[Rumour] Barclays Center Is Dumping the Islanders

[Otto-matic]

Looks like the Islanders will be looking for a new arena.

After two years and countless complaints, Brooklyn’s Barclays Center has concluded it’s no longer worth it to host the New York Islanders.

The arena, which is already home to the NBA’s Nets and one of the world’s top-grossing concert venues, would make more money without the National Hockey League team, according to people familiar with the facility’s financials.

Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, who owns the building and the Nets, has since November been seeking an investor to take a stake in both. As of earlier this month, a financial projection shared with potential investors showed the Islanders won’t contribute any revenue after the 2018-19 season -- a clear signal that the team won’t play there, the people said.

The lease can be terminated by either the Islanders or arena management. If the team cancels, it can leave after next season. If Barclays Center nixes the deal, then the Islanders’ tenancy would end after the 2018-19 season. Then the question becomes: Where will the Islanders play?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...-the-islanders

[dissentowner]

Can they go back to the building they used to play in?

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Can they go back to the building they used to play in?

I thought it was falling apart.

how about they just move to quebec.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Can they go back to the building they used to play in?

and this would be all their players:

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by GordonBlue

I thought it was falling apart.

how about they just move to quebec.

Wouldn't that add an extra element of entertainment to the game.
Announcer: Tavares breaks down the wing, cuts past the defender, and oh no, a falling chunk of roof blocks his shot!

[dissentowner]

So if they can't go back what are the other options? Is there any other buildings they could play in nearby? I can't see the NHL letting a historic 4x SC champ franchise move away.

[djsFlames]

Quebec Islandiques.

[Toonage]

The old Nassau Coliseum will be done renovations this year won't it?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Can they go back to the building they used to play in?

http://www.nassaucoliseum.com/nassau...ign-renderings


They are doing a redesign and face lift.

[trumpethead]

Originally Posted by GordonBlue

I thought it was falling apart.

Actually it looks like its getting a multi-million dollar reno.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/inside...ons-1.11635611

[TheScorpion]

Hahaha, this is hilarious.

Viva la Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum!

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

http://www.nassaucoliseum.com/nassau...ign-renderings


They are doing a redesign and face lift.

Wikipedia page indicates the capacity will be reduced to 13K if I'm reading that properly.

So Islanders are essentially gonna be renting out of temporary homes until they build themselves a permanent one.

[FireGilbert]

Pretty much saw that coming, looked like a horrible place to watch hockey. What was the reason for the Islanders never getting involved prior to Barclays being built so the arena could be configured for hockey? Was Wang still trying to get an arena built in Nassau county?

Simple solution: Move them to Quebec City but call it an expansion team made up of former Islanders. Then in a few years if a proper arena is built on Long Island award an expansion team but call it a continuation of the Islanders franchise. Then they can keep the history.

[nfotiu]

I read that the updated coliseum will only hold 13,000 people. That wouldn't work for the NHL would it?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

So if they can't go back what are the other options? Is there any other buildings they could play in nearby? I can't see the NHL letting a historic 4x SC champ franchise move away.

Based on a Wikipedia list, if they can't go back to Nassau, the next largest arena in the state is in Albany, and seats 14,000 for hockey. After that, Rochester at 11,000. (I'm excluding East Rutherford as an option, though I wonder if it might work as a temporary venue.)

It's Nassau, a new arena, or relocation. And unless things have changed, the last renovation proposal I had seen for Nassau reduces its capacity to about 13,000.

[Toonage]

What were the crowds before they moved to Barclays and what are the crowds like now? Both under 13,000?

Edit: here is the current average

"A look at NHL average attendance figures show the Islanders rank dead last, bringing in 12,379 fans per game."

puckprose.com

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by GordonBlue

I thought it was falling apart.

how about they just move to quebec.

The Hurricanes will be in Quebec at the start of next season.

[FanIn80]

They could always just merge with the Flames.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Toonage

What were the crowds before they moved to Barclays and what are the crowds like now? Both under 13,000?

Edit: here is the current average

"A look at NHL average attendance figures show the Islanders rank dead last, bringing in 12,379 fans per game."

puckprose.com

About the same as usual, but much lower than the last two years in Nassau (thanks to a playoff push): http://www.hockeydb.com/nhl-attendan...h.php?tmi=7085

But, the revenue is almost certainly higher. Suites, and the arena apparently set some rather silly ticket prices.

[jayswin]

nm