This is an archived version of a Field of Schemes article. Comments on this page are closed. To find the current version of the article with updated comments, click here.
November 13, 2008
Bettman: Money, shmoney, just approve Islanders arena
NHL chief Gary Bettman was hard at work at a sports commissioner's most important job this week: shaking down local governments for arena deals. In this case, it was New York Islanders owner Charles Wang's "Lighthouse Project," which would include a renovated Nassau Coliseum, housing, and a really bad light-rock theme song, though no longer an actual lighthouse.
Bettman told town of Hempstead officials that they should approve the plan despite the fact that Wang hasn't lined up financing for the project: "My guess is they'll get the financing. But let's get the approvals done so they can move forward. For anyone to suggest, 'We're not going to do the approvals; we're going to wait for the financing,' it doesn't work that way. Let's give them the green light, and I'm sure they'll do everything that needs to be done to get it accomplished."
Because that's worked so well everywhere else it's been tried.
That is the worst song I have ever heard. I missed everything else in the post after I clicked on that link.
Posted by Mase on November 13, 2008 03:21 PM
I hate to say it, but as an Islander fan, the only hope to keeping the team in New York, will be if Atlantic Yards opens, and the team moves to Brooklyn. The other possibilities include Kansas City, Canada, and consolidation.
I honestly believe the NHL and NBA, are so far behind the NFL, Baseball & College Football & Basketball it is not even funny. This is particularly true in an area like New York, where it is Yankees, Mets, and then everyone else. The NHL,is in far worse shape, essentially turning into Tennis, where the sport died in the United States and no one cared. That is how far it has sunk.
If the Islanders would move, or go out of business, very few would even care. Even as an Islander fan, it hurts me to have to admit to the fact, they they are behind the Yankees, Steelers, and Penn State College Football, in my interest level (And this is from a fan). I think the end is coming soon (Perhaps even the end of the season).
The team will be moving to suffolk county. Thats where they are headed.
Posted by Dan on November 14, 2008 04:34 PM
Suffolk County, eh, Dan? When I think of an Islanders crowd, the first place I think of is The Hamptons. They'll sell out every night, and Islanders games will soon be where the in crowd hangs out!
Or not.
Posted by LeftWingCracker on November 17, 2008 08:22 PM