Meanwhile, Ratner Hopes the Islanders Join the Nets in Brooklyn
by Dominik on Sep 15, 2011 1:14 PM EDT
in This, That & What-Not
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PrintNot to distract you from the bigger and more pertinent news of the day (John Tavares is locked up for the next seven years no a six-year extension, with a 1 p.m. press conference), but New Jersey Nets (that's the NBA) (that's basketball) minority owner Bruce Ratner was on Bloomberg TV dropping some quotes that might catch your eye.
In a wide-ranging interview he offered some specific thoughts on whether he wants the New York Islanders in Brooklyn, where the [bank of some sort] Center is under construction:
"Well I would hope that's possible. It depends on a lot of things. It depends on whether the Islanders want to come. It depends on whether they have different choices. I think it's not that likely that a new arena be built in Nassau County with the current state of the economy. So I certainly think there's a chance."
Nets blog Nets Daily provides the background and tip on that report. You can watch the video for yourself at Bloomberg TV, with the Islanders talk beginning around the 5:00 mark.
It's often been (intentionally?) muddied whether that arena would, could and should host hockey. The majority owner has expressed zero public interest in owning a hockey team. But all of those with a vested interest in the building and its surrounding development have incentives to drum up tenants.
Ratner -- who remember, is angling for his own interests here -- said he "couldn't talk about" whether discussions have taken place with the Islanders. There were reports in August of a meeting between Ratner, CEO Brett Yormark and NHL executives about the NHL playing in the new arena, but no specifics were given.
Just remember that executives stay tight-lipped when they want to. And when they want to float something publicly in a way that publicizes or advances their own interests, they'll do that, too.
We know at minimum that Ratner is interested in an NHL tenant at that arena. Beyond that, well we know this story will resurface here and there -- at oddly timed moments -- until that arena is fully booked and the Islanders' venue after 2015 is fully clarified.
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it’s not that likely that a new arena be built in Nassau County with the current state of the economy
- Ratner
a new arena probably, but wondering if Wang has reconsidered a renovated Coliseum along the lines of his originally envisioned LH project. Maybe with some input from his friend Dolan who is already undergoing an ahead-of-schedule renovation at the Garden. Certainly Dolan would prefer to see the Isles stay in Nassau than Brooklyn. And probably has the cash to invest or finance a deal for his friend Wang to ensure the team stays out of Brooklyn?
With the Tavares extension (plus Grabner & Okposo), starting to feel like Wang has a back-up plan that the players believe in.
With renovations
Who knows, but I think any prospect like that would turn on what’s included in the lease and any other development rights.
If Wang really has local options, or satisfactory options for him, he’s probably in position to ask for a good deal if he ends up rebuilding their arena for them.
Agree that the extensions must indicate some sort of backup, or at least pledge from Wang. I can’t imagine signing on without at least having that conversation.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Renovations sounds terrible
It’s not that I don’t love the sight lines of the coliseum but it’s just so far away from modern arenas in design. Even simple things like only having 1 concourse are so out of touch, that I’m not sure renovation is really even an option.
Pr*j*ct**ns lead to long term injuries, just ask the asian guy from Inception
I’m not sure renovation is really even an option.
Renovation was the only option when Wang was trying to get the Lighthouse Project passed which went on for 6 or 7 years. The new Coliseum proposal went from mid-June to Aug 1(6 weeks).
Renovation was always the plan until 3 months ago. I don’t recall many fans claiming the original idea to renovate was terrible. As Ratner says, new is unlikely so we’re left with (or back to) renovation in Nassau. I’m talking about major renovations, a gut job. The Rangers are doing it so it might be a good idea to see how their renovations turn out and what their fans think of the improvements/drawbacks. The MSG renovation will be half over by the end of October so, by November, Ranger ticketholders will know if they like the renovated lower bowl construction.
If Wang could reach an agreement with Nassau, then maybe a season in Brooklyn while the Coli gets a major upgrade is a possibility worth exploring in order to keep the Isles in Nassau long term.
To Dom’s point:
any prospect like that would turn on what’s included in the lease and any other development rights.
I think the amended Suozzi sublease has been to Wang’s liking thus far so I would think something could be negotiated there.
Developments rights has stalled and ended every Coliseum project for 2 decades. It’s a concern for Wang but it shouldn’t be a priority for now. Work out an acceptable renovated Coliseum plan then bargain for the development rights – doing both at the same time always ends up with a failed plan that never goes beyond an artist’s sketch of what a new Coli could look like. Time to approach the problem from a different angle.
This may be just because it's the city...
The Rangers are doing it so it might be a good idea to see how their renovations turn out and what their fans think of the improvements/drawbacks.
But this is a 1 BILLION dollar renovation. It may actually be cheaper(or more cost effective at least) to build a new one.
NY Islanders, just one irrational free agent signing away from contention!
Website:Lighthouse HockeyTwitter: @KeithLHHockey
by Keith Quinn on Sep 16, 2011 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Safety Net
I am happy that we have a safety net for the Islanders just incase we can’t get something done. I also agree with Ratner that it will be difficult to get a new arena in this economy. Brooklyn would allow the Islanders to stay local and if they want they can try to get a new arena when the economy improves. In short its a better option than KC or Quebec.
by Danbury Islanders Fan on Sep 15, 2011 3:23 PM EDT reply actions
agree
This is most likely just in case the Islanders can’t get a new deal (as they have only said they won’t continue playing in Nassau without a deal in place, so if they had a deal they would continue playing in the Coliseum until they got the new Arena) and have their bluff called.
"Failing upwards! How come I can’t ever seem to do that?" - AP77 on Strang's ESPN Job
Contributor to Lighthouse Hockey not sure if I'm the Sniper or the Enforcer.
Please no.
While I agree there’s no chance an arena gets built in Nassau County, the arena in Brooklyn would be a step down for the Islanders with ess seating for hockey with bad sightlines. Not to mention I doubt the Rangers would ever support having them that closer to the Garden. If they want to move to Brooklyn, they need their own arena, otherwise it’s Queens, Suffolk, or bust.
Dolan was pretty supportive of the Nets building the arena in Brooklyn...
…so he might not be entirely against the Islanders moving there either
On top of that
He may not have much of a say. At least not formally. Behind the scenes could be a different matter.
However, considering MSG is always a hot (and lucrative) ticket, might he gain from the intensity of hockey in/nearer the city growing? Might better revenues (if possible) for the Isles in Brooklyn be better for Dolan’s bottom line, in terms of league-wide HRR? Just thinking out loud.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
What hte rangers say is irrelevant
And once again, Brooklyn is a step up for the simple reason of MASS TRANSIT. The loss of Suffolk fans is insignificant (Brooklyn new fans and people who can now get to the game from Manhattan will easily make up for it), and its not like Suffolk fans would stop being Isles fans (still watch on TV).
In addition, by being in NYC proper, Media coverage would pick up. It’s a no lose. The sightlines are an issue. But otherwise it’s near perfect.
Writer at Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times
Pitchf/x enthusiast.
Let's be honest.
Suffolk fans will attend games in Brooklyn regardless of the few who yell “I’ll never go see the Isles again!”
Hunter said he was just finishing his check.
by Turgeon1992 on Sep 15, 2011 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don't get the ...
assumption that the sight lines in The Barc are bad.
I live down the block and from what I see the seats aren’t in yet.
The sightlines in the Coliseum are awesome, and no new arena will be that good, but how does everyone know how they will be in The Barc? Someone tell me what I’m missing please.
Suffolk Fans will come to Brooklyn...
Hey, long time reader, first time poster,
I live Wayyyy out in Suffolk and I takes me less time to take the train into Jamaica station then it does to drive to, and then get into ( this is the hard part ) the NVMC. I go to 5-10 games a year and would be ecstatic to see the team play in brooklyn. Heck the third jersey should be the classic Cup era jersey with the text " Brooklyn" across the front.
I am convinced that the main reason the MSG is always full is not the endless passion of Rags fans, but the fact that anyone in the tri-state area are only a 40 min train ride away from MSG.
And how awesome would a parade down Flatbush ave. be??
by JimFromStJames on Sep 16, 2011 1:16 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I hope the 3 guys ..
that matter read this.
Certainly they already know what a gold mine The Barc could be for the Brooklyn Islanders, but hearing this from someone way way out there can’t help but reinforce it.
Nice...
And welcome/thanks for joining and posting, Jim!
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
It Just makes sense...
Anyone who drives around the Island would know that the biggest obstacle is travel, there is no easy way to get to a game in 6pm traffic. ( plus there is always the problem if Boozin at games and driving home, i could walk home from the local train station )
Only problem is the Barclay was design for B ball, a rink is about 100 or so ft longer that a court. The building is in sections that meet at an angle, as opposed to the “bowl” design of NVMC and MSG, so if you at the edge of a section near the corners, you won’t be able to see corners of the rink.
Oh and I wanted to say..
It is so nice to talk hockey and never read the work “SUCK”, awesome site nic.
by JimFromStJames on Sep 16, 2011 2:48 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Rangers suck!
Hey, it’s not always bad.
Official choice of Lighthouse Dog #1.
by Fabtraption on Sep 16, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
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1979-80
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May 24, 1980: Tonelli to Nystrom. At long last, the steady build of the New York Islanders from expansion doormat to surprise semifinalist to annual contender reaches the promised land: Buoyed by a late season trade for Butch Goring that gave the team the depth up the middle GM Bill Torrey had been seeking, the Islanders knock off the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
The victory justified the faith in coach Al Arbour who guided them from their second season to their first Stanley Cup seven seasons later. The Islanders would not be the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, but they would be the only one capable of a dynasty.
1980-81
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May 21, 1981: This time it was much easier. After falling to "only" 91 points in the 1979-80 season, the Islanders returned to their division title tradition, piling up 110 points -- a whole 13 points over second-place Philadelphia.
Between the quarterfinals (where they beat the upstart Oilers in six games) and the finals, the Islanders reeled off eight consecutive wins -- with a four-game sweep of archrival Rangers in between. As they defeated the Minnesota North Stars in five games for their second Cup, their goal difference in the final was a combined +10.
1981-82
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May 16, 1982: Another year, another landslide title. The Islanders won the Patrick Division by a whopping 26 points over the second-place Rangers, and were seven points clear of their nearest competition for the President's Trophy, the still-not-quite-ripe Edmonton Oilers.
A first-round scare against the Pittsburgh Penguins turned in the Isles' favor thanks to John Tonelli's heroics, and a true dynasty was on its way: Past the Rangers in six games, then an eight-game sweep of the Quebec Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks to run away with the Stanley Cup.
1982-83
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May 17, 1983: Not so fast, whipper-snappers. The Edmonton Oilers' steadily rising challenge for league supremacy took them all the way to the finals for the first time, where the New York Islanders summarily dispatched them in a four-game sweep. For the Islanders, the Dynasty was secured. For the Oilers, it was a powerful lesson in where talent ends and the demands of playoff hockey begin.
Four years, four Cups, 16 consecutive playoff series wins (a record that would grow to 19 until the rematch with the Oilers the following year). Mike Bossy scored 60 goals yet again, and Wayne Gretzky became acquainted with Billy Smith's crease.
