, the County will be UNABLE to generate any JOBS so people could shop and start businesses. Genius, eh? WOW!..can’t believe HOW STUPID THESE JERKOFFS IN NASSAU COUNTY ARE!. Good, go rot away with your 77 acres, LOSERS!
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Paul M says:
It’s a vicious cycle. Our children 18-25 year olds are leaving in droves due to no jobs. As last contributor said, corporations need a venue for their clients to come or go to. Pro sport is big draw. Soon to be not here in Nassau. A shame for a long time Islander fan who saw them win 2 of 4 cups in person
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Numbers65 in Ohio says:
Please say something that pisses Wang off so we can just get out of the mausoleum ASAP and break the lease. GO ANYWHERE we can plant our boys and grow. Preferably NY. I don’t want to stay in Nassau no matter what (easy for me to say living in Ohio-lol). I hope to go to the BEAUTIFUL Nationwide Arena in the Awesome Arena district with Ballpark for the last game of the regular season. ISLES VS JACKETS!!!! Hopefully it won’t be the Isles last (as in make the playoffs). The Arena district is SOOOOOO similar to THE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT and it really helped turned around a delapidated part of the city and turned it into a place where people live, work, eat, and are entertained. To bad folks in Nassau couldn’t see the genious in it….
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Frustrated Voter says:
Kate Murray is on the take. She is corrupt and should be voted out of office.
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Fire Snow says:
What politician isnt corrupt? This country has quickly gone down the tubes!
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Al L says:
If Barclays isn’t reconfiguered and sightlines improved to accomodate NHL Hockey it won’t be acceptible. With 14500 capacity loaded with obstructed viewing Wang would be crazy to sign a long term deal with Bruce Yomark. Considering the interest the owners of Barclays are showing for Hockey,I can’t believe they were so shortsighted in the construction of their arena. Hopefully they left the possibility open and can add 3-4000 seats and improve sightlines.
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It is important to note that there are other options in Nassau County besides Uniondale- such as Belmont.
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Bill says:
I am a full season ticket holder to the Islanders and I live in Orange County NY. While I want desperately for the team to remain in Nassau it’s becoming pretty clear that Brooklyn may be In there best interest. It would be great to be able to take Metro North into the city than use the Subway.
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Dave says:
who says sightlines are bad there? and 14,500 might actually be decent for this team…we usually pull in the 12,000s or 13,000s – with the team better and drawing a few more, i think 14,500 is a great # if you wanna start showing the league you can sellout routinely.
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Jim Clark says: We can’t enjoy last nite stirring effort against the Sabres without having to read the 463rd plan to redevelop Mitchell Field?
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mrlbem says:
I have no love lost for Nassau County Republicans, but the ABLI opposition to the referendum was driven by Jay Jacobs and Nassau County democrats who were obviously in the pockets of the ABLI members. A lot of revisionist history in this comments section. Bottom line is that no one in either party wants to deal with the Owner.
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You are 100% correct sir, also don’t forget Jacobs went on the radio and said we should tax season ticket holders in order to pay for a new arena. The fans get screwed by BOTH political parties and a stubborn owner.
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Adam says:
What these people fail to realize is that without a primary tenant there is absolutely no incentive to ever fix the building (or god forbid build a new one). Within 5 years of the islanders leaving, the building will be in such disarray that shows will stop coming. Why come to a hell hole in Nassau when you can go to a brand new arena 40 minutes west in Brooklyn. So then you are left with an empty, run-down building. What then?
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John says:
Well, since Wang’s a moron, look for him to try and deal with these people. If he had a brain, he’d be on the Brooklyn deal now thus giving the fans and his team and potential FA’s a bright future.
And get of the Republican thing, the Dems line their pockets as well, they are all cooked
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I thought there were some plans for Hofstra to build some kind of hub for the University if the Ilses left, no plans for a coliseum just plans for the University. Katie was excited about that plan from what I understnd. Isles bring in 250 million in tax revenue a yr. Good luck with that Nassau, I am playing the mega millions lottery so I can win and buy the team from Wang and tell the corrupt politicains to go scratch!!
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sm says:
i think this is a good thing….heres why.
a) the team owner is no longer the builder, so neither the owner nor team are the focus.
b) Mr Wang has the power to decline any plan he doesn’t like for the site. so for 3 years, he has all the power, none of the exposure.
c) as stated time and again, neither the people nor the economy support a huge commercial plan. low income housing next to Hosftra and the Mitchell field attraction, cant see it.
Mr Wang can end the game, without having skin in the game, until 2015. never forget the toes you step on today might be connected to the arse you got kiss tomorrow.
And if the Isles can move the team anywhere on Long Island without paying the Rangers, thats huge.
i dont think this is sprising news to Mr Wang, and i think hes got morelawyers smarts money and inside knowledge then we know. hehasn’t fought with public officials, my opinion is he spends time with the folks who give orders to the public officials. -
brooklyn..has anybody actually sat in the arena, cause i dont think its finished yet. so maybe the whole site lines thing is premature? lets see the baby born before we call it an ugly hockey failure…
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gonebabygone says:
Time to move them. As someone in that 18-25 demographic, I’m getting off this sinking Island ASAP.
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Im not a season ticket holder but still as much if not more of a fan than any season ticket holder just cant justify spending that kind of money at a weak product and morgage any kind of future my kids might have but i hear you gonebabygone!!! Im right there with you, gotta get outta here!!!
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twocents says:
Anyone hear any talk about Hartford?
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
The Isles / Wang are as close to a solution today as they were the day Rick DiPietro was drafted. How’s that for a little perspective.
As far as Brooklyn goes … Barclays is actually located on the site of the Battle of Long Island … just sayin’.
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DB17 says:
Screw Uniondale….they haven’t deserved a team since 1991. Might as well work on moving to Brooklyn now, and get it over with- all I can say is, you guys can kill him any way you want, but you can’t say Wang didn’t want to keep the team on Long Island. I would have told Nassau, “f*ck you,” A LONG TIME AGO. Those who should have embraced their only professional franchise have been nothing but garbage since Gulotta was in charge of the county, and the Town is even more of a piece of sh*t. It’s a complete atrocious embarrassment, and it always has been. I just hope that if Wang does move them to Brooklyn, he lets Nassau and Uniondale know what he really thinks about their shenanigans. Someone should…
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Scott says:
Can someone please give a little insight on what happens if the islanders moved prior to the agreed upon lease….Brooklyn is a better option than Suffolk or queens…the ils will automacily become a story…u want increased sales try a third jersey will Brooklyn across it…guarantee it will be a hard ticket to get…basically that part of Brooklyn is a booming city…corporations with swoop up tickets for clients….I love the islanders and as we watch Nassau blow this deal…Brooklyn is the best option for respectability and to keep this team in town!! Let’s do this
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Piper (in DC) says:
Nash is avail……..
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Hell yeah …. big Blue!!!!!
Just got back from Modells, at least 300 people there. Now back to planning my draft party night in June.
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IVO says:
Question Kevin Schultz if the isles move to Brooklyn-how does it work out in WANGS advantage?
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Mike says:
Cuomo might be only one that can keep Isles in Nassau with the funding he can provide and leadership. Local politicians are corrupt and ABLI is a joke. He is meeting with Mangano I think next week. time to pressure his office with emails and phone calls.
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A better Long Island???
This group left about 100 nasty, false phone messages right before the Aug.1st vote. if the Islanders leave, the pockets of these developers are the only thing that will be better. Shame on all the low life politicians who are screwing the people of L.I.!
I would not get in bed with these corrupt crooks. Mr. Wang, run to Brooklyn, run to Queens, Belmont, Suffolk…anywhere..leave these arrogant jerks and let them soak in their own waste! Shame on Mangano for even entertaining a redevelopment project that does not include the N.Y.I. -
jeff wall says:
Here is an interesting mock up for a new islander logo. Check this out:
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Looks good to me…
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Jonathan, Smithtown says:
Plus you can booze on the train.
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JT-27 says:
Move the Isles to Brooklyn, raze the Coliseum, rebuild the rail extension (which I think is still used for freight to Roosevelt Field and the circus) and let Woody Johnson use his own money for a Jets Stadium in Uniondale.
Tonight cemented the fact that the Meadowlands is and always will be Giants Country!
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Yup…being a Giants season ticket holder for over 30 years all I can say is Go Big Blue!!!
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sean says:
Islanders are done in nassau
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charles wang sell the team.you are the worst owner in the history of professional sports.You have destroyed the greatest dynasty in sports,driven us straight to the ground.Forget a new arena, the real issue here is we need a new owner one who is a real islander fan not a fake lier like wang who says he is a islander fan.You like to see the team loose wang year after year?You like to see us beaten game after game by the philiadelphia flyers its like men against boys we cant defend ourselves.Wanger your just a pathetic loser lets tell it like it is.Where is the head of scouting?you fired him you dont want to pay?Why dont we have a real radio station?Answer the question wang.Mike francesa can ask you soft questions so can howie rose be a man and do a real interview with someone who will ask you real questions same to you garth snow.
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Bravo Jerome! May I also add that when Trottier’s contract came do, he was “re-assigned”. I guess he never expected the assignment to be a couch in Pittsburgh. For the record, Comeau said Trottier was a huge help to him and the other young players. Just saying.
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oh one other point, no one in nhl circles or on long island likes wang.Other gms dont even talk with garth snow outside of perhaps 2.The reality is wang is stubborn ignorant and not well liked,he is holding the team hostage like he has since he took over as owner for his own real estate ventures.this is the truth.
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Paul says:
Just move the team. More than enough time has been wasted.
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Jack says:
Wang gave it the “my way or the highway” additude as usual and lost. It was his vision for the LH or nothing. Remember how he said a smaller project couldn’t work for him financially but when it was the taxpayers money suddenly a smaller project was guaranteed to make money? Wnag is a con artist and his greed has all but destroyed this once proud Islander Franchise.
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Exactly Jack … he is the 8 year old with the football at the park that didn’t get his way and took off.
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All the Brooklyn talk is getting pretty silly. How is playing as a tennant in Brooklyn any different than playing as a tennant in Nassau??? The make the big money in sports today you need ownership or complete control of the revenue streams from the arena. Brooklyn doesn’t solve the Isles problem and it’s not a hockey stadium.
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dg putney says:
its just a small death losing
the Isles
chapter 11 for nassau county
with its mighty corruption
will be a much harder pill
for all to swallow
where has the integrity gone
the land will return as it once
was
an empty plain, high winds
and a racetrack and casino
to collect taxes, for the good
of the greedy -
Great for this Group! Not so Great for Charles “The Con-artist” Wang.
I have been a fan for over 30yrs and have had season tickets for 10 years. Gave them up because of Charle’s Wangs lack of making a Team Competitive and a Joke of the NHL.
So with that said, Go ahead Con-artist Wang and Move the Team away. I hope you Either Sell or move this Team because you are the Worst.
Maybe Wang should put the Team up for Sale and see if this group wants to Buy them?
I am sure if their are people looking to spend over $400 mill to build somthing at the coliseum site, some other group or billionaire’s would look to buy them for 190-200 mill with a new building attached!
So I could care less for Charles”The Con-Artist” Wang. GO! MOVE! Just get Lost!
At the sacrifice of the Islanders i would love to See Wang Move.
Because you will have the Same GM and SH*T Team you see now in a different Location with Empty seats. GO! -
fred says:
dont move that s**t team to brooklyn, try kansas city or quebec city
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93 Miracle says:
Your an embarrassment fred they should move different parts of your body to KC!
its like planning to demolish an apartment when people are still living there..