Early reports leaked after the New York Islanders and Barclays Center press conference was announced, lent credibility that today would be the day the once mighty franchise would take a step back to prominence. It was rumored that Charles Wang and his floundering Isles would finally get to escape the aging and dilapidated NVMC and sign a 25 year deal to play in the state-of-the-art Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York by the 2015 season. Per Isles news release, "In support of the illustrious history of the team, New York Islanders name and logo will remain unchanged," at the “insistence of the NHL offices" B.D. Gallof points out, “There is an 1986 amendment to the 1972 agreement that allows the Isles to relocate to Queens & Brooklyn (per NY Times circa 2010), and the Islanders move to Brooklyn does not require Board of Governors approval because they are moving within their territory, per Dan Rosen.
This was the greatest news a long-suffering fan base could hear. Well, it could have been topped with the Islanders buying out of their existing lease to move out of Nassau County sooner. Now I understand the being a little saddened at leaving the old barn, but it was a move wrought out of necessity. The mega announcement coming only days after Nassau County’s Ed Mangano said he would have a press conference to announce the plans for the new Hub project and his plan to keep the Islanders at the NVMC site. Mangano’s press conference was cancelled after yesterday’s tragic shooting, per Randi Marshall.
Kate Murray and Nassau County politics blocked Management each time there looked to be hope and the fan base just grew more and more frustrated. Since being voted down (for only a .26/week tax increase) again in the final push on last year's August 1st Referendum, the Isles hopes for a new, competitive arena was just not happening. Now, new business, more jobs and a boost to local economy will happen in Brooklyn in the form of 840 construction jobs and 2,000 event-day jobs, not in a near-bankrupt Nassau County. The Islanders will be leaving in 2015. Lets wait and see what the millions of dollars lost with their departure will do to the county and how it will affect local businesses that relied on the NVMC and the Isles season. Islander broadcasting legend, Jiggs McDonald had this to say on his Facebook account, "What a dark day for Nassau County NY politicians & residents....NHL history is yours, again. The first Stanley Cup winning franchise in the history of the NHL to move. Shame on you!!!!"
Let me start by sending my thanks to Charles Wang for staying the course and keeping the Islanders in N.Y. For whatever you think about him or his hockey decisions, especially early on in his ownership of the Isles, Mr. Wang is THE ONLY reason why the Islanders will be remaining in New York, and just a short 30 miles from where they were born and still on Long Island. Not Quebec, Kansas City, Seattle or anywhere else. They will remain in New York where they belong and the greatest fan base in all of sports can continue cheering for them and be there to witness their rise to relevance and excellence once again. I am sure that due to proximity, you will see more orange & blue jerseys in MSG for Isles-Ranger games. When Charles Wang was asked if the Islanders could somehow get out of the lease with NVMC, he said, he will honor the lease, but anything can happen. Wang went on to say he would still be involved with the development of Nassau’s hub. He still owns the Marriot Hotel across the concourse from the Coliseum.
Guest speaker, Mayor Bloomberg had this to say, "It's a great day for our city. Who said the rivalry between Rangers and Islanders couldn't get any bigger? It just did." He went on, “This is the perfect home for the storied New York franchise... we welcome them with open arms." Mayor Bloomberg went on to present two MTA cards for Charles Wang and Garth Snow to get to The Canyon of Heroes for a future Stanley Cup Parade.
"We can finally say to Islanders fans: you don't have to worry about the future of your hockey team." - Gary Bettman
GM Garth Snow had this to say about the 14,500 seat arena, "Barclays Center gives us a state-of-the-art facility that the players will feel proud to call home." It was also reported that the facility would add 500+ seats to retrofit the arena for NHL hockey.
Fellow Isles writer, Anthony Stabile makes a great point, that among the things Isles fans can now look forward to: All Star Game, NHL Draft and the ability to walk the concourse w/out someone bumping into you.
We are all Islanders.
Enjoy the day fans. You have all earned it.
Isles Notes:
Darren Rovell, “120 credentials were issued for the Islanders press conference today in Brooklyn, a team record for a press conference.”
Per Chris Botta, “All we could ever want for Isles: 1) stay in NY 2) first-class barn 3) no excuses, level playing field to compete. Accomplished.”
Chris Creamer mentions, “NY Islanders new arena deal puts them in Brooklyn until 2040-41 season - which is also 100th anniversary of the NHL's Brooklyn Americans.”
Per NHLhistorygirl, “On this date in 1988, Isles Mike Bossy retired.”
NHL Notes:
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