It's incredible how someone so proud would run a team the way he does.
- Cptmjl

We can talk about the problems with the building and county all day but the facts are Wang has done a lousy job running this team. Wang has caused many of his own problems.

Well IDK if that's true or accurate but I did read the same thing. A lot of these numbers are bogus. With that said if it is indeed true anyone who brought this team should've understood they would be losing money till the lease with SMG was done, period.
- Cptmjl

SMG should have altered the deal years ago, but they had not motivation to do so at the time. It's the same SMG that nearly sent both Buffalo and Pittsburgh into oblivion. A company who was started by Flyers owner Ed Snider (and he still owns a large portion of it). Just throwing out my conspiracy theory of the day out there....

SMG should have altered the deal years ago, but they had not motivation to do so at the time. It's the same SMG that nearly sent both Buffalo and Pittsburgh into oblivion. A company who was started by Flyers owner Ed Snider (and he still owns a large portion of it). Just throwing out my conspiracy theory of the day out there....
- keaner17

Were'nt there some alterations with concessions and parking or that end expired? I can't remember? Why any of these teams signed on for this lease with SMG is beyond me?

Guy is the great American hero
- Cptmjl

Like GI JOE. IS HE GI WANG???

Were'nt there some alterations with concessions and parking or that end expired? I can't remember? How any of these teams signed on for this lease with SMG is beyond me?
- Cptmjl

Well, in 1985, the weight of finance and where NHL teams made their money was vastly different from the late 1990's. SMG is a juggernaut. I believe they also spun off Aramark which of course is one of the biggest food venders in the country at stadiums etc. They also are a sister company to Comcast, which Snider started. The alterations allowed Charles to start making money on parking and concessions (though he gets taxed heavily by the county and state on that). It definitely made things 'better', but that $16 million annual loss is based on Forbe's valuation as of last year (and yes it includes the cable deal). He needs full concessions rights AND a bigger share of gate prices.

As I've mentioned in the past, my dislike for Wang as our owner stems more from his insistance on installing a certain G rated culture to the team. From a finance perspective, he's done what he can. I think he'll be a very different owner once we hit Barclays....at least I hope..

Well, in 1985, the weight of finance and where NHL teams made their money was vastly different from the late 1990's. SMG is a juggernaut. I believe they also spun off Aramark which of course is one of the biggest food venders in the country at stadiums etc. They also are a sister company to Comcast, which Snider started. The alterations allowed Charles to start making money on parking and concessions (though he gets taxed heavily by the county and state on that). It definitely made things 'better', but that $16 million annual loss is based on Forbe's valuation as of last year (and yes it includes the cable deal). He needs full concessions rights AND a bigger share of gate prices.

As I've mentioned in the past, my dislike for Wang as our owner stems more from his insistance on installing a certain G rated culture to the team. From a finance perspective, he's done what he can. I think he'll be a very different owner once we hit Barclays....at least I hope..
- keaner17

I wish I could agree but I don't. I think we will see more of the same from him and his little b!tch.

I wish I could agree but I don't. I think we will see more of the same from him and his little b!tch.
- Cptmjl

One thing is for sure the excuses will be out the window in Brooklyn. There will be no excuse not to have a top GM and coach and a bigger payroll. All Wang had to do with hire a proven GM and let that GM run the show. He did not need a huge payroll and Wang managed to screw that up. He gets no sympathy from me.

I wish I could agree but I don't. I think we will see more of the same from him and his little b!tch.
- Cptmjl

Tough to say. Given the financial data that's been published (and I trust Forbes), I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. It certainly gives you an idea of the totally crappy playing field Snow has. No GM in hockey has faced quite the load of crap he faces. So I'm very interested in seeing what they do once all of the 'excuses' are gone. If it's more of the same, then I don't understand why he didn't just claim bankruptcy for the team years ago. I think he's being a typical businessman and trying to weather the storm until it's profitable. We'll see.....Either way, the team has more talent now than it has in a while (I'm counting our prospects) so hopefully we get better in spite of him/them.

One thing is for sure the excuses will be out the window in Brooklyn. There will be no excuse not to have a top GM and coach and a bigger payroll.
- ses111

Yes there is one excuse and his name is CHARLES WANG

Yes there is one excuse and his name is CHARLES WANG
- kasperrko

I hope the Nets people let it be known they will not put up with a minor league operation in Brooklyn. Prokhorov might slap Wang if he tries any of his minor league ways.

Yes there is one excuse and his name is CHARLES WANG
- kasperrko

I guess my question is, how did most feel about Wang here prior to the rebuild? I think feelings were generally mixed as he's obviously made a bunch of unorthodox decisions, but most were grateful to have a guy willing to sustain financial losses for the survival of the team. As an owner, pre rebuild, he was willing to spend and had decent enthusiasm. I'd gladly take that guy back assuming he's learned some lessons over the years and is willing to open the purse strings back up.

As for Snow, operating on a dollar-a-day budget, he's done all I could ask (though screwups like PA are hard to forgive). I'm definitely interested in seeing what he could do with a $65 million payroll.

One thing is for sure the excuses will be out the window in Brooklyn. There will be no excuse not to have a top GM and coach and a bigger payroll. All Wang had to do with hire a proven GM and let that GM run the show. He did not need a huge payroll and Wang managed to screw that up. He gets no sympathy from me.
- ses111

As far as I'm concerned their excuses were crap to begin with.

I hope the Nets people let it be known they will not put up with a minor league operation in Brooklyn. Prokhorov might slap Wang if he tries any of his minor league ways.
- ses111

Could be the beginning of WW3 China verse Russia

As far as I'm concerned their excuses were crap to begin with.
- Cptmjl

The only excuse I gave Wang was for not having a higher payroll. No excuse for not having a better GM and coach and for accepting losing. When you go on TV and say the GM and Coach did a great job after the team missed the playoffs you lose any creditibilty.

I guess my question is, how did most feel about Wang here prior to the rebuild? I think feelings were generally mixed as he's obviously made a bunch of unorthodox decisions, but most were grateful to have a guy willing to sustain financial losses for the survival of the team. As an owner, pre rebuild, he was willing to spend and had decent enthusiasm. I'd gladly take that guy back assuming he's learned some lessons over the years and is willing to open the purse strings back up.

As for Snow, operating on a dollar-a-day budget, he's done all I could ask (though screwups like PA are hard to forgive). I'm definitely interested in seeing what he could do with a $65 million payroll.
- keaner17

Seriously I think Snow has what it takes to be a GM. He is to proud in this team that "he" made here. I dont think he wants to get rid of any of his children. this whole Boston connection is out of control too. Seriously once he is let go no other team is going to hire him as a GM ever. Same thing goes with JAck. Once he is gone he will never be a head coach again

The only excuse I gave Wang was for not having a higher payroll. No excuse for not having a better GM and coach and for accepting losing. When you go on TV and say the GM and Coach did a great job after the team missed the playoffs you lose any creditibilty.
- ses111

Ted Nolan was the last coach to get this team in the playoffs. A true NHL coach

Could be the beginning of WW3 China verse Russia
- kasperrko

Prokhorov will show Wang his own version of hostile takeover.

One thing is for sure the excuses will be out the window in Brooklyn. There will be no excuse not to have a top GM and coach and a bigger payroll. All Wang had to do with hire a proven GM and let that GM run the show. He did not need a huge payroll and Wang managed to screw that up. He gets no sympathy from me.
- ses111

One thing that should be hard for ANYONE to argue, IF the Islanders continue to improve and slip into the playoffs this year and sustain that success into next season, then Wang tells folks "We've made it, it's time to challenge for a Stanley Cup" and follows that up with spending for necessary roster improvements going int the innaugural season at Barclays, the whole of his ownership will be seen as a guy who bought the team during it's darkest period, sustained it through unfathomable losses and returned it to prominance. From that standpoint, it will be hard to argue, despite his oddball choices, that he wasn't a good owner.

That's a lot of If's, but we're half way there.
It wouldn't be far-fetched to say this team shouldn't even exist after enduring a lease like that. If Buffalo and Pittsburgh had to live out the full life of their leases, they may very well not be here today.

One thing that should be hard for ANYONE to argue, IF the Islanders continue to improve and slip into the playoffs this year and sustain that success into next season, then Wang tells folks "We've made it, it's time to challenge for a Stanley Cup" and follows that up with spending for necessary roster improvements going int the innaugural season at Barclays, the whole of his ownership will be seen as a guy who bought the team during it's darkest period, sustained it through unfathomable losses and returned it to prominance. From that standpoint, it will be hard to argue, despite his oddball choices, that he wasn't a good owner.

That's a lot of If's, but we're half way there.
It wouldn't be far-fetched to say this team shouldn't even exist after enduring a lease like that. If Buffalo and Pittsburgh had to live out the full life of their leases, they may very well not be here today.
- keaner17

Problem is if we get into playoffs we will have the same set of characters next year as this year. Wang will think since we did it once in a short season taht these guys are good enough tomake it year after year and no changes will be made

I dont know but I want the Rangers in the playoffs. I have this weird feeling that if they miss the playoffs they will end up with the number one pick in the draft. The NHL likes to fix things as we all know with my Penguins

Seriously I think Snow has what it takes to be a GM. He is to proud in this team that "he" made here. I dont think he wants to get rid of any of his children. this whole Boston connection is out of control too. Seriously once he is let go no other team is going to hire him as a GM ever. Same thing goes with JAck. Once he is gone he will never be a head coach again
- kasperrko

For the first bolded comment: I don't expect Snow to trash his team. In such a negative circumstance, I think in his eyes "it is what it is". So I don't know how 'proud' he really is. It's just like being a manager of a store. You may know the place is crap, but you're not going to tell the customers that.

As for the second. You're probably right. That said, if this team slips into the playoffs this year and shows signs of further improvement next year, his resume suddenly looks a lot better given what other owners know about the Isles situation.

Ted Nolan was the last coach to get this team in the playoffs. A true NHL coach
- kasperrko

He's got serious issues!!!

Ek says the Wild want KO!!!

KO for a first... done!!!

One thing that should be hard for ANYONE to argue, IF the Islanders continue to improve and slip into the playoffs this year and sustain that success into next season, then Wang tells folks "We've made it, it's time to challenge for a Stanley Cup" and follows that up with spending for necessary roster improvements going int the innaugural season at Barclays, the whole of his ownership will be seen as a guy who bought the team during it's darkest period, sustained it through unfathomable losses and returned it to prominance. From that standpoint, it will be hard to argue, despite his oddball choices, that he wasn't a good owner.

That's a lot of If's, but we're half way there.
It wouldn't be far-fetched to say this team shouldn't even exist after enduring a lease like that. If Buffalo and Pittsburgh had to live out the full life of their leases, they may very well not be here today.
- keaner17

I've said it before let Wang and Snow show me something at the deadline and this offseason. Wang does have a chance to look like the hero but will he take it? This waiting for Brooklyn is nonsense. It has to start now. There should be moves to be made now and that are not just trades but callups from Bridge. Show the fans you want to win now.

The only excuse I gave Wang was for not having a higher payroll. No excuse for not having a better GM and coach and for accepting losing. When you go on TV and say the GM and Coach did a great job after the team missed the playoffs you lose any creditibilty.
- ses111

The excuses from these two became tiring about five years ago. Hiring inept people to fill important positions in your buisness is stupid. Plain and simple. To say they are doing a fabulous job is insulting the fans, the person who is interviewing you, everyone's intelligence. The very staff that you hired has not met their own expectations annually yet they are doing a good job. They're not doing a good job according to themselves even . It's a circus, if Wang and Snow came out one day and said we can't get players, trades, whatever, because it's a circus here I'd have more respect for them. Admitting to the problem is the first step