[News] Islanders announce move to Brooklyn in 2015

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by valo403

Yeah, Prokhorov, who also brought along the anchor tenant that made the whole thing feasible. At the time that happened Nassau was still very much in play. By the time things turned sour in Nassau there was little reason to bring in another partner for Barclays. Heck, by the time Nassau was out of the question Barclays was half finished.

Ratner already owned the Nets, so the anchor tenant was a foregone conclusion. The Russian was brought in because Ratner needed the money. Things were sour in Nassau long before the vote. The Nassau vote was just a formality and everyone knew it was doomed except for Wang.

I guess you could give points to Wang for being loyal to Long Island but as a business man it was bad decision making.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Ratner already owned the Nets, so the anchor tenant was a foregone conclusion. The Russian was brought in because Ratner needed the money. Things were sour in Nassau long before the vote. The Nassau vote was just a formality and everyone knew it was doomed except for Wang.

I guess you could give points to Wang for being loyal to Long Island but as a business man it was bad decision making.

Things weren't sour in Nassau in 2009, there was a very real possibility that Lighthouse was going to happen, and if it did it would have been a goldmine. That property is virtually the only area of large buildable land remaining in the entire county and Wang was going to do a hell of a lot more than build an arena.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by valo403

Things weren't sour in Nassau in 2009, there was a very real possibility that Lighthouse was going to happen, and if it did it would have been a goldmine. That property is virtually the only area of large buildable land remaining in the entire county and Wang was going to do a hell of a lot more than build an arena.

Not true, Wang had given Hemstead an Oct. 2009 deadline to approve the Lighthouse project. They didn't and it was reported as dead. I'd say things had gone sour in 09. All that was left was to try for the arena, and the vote on the arena was a formality as it was a lost cause.

[Hunter7]

According to local press the Isles tixs will rise 25% after the move.
The new arena has 100 luxury boxes.

NHL has said no changes to the team name or jerseys, but I'm guessing we'll get a 3rd jersey with Brooklyn Islanders.

New seats will be added before 2015.Bettman says seating will be 15,015.

[Hunter7]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Not true, Wang had given Hemstead an Oct. 2009 deadline to approve the Lighthouse project. They didn't and it was reported as dead. I'd say things had gone sour in 09. All that was left was to try for the arena, and the vote on the arena was a formality as it was a lost cause.

That's not true. Wang never gave the County a deadline on the Lighthouse project.
When the Democrats ran the County, the Republicans opposed the project. Then when the Republicans gained control in the County, the Democrats opposed the privately financed project. Imo neither side wanted the other to get credit for this huge development deal.

The Aug. 2011 vote, was for a 2nd arena proposal. This one a publicly funded proposal. The voters rejected it.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Hunter7

That's not true. Wang never gave the County a deadline on the Lighthouse project.
When the Democrats ran the County, the Republicans opposed the project. Then when the Republicans gained control in the County, the Democrats opposed the privately financed project. Imo neither side wanted the other to get credit for this huge development deal.

The Aug. 2011 vote, was for a 2nd arena proposal. This one a publicly funded proposal. The voters rejected it.

Here you go.

WANG CONSIDERS OPTIONS OUTSIDE LONG ISLAND
October 8, 2009
Copyright 2009 MediaVentures
Long Island, N.Y. - New York Islanders owner Charles Wang says that now that the deadline has expired for progress on his $3.8 billion Lighthouse project that includes a renovation of Nassau Coliseum, he will entertain calls from others who might be interested in hosting the NHL franchise.

http://hockey.ballparks.com/NHL/NewY...s/newindex.htm

[robmneilson]

Originally Posted by valo403

Honestly for a lot of those people it will be about the same amount of effort to get to a game. People out east in Suffolk will have a bit of an issue, but if you're in Nassau county (particularly on the south shore) the trip to Barclays via LIRR will be very easy, and there will probably be plenty of parking available at the stations as the day parkers will be clearing out by that time.

That's true, I'll miss going to the games early to park for free, tailgate, and play road hockey though. But the move can't happen soon enough, now they just need to be able to win a game or two.

[Hunter7]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Here you go.

http://hockey.ballparks.com/NHL/NewY...s/newindex.htm

Wang's pr pushes meant very little. From 2008-2010/2011, he was scheduling training camps in Canada and preseason games in cities that were trying to acquire an nhl team. All this in an effort to pressure local pols, hoping they'd push thru a slightly scaled down version of his Lighthouse project.

It was only in 2011, that he finally accepted that the partisan pols would not work together and his Lighthopuse project was not going to happen. County Exec. Ed Mangano came up with plan B: a publicly funded stand alone arena. No retail stores, businesses or residential buildings.

Wang's Lighthouse project was a $3 billion - $4 billion project, on a larger scale then Ratner's $1 billion Barclay's Center. Listen to Wang give Ratner props for getting his deal done in that press conference.

There is no way that if County pols approved Wang's Lighthouse project anytime after Oct. 9, 2009, that Wang would have so ' No, thanks. You guys missed a deadline. I'm no longer interested."

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Hunter7

Wang's pr pushes meant very little. From 2008-2010/2011, he was scheduling training camps in Canada and preseason games in cities that were trying to acquire an nhl team. All this in an effort to pressure local pols, hoping they'd push thru a slightly scaled down version of his Lighthouse project.

It was only in 2011, that he finally accepted that the partisan pols would not work together and his Lighthopuse project was not going to happen. County Exec. Ed Mangano came up with plan B: a publicly funded stand alone arena. No retail stores, businesses or residential buildings.

Wang's Lighthouse project was a $3 billion - $4 billion project, on a larger scale then Ratner's $1 billion Barclay's Center. Listen to Wang give Ratner props for getting his deal done in that press conference.

There is no way that if County pols approved Wang's Lighthouse project anytime after Oct. 9, 2009, that Wang would have so ' No, thanks. You guys missed a deadline. I'm no longer interested."

Valo said things hadn't gone sour in 09, I showed they had. You said there had been no deadline for 09, I showed there was. Now you say it didn't mean anything but looking at the outcome, it obviously did.

[Hunter7]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Valo said things hadn't gone sour in 09, I showed they had. You said there had been no deadline for 09, I showed there was. Now you say it didn't mean anything but looking at the outcome, it obviously did.

The so called proof, was from a article dated Oct. 8, 2009.

Below are Wang's comments from Oct. 22, 2009
http://hockey.ballparks.com/NHL/NewY...s/newindex.htm

WANG SAYS REPORTS ARE FALSE
October 22, 2009
Copyright 2009 MediaVentures
Uniondale, N.Y. - New York Islanders owner Charles Wang says reports that he has abandoned plans to develop the Lighthouse project and renovate Nassau Coliseum are false, but they did prompt some calls from town officials indicating they were willing to speed up the process.
In a letter sent to Wang, Town Supervisor Kate Murray argued that modifying the project could resolve some of the town's environmental concerns, "making it possible for the town board to more promptly provide the certainty that you are seeking."
Wang hopes to build a $3.8-billion mixed-use development that would include a $320-million renovation to Nassau Coliseum, along with 42 buildings containing residential, retail and office space. He had set Oct. 3 as a deadline for "certainty," but has not yet received zoning approval from the town.
Wang repeated that he is awaiting a yes or no decision from the town. Wang said that he is continuing to "look at all options," which could include selling or moving the team. But he added: "My heart is still on Long Island. I love Long Island. This is where the Islanders belong. Let's play hockey."

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Hunter7

The so called proof, was from a article dated Oct. 8, 2009.

Below are Wang's comments from Oct. 22, 2009
http://hockey.ballparks.com/NHL/NewY...s/newindex.htm

WANG SAYS REPORTS ARE FALSE
October 22, 2009
Copyright 2009 MediaVentures
Uniondale, N.Y. - New York Islanders owner Charles Wang says reports that he has abandoned plans to develop the Lighthouse project and renovate Nassau Coliseum are false, but they did prompt some calls from town officials indicating they were willing to speed up the process.
In a letter sent to Wang, Town Supervisor Kate Murray argued that modifying the project could resolve some of the town's environmental concerns, "making it possible for the town board to more promptly provide the certainty that you are seeking."
Wang hopes to build a $3.8-billion mixed-use development that would include a $320-million renovation to Nassau Coliseum, along with 42 buildings containing residential, retail and office space. He had set Oct. 3 as a deadline for "certainty," but has not yet received zoning approval from the town.
Wang repeated that he is awaiting a yes or no decision from the town. Wang said that he is continuing to "look at all options," which could include selling or moving the team. But he added: "My heart is still on Long Island. I love Long Island. This is where the Islanders belong. Let's play hockey."

Even your article says there was a missed deadline. If that wasn't a sign that things were turning sour, considering the outcome, I don't know what else you need?

As for Wang saying all the right things after the deadline, Bettman says all the right things too after the NHLPA misses another deadline. It doesn't mean things haven't turned sour.

[Fluffy Bunnies]

Best thing to ever happen for the Islanders. You know...aside from 4 Stanley Cups.

[sureLoss]

Barclay's center released a picture of how the hockey rink layout would look like... reaction from Isles fans has been mostly negative:



Odd sightlines and a scoreboard that is offcenter.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Barclay's center released a picture of how the hockey rink layout would look like... reaction from Isles fans has been mostly negative:

Odd sightlines and a scoreboard that is offcenter.

It doesn't look awesome but it does look better than what they have now.

[nik-]

hahaha ... oh Islanders

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Some of the seating is just weird......some seats in the corner will have a fan seated towards center ice while the person beside them is facing the blueline.

No wonder they're not happy.

[The Yen Man]

Wow, who the heck designed that arena's seating? It's horrible. People are facing different angles at random. That one corner section, you'll be looking at half side profiles of other fans seated in the section right beside you.

[valo403]

Those who aren't happy should be reminded that the view would be much worse if the team had moved to Quebec.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

Wow, who the heck designed that arena's seating? It's horrible. People are facing different angles at random. That one corner section, you'll be looking at half side profiles of other fans seated in the section right beside you.

It's designed for basketball, and is actually a great place to watch a game.

[nik-]

People in those angled seats near the corner are literally going to have to shoulder check to see like 25% of the game.