THE BROOKLYN ISLANDERS!!!!!!

lukin2006

Gary Carter wrote:

before there was even in a shovel in the ground Ratner asked Wang to come join him in Brooklyn and build an arena that sat somewhere around 18,000. Wang said thanks, but no i'm gonna work on a deal in Nassau. He ends up in Brooklyn anyways :fp:.

the blame for all this goes around from Nassau to Wang all the way back to the gang of four ownership. if one of the many ownership got together with Nassau and worked out a deal even if it was just a remodeled coliseum long island would still have a pro franchise. yes Brooklyn and Queens are part of Long Island on a map, but culturally it's different.

Hard to believe at 1 time they were maybe the successful expansion franchise ... now look at them.

lukin2006

DS1119 wrote:

Wang really has no blalme in this in my eyes. He took on the team that has a brutal lease agreement with the Colliseumand lost a lot of money trying to work out a new arena deal. He did a good service to the folks in Long Island and now it's time to move on. Nassau had every oppurtunity in the world to keep this team. Now go build another mall and enjoy the drive to Brooklyn.

Are those fans going to follow this team to Brooklyn? If not then they might need to think about rebranding this team ... new name ... uniforms the works.

Bettman seems happy they're in Brooklyn ... so you know it'll be hugely successful.

DS1119

lukin2006 wrote:

DS1119 wrote:

Wang really has no blalme in this in my eyes. He took on the team that has a brutal lease agreement with the Colliseumand lost a lot of money trying to work out a new arena deal. He did a good service to the folks in Long Island and now it's time to move on. Nassau had every oppurtunity in the world to keep this team. Now go build another mall and enjoy the drive to Brooklyn.

Are those fans going to follow this team to Brooklyn? If not then they might need to think about rebranding this team ... new name ... uniforms the works.

Bettman seems happy they're in Brooklyn ... so you know it'll be hugely successful.

I think some will follow of course. I mean not every Islander fan lives on Long Island just like not every Devil fan lived in East Rutherford when they moved to Newark.

EdsonNascimento

DS1119 wrote:

lukin2006 wrote:

DS1119 wrote:

Wang really has no blalme in this in my eyes. He took on the team that has a brutal lease agreement with the Colliseumand lost a lot of money trying to work out a new arena deal. He did a good service to the folks in Long Island and now it's time to move on. Nassau had every oppurtunity in the world to keep this team. Now go build another mall and enjoy the drive to Brooklyn.

Are those fans going to follow this team to Brooklyn? If not then they might need to think about rebranding this team ... new name ... uniforms the works.

Bettman seems happy they're in Brooklyn ... so you know it'll be hugely successful.

I think some will follow of course. I mean not every Islander fan lives on Long Island just like not every Devil fan lived in East Rutherford when they moved to Newark.

Very few will follow to the seats. They may follow on TV, but I don't see them following with tickets.

Wang has lost 10's of millions of dollars, turned down more lucrative deals from Quebec, KC, Hartford, etc. Nassau County really screwed the pooch on this one. It was put to a vote last year, and folks turned down what would in effect be a $50 increase to property taxes to defray some of the cost. I'm not big on public building buildings for rich guys, but Wang had designed a huge project that would bring both affordable housing and a central HUB for the Island with everything from parks to condos/apartments to shopping (not that we need another shopping mall here) to office buildings that was mostly financed privately. The taxes that would have brought in in the long run would have far outweighed the amount the tax payers were being asked to pay in the short run.

There is little chance this thing gets re-built. It will eventually be torn down and converted into something similar (perhaps on a smaller scale) than the Lighthouse project Wang had offered. And I guarantee it's done at even more taxpayer's expense, as nobody was willing to develop the land a few years ago when the County put it up to bid.

It's really a mess and a shame.

On the re-branding - Wang yesterday insisted he's keeping it the New York Islanders. On one hand, cynical me thinks he's just saying that until they move (or are close to it) to try to keep as many Islanders (the citizens) coming to the games and not totally alienating them before the move. But, I actually believe him. Through this whole process, he has been true to his word. If anything, he's broken his word AGAINST his own benefit. He is from Long Island, and it is very important to him. That's why this has dragged out so long. So, it would seem counter to everything he's done to date to change the name.

As for the re-configuration/add on to make the arena bigger on the one end - it is already shoe horned into that community as is. There's no place for the to build out unless they eliminate the hallways inside, the sidewalk and street outside, so on and so forth. So, they are stuck with that one goal. Now, they will probably do something with the site lines from the upper deck. But, the arena was really poorly designed. You go on line to get tickets to shows, and there are corner seats in the 100 sections across from the stage listed as partial view. Who designs a modern facility that way? I think the space limitation in the area they plopped it down probably had something to do with it.

I only went to a couple games a year. If I'm getting on a train, it's to go to MSG. Not to Brooklyn.

DS1119

EdsonNascimento wrote:

Very few will follow to the seats. They may follow on TV, but I don't see them following with tickets.

Wang has lost 10's of millions of dollars, turned down more lucrative deals from Quebec, KC, Hartford, etc. Nassau County really screwed the pooch on this one. It was put to a vote last year, and folks turned down what would in effect be a $50 increase to property taxes to defray some of the cost. I'm not big on public building buildings for rich guys, but Wang had designed a huge project that would bring both affordable housing and a central HUB for the Island with everything from parks to condos/apartments to shopping (not that we need another shopping mall here) to office buildings that was mostly financed privately. The taxes that would have brought in in the long run would have far outweighed the amount the tax payers were being asked to pay in the short run.

There is little chance this thing gets re-built. It will eventually be torn down and converted into something similar (perhaps on a smaller scale) than the Lighthouse project Wang had offered. And I guarantee it's done at even more taxpayer's expense, as nobody was willing to develop the land a few years ago when the County put it up to bid.

It's really a mess and a shame.

On the re-branding - Wang yesterday insisted he's keeping it the New York Islanders. On one hand, cynical me thinks he's just saying that until they move (or are close to it) to try to keep as many Islanders (the citizens) coming to the games and not totally alienating them before the move. But, I actually believe him. Through this whole process, he has been true to his word. If anything, he's broken his word AGAINST his own benefit. He is from Long Island, and it is very important to him. That's why this has dragged out so long. So, it would seem counter to everything he's done to date to change the name.

As for the re-configuration/add on to make the arena bigger on the one end - it is already shoe horned into that community as is. There's no place for the to build out unless they eliminate the hallways inside, the sidewalk and street outside, so on and so forth. So, they are stuck with that one goal. Now, they will probably do something with the site lines from the upper deck. But, the arena was really poorly designed. You go on line to get tickets to shows, and there are corner seats in the 100 sections across from the stage listed as partial view. Who designs a modern facility that way? I think the space limitation in the area they plopped it down probably had something to do with it.

I only went to a couple games a year. If I'm getting on a train, it's to go to MSG. Not to Brooklyn.

I agree with most of this. Especially any Islander fan who thinks this is somehow because of Wang is majorally misinformed. The guy took a lot less money to move the team 30 minutes away from the shithole they are currently playing in. Islander faithfull should be thankful this isn't the Kansas City Scouts Part Deux.

Black Diamond

DS1119 wrote:

lukin2006 wrote:

DS1119 wrote:

Wang really has no blalme in this in my eyes. He took on the team that has a brutal lease agreement with the Colliseumand lost a lot of money trying to work out a new arena deal. He did a good service to the folks in Long Island and now it's time to move on. Nassau had every oppurtunity in the world to keep this team. Now go build another mall and enjoy the drive to Brooklyn.

Are those fans going to follow this team to Brooklyn? If not then they might need to think about rebranding this team ... new name ... uniforms the works.

Bettman seems happy they're in Brooklyn ... so you know it'll be hugely successful.

I think some will follow of course. I mean not every Islander fan lives on Long Island just like not every Devil fan lived in East Rutherford when they moved to Newark.

Newark is 10 minutes from East Rutherford
Atlantic Yards is at least an hour with traffic from Nassau Coliseum...

As far as names go, Brooklyn is part of Long Island, no reason to change it.

DS1119

Bottom line is Wang gave Isalnder fan and Nassau every oppurtunity to keep this team in Long Island. They failed. Go ahead and blame him if you want. He took a leeser deal to keep the team as close as he could. Most people, myself included, wouldn't have given a shit.

MayDay10

DS1119 wrote:

I agree with most of this. Especially any Islander fan who thinks this is somehow because of Wang is majorally misinformed. The guy took a lot less money to move the team 30 minutes away from the shithole they are currently playing in. Islander faithfull should be thankful this isn't the Kansas City Scouts Part Deux.

I dont think there was any chance Wang or the NHL would walk away from their completely ridiculous television deal they have for like the next 500 years. Also, the CBA is going to be changed to allow the Islanders to collect revenue sharing, unlike the last CBA that disqualified them due to market share.
I would also bet that the NHL is waiving any relocation fees where a move to KC would have cost Wang a ton... and a move to Kansas City would in all likelihood fail.

This is Nassau County painting him into a corner. Not really Wang's fault other than him being a terrible owner, circumventing the cap floor and not creating enough interest. If the Isles were good/relevant, the Lighthouse project would have been accepted.

DS1119

MayDay10 wrote:

DS1119 wrote:

I agree with most of this. Especially any Islander fan who thinks this is somehow because of Wang is majorally misinformed. The guy took a lot less money to move the team 30 minutes away from the shithole they are currently playing in. Islander faithfull should be thankful this isn't the Kansas City Scouts Part Deux.

I dont think there was any chance Wang or the NHL would walk away from their completely ridiculous television deal they have for like the next 500 years. Also, the CBA is going to be changed to allow the Islanders to collect revenue sharing, unlike the last CBA that disqualified them due to market share.
I would also bet that the NHL is waiving any relocation fees where a move to KC would have cost Wang a ton... and a move to Kansas City would in all likelihood fail.

This is Nassau County painting him into a corner. Not really Wang's fault other than him being a terrible owner, circumventing the cap floor and not creating enough interest. If the Isles were good/relevant, the Lighthouse project would have been accepted.

You have seen the lease agreement he inherited correct? He also spent the majority of nine years trying to get a project passed all the while losing money. Far from his fault.

MayDay10

I said it wasnt his fault other than putting an awful product on the ice.

If they would have been a better team, there would have been more pressure and incentive to build the facility.

DS1119

MayDay10 wrote:

I said it wasnt his fault other than putting an awful product on the ice.

If they would have been a better team, there would have been more pressure and incentive to build the facility.

I think it's a case of the chicken and egg. An owner can only be expected to bleed so much money and they could not lure any substantial free agents to that team at all with the state of the team and it's facility. This is a positive move in my opion for the NHL and Islander fans (if there are any) and they should be happy the team is a train or car ride away.....not a flight.

neilybabes86

they are gonna keep the logo..but they need to expand the picture of long island to include brooklyn on the crest

they are gonna lose the old timers who don't want to commute

even though the LIRR stops outside..people don't want to get home midnight on a tuesday


as for attendance ..the only average around 13,000 the past few years....so thats a non issue

me personally i can now go see all 3 games when my NYR play there.....
plus on a boring weekend i would have no problem going to a game involving any team becasue of the closeness to my apt

josevolution

Barclay's piss center

shep

EdsonNascimento wrote:

.

As for the fans - who can blame them either. What team (other than the Rangers) sell out their arena when the team sucks year after year?

Let me introduce you to the most lucrative team in the NHL - The Toronto Maple Leafs (last cup, 1967).



Sell out every game, with the highest average ticket price in the league. Last time I checked gold circle seats were $450/game + taxes and fees, and that was in 2008....

Sorry, the Habs fan in me just couldn't let that comment slide, even though it was 2 pages and 12-13 hours ago...

neilybabes86

under their new logo is gonna be the slogan

"change at jamiaca "


only LIRR customers will get that joke

DS1119

neilybabes86 wrote:

under their new logo is gonna be the slogan

"change at jamiaca "


only LIRR customers will get that joke

Jamiaca is not a nice place to be...ever.

Gary Carter

DS, Wang is def at fault here. He's been a horrible owner from day one and has poorly run the team. What owner runs Neil Smith, we're talking Neil Smith here, one of the most respected hockey minds. Ontop of that let's not get into the coaching revolving door or the yashin contract or hiring a backup goalie as gm or giving Dippy a lifetime contract. He's also raised ticket prices every year since owning team. Yes the smg deal is horrible, but if you don't put money into the team and make stupid moves people won't care. If Wang put money into the team, people would actually go to games and that dump would rock. Back when the isles played the leafs in the first round in 01, that old barn was rocking and was so loud that even the players on both teams could feel it. Why should Nassau and TOH approve a massive land deal for a bottom feeder team with no hope, I really can't blame. Had this team been in the playoffs year in and year out, Nassau and TOH woulda approved the LHP.

Per Charles Wang: 30% of STH in Nassau, 30% in Suffolk and 40% in Queens, Brooklyn, Westchester, Manhattan, and NJ

Black Diamond

neilybabes86 wrote:

under their new logo is gonna be the slogan

"change at jamiaca "


only LIRR customers will get that joke

DS1119

Gary Carter wrote:

DS, Wang is def at fault here. He's been a horrible owner from day one and has poorly run the team. What owner runs Neil Smith, we're talking Neil Smith here, one of the most respected hockey minds. Ontop of that let's not get into the coaching revolving door or the yashin contract or hiring a backup goalie as gm or giving Dippy a lifetime contract. He's also raised ticket prices every year since owning team. Yes the smg deal is horrible, but if you don't put money into the team and make stupid moves people won't care. If Wang put money into the team, people would actually go to games and that dump would rock. Back when the isles played the leafs in the first round in 01, that old barn was rocking and was so loud that even the players on both teams could feel it. Why should Nassau and TOH approve a massive land deal for a bottom feeder team with no hope, I really can't blame. Had this team been in the playoffs year in and year out, Nassau and TOH woulda approved the LHP.

Per Charles Wang: 30% of STH in Nassau, 30% in Suffolk and 40% in Queens, Brooklyn, Westchester, Manhattan, and NJ

How much more money did you expect him to invest in the team, or let me rephrase that, lose on the team? 9 years the guy tried to get an arena built. 9 years! Islander fans should be thankful he;s loyal enough to keep the team in the NY. Me personally, would be speaking French in Quebec or eating barbucue in KC (both I hate BTW).

Gary Carter

A lot more than what he did. Yes he lost money, but if he put money into the team he wouldn't have ever been in this position. He only wanted this team for his LHP, once that was dead he stopped caring bout this team. He'll still make out pretty nicely once he sells to the nets ownership. No I don't believe they were ever going to move at all. That tv contract is too rich and bettman woulda voted any move. I'm happy this team isn't moving, I just don't like the location where they moved to. I still had hopes of them moving to queens like the many many rumors that were floated around. I've been a fan my whole life and I couldn't be fucked to spend money on this team.