We've felt like a bush league organization for many years now, with the worst dump of an arena, we've lost free agents due to uncertainty of the franchise beyond 2015. We've heard the Kansas City and Quebec chants from those moronic goons (Ranger's fans). We've gone through unfavorable votes about the Isle's future. I'm not saying everything will change overnight, and I'm still feeling a bit sketchy about our ownership. BUT, we have a REAL team now, a REAL franchise, A REAL brand new arena (for 25 years of stability !). It won't change over night, but the laughing stock of the NHL will hear less laughter, this is a proud moment for this franchise, a moment we should all be proud to be Islander's fans. We've stood by our team for years, and today we were rewarded. Congrats ladies and gents, we have a real team now, no longer a bush league team.
Slow down, all we have is a new arena that's less than ideal for hockey. Actual payroll is still below the cap floor and we still have cast off's on our team and are surrounded by if's. We still don't have a legitimate front office and coach. The only thing that's changed is that we know we will suck in the NY area for another 25 years. I will reserve judgement until 2015 when we see the roster and front office.
We've felt like a bush league organization for many years now, with the worst dump of an arena, we've lost free agents due to uncertainty of the franchise beyond 2015. We've heard the Kansas City and Quebec chants from those moronic goons (Ranger's fans). We've gone through unfavorable votes about the Isle's future. I'm not saying everything will change overnight, and I'm still feeling a bit sketchy about our ownership. BUT, we have a REAL team now, a REAL franchise, A REAL brand new arena (for 25 years of stability !). It won't change over night, but the laughing stock of the NHL will hear less laughter, this is a proud moment for this franchise, a moment we should all be proud to be Islander's fans. We've stood by our team for years, and today we were rewarded. Congrats ladies and gents, we have a real team now, no longer a bush league team.
Slow down, all we have is a new arena that's less than ideal for hockey. Actual payroll is still below the cap floor and we still have cast off's on our team and are surrounded by if's. We still don't have a legitimate front office and coach. The only thing that's changed is that we know we will suck in the NY area for another 25 years. I will reserve judgement until 2015 when we see the roster and front office.
today was a big step, but we have a ways to go.
wang needs to spend some $ and snow needs to be put under pressure to fill the holes in this team and i say if he doesnt have us in the playoffs, convincingly by our last season on long island, he should go
If you notice, I mentioned 2 things, It won't change over night, and I still feel sketchy about our owner. BUT, the situation about the arena, is something we should be proud of. It's something that should give Islander's fans a lot of hope. I did mention in the main thread, that I think we will suck for the last 3 years in Nassau Coliseum, because I don't think Wang opens up the purse strings UNTIL the inaugural season at our new arena. So my happiness is that of a level headed realist, but the arena issue, I'm ecstatic, it's no longe an issue that has hung over the heads of this franchise like an executioner with an axe.
Fans of this team are so used to things going wrong or being bad that ive seen so many comments complaining about the move. Its kind of sickening that some people cant see the good in this...the GREAT in this. But, you cant change how people think. Yea, its just an arena, but i see this changing the way things work out in the near future.
I find it hard to believe that in an arena that's not really suited for hockey, that the Islanders' lease is "iron clad" with no out clause.
You mean to tell me if Nassau ever gets their act together and gets this HUB project off the ground with a brand new arena that seats 18,000 or more, the Isles won't go back?
I find it hard to believe that in an arena that's not really suited for hockey, that the Islanders' lease is "iron clad" with no out clause.
You mean to tell me if Nassau ever gets their act together and gets this HUB project off the ground with a brand new arena that seats 18,000 or more, the Isles won't go back?
An "out clause" would not be surprising. But in a long term lease, out clauses usually carry steep penalties that are obviously meant to discourage using them. No negotiator is going to make an out-clause easy to use in a long-term contract. If the arena is making alterations for the Isles, they'd sure as heck want assurances that the Islanders will be there for the long haul.
An "out clause" would not be surprising. But in a long term lease, out clauses usually carry steep penalties that are obviously meant to discourage using them. No negotiator is going to make an out-clause easy to use in a long-term contract. If the arena is making alterations for the Isles, they'd sure as heck want assurances that the Islanders will be there for the long haul.
is there any disclosure of the guys with the money making the building longer to accommodate hockey?
Or will every game start with Big Bird on the jumbotron reminding people tonight's game "is brought to you by the letter 'U'"?
is there any disclosure of the guys with the money making the building longer to accommodate hockey?
Or will every game start with Big Bird on the jumbotron reminding people tonight's game "is brought to you by the letter 'U'"?
Even without any alterations, it's highly unlikely that an out clause would be easy to use. Nobody hires a negotiator to hammer out a deal letting the other side off the hook easy. Such incompetence might be expected from the Islanders negotiators, but I would expect more from Barclays.
Maybe......and this is maybe like maybe Rosie O'Donnel will be in a Playboy centerfold, but maybe if the team has an out clause worked in to pressure Nassau government in the next few years, maybe this 14,500 seat horse shoe idea makes sense.
As in, the Isles are free to vacate the lease agreement prior to 2015 if Nassau citizens revolt and have the Dems, GOP and Piggy guillotined (politically speaking) and get the resolution passed to have the bigger and better located arena remodeled or replaced?
The 25 year lease begins in 2015. The pressure is 100% on now, and you have one chance left to rectify this while this news allows for the businesses and affected parties in Nassau to voice their concerns over tens of millions of dollars leaving Nassau, the taxes going up more and eventual loss of many, many residents who will not put up with this.
If this were a gameplan, genius. The team is able to stay in NY while shooting a burning arrow into the ass of the inept County government. "You have two years to get your **** straight and get us a new arena!"
But Rosie O'Donnel will not be baring her body in print. And the Nassau County government will just have to answer to their inept governance when residents vacate the tax haven. Police, teachers and government workers will be laid off and move. Home prices will eventually drop significantly. Businesses will further go down, and tax collections drop even further. Nice working with ya, County of Nassau. You killed Long Island.
Possibly long term, possibly for good. Which big employer leaves next?
Maybe......and this is maybe like maybe Rosie O'Donnel will be in a Playboy centerfold, but maybe if the team has an out clause worked in to pressure....
Thanks for the visual (pukes.) Now I need to apply rubbing alcohol honey and army ants to my subconscious to remove the image.
I have the same gnawing thought. 15K seating max... Can they retrofit even more into Barclays? One of the posters on here several months ago suggested it could be done.
Thanks for the visual (pukes.) Now I need to apply rubbing alcohol honey and army ants to my subconscious to remove the image.
I have the same gnawing thought. 15K seating max... Can they retrofit even more into Barclays? One of the posters on here several months ago suggested it could be done.
I went through what it would take....blowing out the end wall, extending the side walls, retrofitting an extension and matching everything, new steel structure going in throughout the end, putting in new concrete footings for the foundation, new concrete for the shell, new seats, new interior for the concourse, new plumbing and electric install......and all this AFTER they get the rights to the existing properties in the way.
I doubt it happens. The building was extremely costly....the retrofit will cost even more, potentially, and this is with it ALREADY OPEN FOR BUSINESS.
I doubt it will ever be addressed.....so enjoy the horseshoe. Or hope a Russian billionaire wants to spend MAJOR money to have 24/7 crews make it work for our last place team. (maybe if he buys the team it gets done, in other words)
on wfan earlier today, wang said that it is possible for them to add another 1,000 seats for hockey on the dead side, keeping in mind those are severely restricted view if they choose to add them (say hello to the new loudville?)
