They certainly do. But until Snow is gone........
- vancity787

We'll trade you Capuano and pay the bertuzzi settlement for a 7th round pick

and for isles fans and barroway, the following image...

Very interesting development.

Do the new owners have any history of real estate development?

The Islanders being a tenant in Brooklyn is a bit of anomaly in the pro sports world. No way of telling what the lease is like without actually seeing it, but my edumacated guess is that it isn't as good for the Islanders as some people think.

For that reason, I can't help but think that the Wanger negotiated some sort of out clause on the Barclays Centre.

With the precedent set of the Islanders now playing in New York City, if the new owners can hoodwink taxpayers into giving them a new arena, the $$$ will be well worth the investment.

This will be interesting to watch.

But the good news for Islanders fans is now that they are in New York City, there isn't a "greener pasture" elsewhere. Relocation doesn't make sense from a financial standpoint. NYC is where you want to be.

Interesting times.

Darryl Belfry is the guy that trains Tavares among other superstars..Crosby, MacKinnon etc.. (and Okposo)
- eichiefs9

Belfry was training Tavares in St. Catharines @ Ridley College.

My buddy works there... seen him training.

Wouldn't let me come down with my son to see him...

Very interesting development.

Do the new owners have any history of real estate development?

The Islanders being a tenant in Brooklyn is a bit of anomaly in the pro sports world. No way of telling what the lease is like without actually seeing it, but my edumacated guess is that it isn't as good for the Islanders as some people think.

For that reason, I can't help but think that the Wanger negotiated some sort of out clause on the Barclays Centre.

With the precedent set of the Islanders now playing in New York City, if the new owners can hoodwink taxpayers into giving them a new arena, the $$$ will be well worth the investment.

This will be interesting to watch.

But the good news for Islanders fans is now that they are in New York City, there isn't a "greener pasture" elsewhere. Relocation doesn't make sense from a financial standpoint. NYC is where you want to be.

Interesting times.
- Atomic Wedgie

They already tried the hoodwinking trick by holding a referendum in the middle of the summer. It fell flat on its face. No one is going to get Nassau County taxpayers to agree to spend one cent more in taxes on anything, let alone an arena to house a team that most of them don't care about.

I'm so happy right now I could cry

They already tried the hoodwinking trick by holding a referendum in the middle of the summer. It fell flat on its face. No one is going to get Nassau County taxpayers to agree to spend one cent more in taxes on anything, let alone an arena to house a team that most of them don't care about.
- PeteM

Screw Nassau County.

I'm thinking NYC.

Although I wouldn't count out Nassau. 2-3 years of no Islanders may lead them to some incredibly stupid decisions.

I get the feeling there are many more chapters to be written.

Very interesting development.

Do the new owners have any history of real estate development?

The Islanders being a tenant in Brooklyn is a bit of anomaly in the pro sports world. No way of telling what the lease is like without actually seeing it, but my edumacated guess is that it isn't as good for the Islanders as some people think.

For that reason, I can't help but think that the Wanger negotiated some sort of out clause on the Barclays Centre.

With the precedent set of the Islanders now playing in New York City, if the new owners can hoodwink taxpayers into giving them a new arena, the $$$ will be well worth the investment.

This will be interesting to watch.

But the good news for Islanders fans is now that they are in New York City, there isn't a "greener pasture" elsewhere. Relocation doesn't make sense from a financial standpoint. NYC is where you want to be.

Interesting times.
- Atomic Wedgie

The lease is actually better than you think, from what I've heard, because the only way that guaranteed income can decrease is if the attendance is crap....which means they're basically forced to "try" to have on ice success, so the building will be as full as possible.

I'm so happy right now I could cry
- The Iceman

Me too. I thought my friends were playing a joke on Facebook today. Wang finally did it. Congrats to all Isles fans that stuck with it for all these years. Happy days ahead

Screw Nassau County.

I'm thinking NYC.

Although I wouldn't count out Nassau. 2-3 years of no Islanders may lead them to some incredibly stupid decisions.

I get the feeling there are many more chapters to be written.
- Atomic Wedgie

Brooklyn is just fine

XxNYIxX

Interview with Howie Rose

http://media.ccomrcdn.com...CAST_TITLE=WOR-AM_Podcast

Very interesting development.

Do the new owners have any history of real estate development?

The Islanders being a tenant in Brooklyn is a bit of anomaly in the pro sports world. No way of telling what the lease is like without actually seeing it, but my edumacated guess is that it isn't as good for the Islanders as some people think.

For that reason, I can't help but think that the Wanger negotiated some sort of out clause on the Barclays Centre.

With the precedent set of the Islanders now playing in New York City, if the new owners can hoodwink taxpayers into giving them a new arena, the $$$ will be well worth the investment.

This will be interesting to watch.

But the good news for Islanders fans is now that they are in New York City, there isn't a "greener pasture" elsewhere. Relocation doesn't make sense from a financial standpoint. NYC is where you want to be.

Interesting times.
- Atomic Wedgie

Huh

Isn't it just like the isles to be sold, but with a catch. Wang being majority owner for the next two years just outright spoils this. What's the point of that??? If you're done then be done. To me, it's a conflict of interest. If you're selling then sell the majority stake so the team can move forward. I feel like Wang just sold his house but is gonna still live there for a few years. It's ridiculous.

On a different note, anyone who praises wang for "keeping the team on Long Island" is absurd. This guy knew he was gonna sell this year to pay back the 120 shmill owed to Bank of America, yet he signed a 25 year lease in Brooklyn???

Isn't it just like the isles to be sold, but with a catch. Wang being majority owner for the next two years just outright spoils this. What's the point of that??? If you're done then be done. To me, it's a conflict of interest. If you're selling then sell the majority stake so the team can move forward. I feel like Wang just sold his house but is gonna still live there for a few years. It's ridiculous.

On a different note, anyone who praises wang for "keeping the team on Long Island" is absurd. This guy knew he was gonna sell this year to pay back the 120 shmill owed to Bank of America, yet he signed a 25 year lease in Brooklyn???
- kindlyrick

I knew it wouldn't be long before the wet blanket showed up. Why don't we wait for the specifics of the deal to be released before bashing it? It is highly likely that even though Wang will still hold a majority stake for the next 2 years (and it is only 2 years, a drop in the bucket compared to the years of misery we've suffered) that the new owners will have a good deal of control over the operations. These new owners didn't make millions being stupid. And as far as the lease goes it seems to me that the stability it brings would add value to the team, not detract from it.

Isn't it just like the isles to be sold, but with a catch. Wang being majority owner for the next two years just outright spoils this. What's the point of that??? If you're done then be done. To me, it's a conflict of interest. If you're selling then sell the majority stake so the team can move forward. I feel like Wang just sold his house but is gonna still live there for a few years. It's ridiculous.

On a different note, anyone who praises wang for "keeping the team on Long Island" is absurd. This guy knew he was gonna sell this year to pay back the 120 shmill owed to Bank of America, yet he signed a 25 year lease in Brooklyn???
- kindlyrick

He knew he was going to sell this year, SO he signed a lease in Brooklyn, in order to make his asset more attractive, since Nassau County and Hempstead had no interest in helping him with that. If Nassau County had given Wang the deal he got in Brooklyn, his team would still be playing its home games in Uniondale.

I knew it wouldn't be long before the wet blanket showed up. Why don't we wait for the specifics of the deal to be released before bashing it? It is highly likely that even though Wang will still hold a majority stake for the next 2 years (and it is only 2 years, a drop in the bucket compared to the years of misery we've suffered) that the new owners will have a good deal of control over the operations. These new owners didn't make millions being stupid. And as far as the lease goes it seems to me that the stability it brings would add value to the team, not detract from it.
- PeteM

The common theme among those on the other side of the argument is that he "stole their team" and moved it to Brooklyn. If they wanted "their" team so badly, they should have fought for something to be done in Nassau or Suffolk counties to accommodate that, instead of whining about it after the fact, when it's too late.

Isn't it just like the isles to be sold, but with a catch. Wang being majority owner for the next two years just outright spoils this. What's the point of that??? If you're done then be done. To me, it's a conflict of interest. If you're selling then sell the majority stake so the team can move forward. I feel like Wang just sold his house but is gonna still live there for a few years. It's ridiculous.

On a different note, anyone who praises wang for "keeping the team on Long Island" is absurd. This guy knew he was gonna sell this year to pay back the 120 shmill owed to Bank of America, yet he signed a 25 year lease in Brooklyn???
- kindlyrick

Bro, the guy is apparently out of the decision making processs in two years. That is amazing. It's the catalyst that hopefully propels this team into credibility and respect. Be positive. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Brooklyn is 1 year away. Tons of good young players and prospects. And now we have two new owners who in two years can clean house of Snow and Cappy and replace them with legitimate options. This is all positive.

Very interesting development.

Do the new owners have any history of real estate development?

The Islanders being a tenant in Brooklyn is a bit of anomaly in the pro sports world. No way of telling what the lease is like without actually seeing it, but my edumacated guess is that it isn't as good for the Islanders as some people think.

For that reason, I can't help but think that the Wanger negotiated some sort of out clause on the Barclays Centre.

With the precedent set of the Islanders now playing in New York City, if the new owners can hoodwink taxpayers into giving them a new arena, the $$$ will be well worth the investment.

This will be interesting to watch.

But the good news for Islanders fans is now that they are in New York City, there isn't a "greener pasture" elsewhere. Relocation doesn't make sense from a financial standpoint. NYC is where you want to be.

Interesting times.
- Atomic Wedgie

this is a novel written by someone who didn't bother to look into any of the lease details, of which some have been reported on. Thanks for your uninformed opinion that makes me a little embarrassed for you when I read it.

Boomer and Carton were talking about the pending sales of the Islanders. Boomer said he thinks they'll be much better than last year and when they move to Brooklyn watch out...

I have to believe this new ownership group reaches out to the alumni.. Wang has chased them all away... A bond with the past needs to be made.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Just another bad decision in a long line of them by Wang. The alumni are probably ecstatic about this pending sale. It must make them as sick, if not more sick, as the fans to see how this franchise has been run and where its plummeted to.

Congrats folks!!!

Now for some rain....I hope it's revealed later that their future "majority ownership" is substantial and not just 60 them/40 wang sort of split
- stashu

I don't care if Wang keeps a part of the team, so long as he's out of the decision-making process. Its Wang's decision-making that has contributed greatly to the Isles futility over the past 15 years. New majority owners erase that problem. If CW wants to go to the games and draft parties and cheer the team on with no role in decision making, I'm all for it.

Very interesting development.

Do the new owners have any history of real estate development?

The Islanders being a tenant in Brooklyn is a bit of anomaly in the pro sports world. No way of telling what the lease is like without actually seeing it, but my edumacated guess is that it isn't as good for the Islanders as some people think.

For that reason, I can't help but think that the Wanger negotiated some sort of out clause on the Barclays Centre.

With the precedent set of the Islanders now playing in New York City, if the new owners can hoodwink taxpayers into giving them a new arena, the $$$ will be well worth the investment.

This will be interesting to watch.

But the good news for Islanders fans is now that they are in New York City, there isn't a "greener pasture" elsewhere. Relocation doesn't make sense from a financial standpoint. NYC is where you want to be.

Interesting times.
- Atomic Wedgie

The isles are not going anywhere. They have an "iron-clad" 25 year lease in Bklyn that all but guarantees them a profit every year. Even if they could break the lease, why would they? Why would they break the lease and leave Bklyn and NYC and all the corporate sponsorship dollars and mass transportation access to return to Nassau County, a county with none of that and a county which made it abundantly clear that it was either inept or didn't give a s**t about the team (or both)? For the fans? The 8,000 or so who showed up per night?

Nassau County is in the rear view mirror after this season and the franchise will be better off because of it.

The isles are not going anywhere. They have an "iron-clad" 25 year lease in Bklyn that all but guarantees them a profit every year. Even if they could break the lease, why would they? Why would they break the lease and leave Bklyn and NYC and all the corporate sponsorship dollars and mass transportation access to return to Nassau County, a county with none of that and a county which made it abundantly clear that it was either inept or didn't give a s**t about the team (or both)? For the fans? The 8,000 or so who showed up per night?

Nassau County is in the rear view mirror after this season and the franchise will be better off because of it.
- Jethro09

I clearly said I think they will stay in NYC.

But a few quick points:

- I doubt the lease is "iron-clad." It is very rare for a franchise to not have some sort of out clause
- the guaranteed profit clause (as it has been reported though various rumours, but to my knowlege never actually disclosed) is something like the hockey club gets $50 million a year, with the Barclays Center keeping everything above that. That's $1.25 million a game - not great now, and certainly not terrific in 25 years.
- the usual modus operandi of new owners is to build their own building (and have taxpayers pay for it) so they capture 100% of the revenue streams. The Islanders are already in NYC (next year) - if the new owners can get their own building, it would double the worth of the franchise.

I clearly said I think they will stay in NYC.

But a few quick points:

- I doubt the lease is "iron-clad." It is very rare for a franchise to not have some sort of out clause
- the guaranteed profit clause (as it has been reported though various rumours, but to my knowlege never actually disclosed) is something like the hockey club gets $50 million a year, with the Barclays Center keeping everything above that. That's $1.25 million a game - not great now, and certainly not terrific in 25 years.
- the usual modus operandi of new owners is to build their own building (and have taxpayers pay for it) so they capture 100% of the revenue streams. The Islanders are already in NYC (next year) - if the new owners can get their own building, it would double the worth of the franchise.
- Atomic Wedgie

Just an FYI its Brooklyn, the Rags are in NYC ....... lets make it clear between the 2 teams.

I clearly said I think they will stay in NYC.

But a few quick points:

- I doubt the lease is "iron-clad." It is very rare for a franchise to not have some sort of out clause
- the guaranteed profit clause (as it has been reported though various rumours, but to my knowlege never actually disclosed) is something like the hockey club gets $50 million a year, with the Barclays Center keeping everything above that. That's $1.25 million a game - not great now, and certainly not terrific in 25 years.
- the usual modus operandi of new owners is to build their own building (and have taxpayers pay for it) so they capture 100% of the revenue streams. The Islanders are already in NYC (next year) - if the new owners can get their own building, it would double the worth of the franchise.
- Atomic Wedgie

There would likely be rights issues playing in most of NYC due to the Rangers. The Islanders won't ever get an arena in Manhattan. The Bronx and Staten Island are just way too far out of the way, they'd alienate just about 100% of their already-existing fanbase moving to either of those boro's. That leaves Queens and Brooklyn, and I can tell you first hand that neither is exactly brimming with sprawling space for a professional hockey arena, short of taking away city park land and building it there. Which I highly doubt would fly. The Barclay's is it, love it or hate it, for the conceivable future.