Dee Karl: Isles Exit: This Blame is No Game While we will never know the 'real' story behind the years of delays, we will deal with the aftermath of them.

Dee Karl: Isles Exit: This Blame is No Game
While we will never know the 'real' story behind the years of delays, we will deal with the aftermath of them.
- Dee Karl

I hate them playing in Brooklyn but the reality of the matter is.. it doesn't matter who is at fault, it doesn't matter why this happened.. its happening, its done... get over it & move on.. in the long run the franchise will be better for it.

XxNYIxX

Dee Karl: Isles Exit: This Blame is No Game
While we will never know the 'real' story behind the years of delays, we will deal with the aftermath of them.
- Dee Karl

I skimmed over this blog but from the headline alone, let me just say this. The islanders organization went from small market to large market over night with this move to brooklyn. They went from being a laughing stock with an outdated arena, to having fans, some of whom are, shall we say, the opposite of class. To moving to an area that is the biggest up and coming place to live, with train access to games (which they've never had). They're moving into a brand new facility that houses an NBA team which is owned by a BILLIONARE, and one of the most successful artists in hip hop. How anyone can make an argument that this move isnt head and shoulders better is beyond me. So you have an extra 20 min to go to games cause you live in suffolk..........BIG DEAL. Ranger fans in suffolk have had no problem getting to MSG all these years. The way I see it, the Isles just became real competition for the Rangers. UFA's will want to come here..........they will want to hop on the new Brooklyn "train". Watch and see....

Dee Karl: Isles Exit: This Blame is No Game
While we will never know the 'real' story behind the years of delays, we will deal with the aftermath of them.
- Dee Karl

One more thing to add which i feel is relevant is star power. With the brooklyn move the isles will now have stars rocking their gear publically and going to games. Kevin Connelly is not going to attract fans...........nor is having washed up cheese metal bands playing concerts there. That new arena is going to have real shows, with real stars showing up. I went to a playoff Ranger game and they had at least 10 A list stars in the audience that they showed on the big screen. That doesnt happen at the coliseum.......it wasnt cool being and isles fan anymore. With the young prospects and the new facility, in Brooklyn the isles will have a legit shot at the cup. They were NEVER winning another cup @ the coliseum.

I like Gallof's stuff. Always have. But a feature on what went wrong that only reports the viewpoint of Jay Jacobs, of all people, is a very incomplete account of the situation.

I like Gallof's stuff. Always have. But a feature on what went wrong that only reports the viewpoint of Jay Jacobs, of all people, is a very incomplete account of the situation.
- UIF

I also always liked Gallof's stuff but you make a good point UIF. Isles are very lucky to be away from this mess.

I just read the entire piece. BD does great work. Im sure he has more to contribute to this whole thing, but I disagree with some of "part 1's" insinuations.

As I posted over on the CBS board, with all due respect, I don't trust a word that Jay Jacobs says. He's no better than the rest of the political idiots that he's pointing the finger at in your piece. Saying that the Republicans killed the Lighthouse because they didn't want Suozzi to get credit for it is completely speculative. It also ignores the large political machine of Garden City and its opposition to the Lighthouse for commercial, business reasons. Nobody in Garden City wanted the Lighthouse to compete with them for retail and commercial real estate business. They lobbied their politicans and those politicans killed the deal. So while Kate Murray and her band of fools killed the Lighthouse, it wasn't for something as petty as preventing Suozzi from getting credit.

Besides, the same can be said about Jacobs and his band of Democrats in killing the Referrendum. Yeah, he can say it was a "fiscal opposition", but in the end, one could just as easily argue that Jacobs and the Democrats didn't want Mangano getting any credit for a new arena. Especially in light of the 2006 report you cite, the Democrats chose the greater of two evils by killing any chance this team had of remaining in Nassau County. True, taxes would have gone up on Nassau Residents, but now they will go up anyway and there is no team or arena to show for it.

Bottom line: Nassau County is run by inept politicans, as are many of the towns and villages. That is best demonstrated by the fact that the highest taxed county in the Country can't manage its finances and operate in the black, necessitating a watch dog group like NIFA to oversee them like a parent watching over an irresponsible child. Nassau County is becoming a sewer and while its a shame for its residents, the best thing that could have happened to the Islanders was a move west to the Barclays.

I just read the entire piece. BD does great work. Im sure he has more to contribute to this whole thing, but I disagree with some of "part 1's" insinuations.

As I posted over on the CBS board, with all due respect, I don't trust a word that Jay Jacobs says. He's no better than the rest of the political idiots that he's pointing the finger at in your piece. Saying that the Republicans killed the Lighthouse because they didn't want Suozzi to get credit for it is completely speculative. It also ignores the large political machine of Garden City and its opposition to the Lighthouse for commercial, business reasons. Nobody in Garden City wanted the Lighthouse to compete with them for retail and commercial real estate business. They lobbied their politicans and those politicans killed the deal. So while Kate Murray and her band of fools killed the Lighthouse, it wasn't for something as petty as preventing Suozzi from getting credit.

Besides, the same can be said about Jacobs and his band of Democrats in killing the Referrendum. Yeah, he can say it was a "fiscal opposition", but in the end, one could just as easily argue that Jacobs and the Democrats didn't want Mangano getting any credit for a new arena. Especially in light of the 2006 report you cite, the Democrats chose the greater of two evils by killing any chance this team had of remaining in Nassau County. True, taxes would have gone up on Nassau Residents, but now they will go up anyway and there is no team or arena to show for it.

Bottom line: Nassau County is run by inept politicans, as are many of the towns and villages. That is best demonstrated by the fact that the highest taxed county in the Country can't manage its finances and operate in the black, necessitating a watch dog group like NIFA to oversee them like a parent watching over an irresponsible child. Nassau County is becoming a sewer and while its a shame for its residents, the best thing that could have happened to the Islanders was a move west to the Barclays.
- Jethro09

As we all knew would happen, after the Isles announced they were leaving, the finger-pointing starts and all involved shift to full CYA mode. Jacobs tries to make it sound like he was ready to lead and the Democrats were ready with alternatives, if only the Republicans would have engaged them. But we heard Jacobs' alternative during the whole referendum mess. Does he think no one remembers him unveiling his ridiculous plan on Francessa's show only to have it absolutely destroyed by every knowledgable person that got wind of it? If that's his idea of leadership, maybe we're better off with anarchy in Nassau County. I'm sure if Mondello or Mangano had equal time in the story, they would have made equally absurd charges about how this is all the Democrats' fault.

I wish B.D.'s story would have included the other side's viewpoint so we could have seen their attempt to try to hang everything on Jacobs and Democrats while Jacobs tried to hang everything on the Republicans. I think it would have strengthened the point B.D. was making -- that political dysfunction, finger-pointing, a woeful lack of leadership...and I would add a culture of back-scratching and selling out to various interests from all sides...made any possibility of getting something done virtually impossible.

As we all knew would happen, after the Isles announced they were leaving, the finger-pointing starts and all involved shift to full CYA mode. Jacobs tries to make it sound like he was ready to lead and the Democrats were ready with alternatives, if only the Republicans would have engaged them. But we heard Jacobs' alternative during the whole referendum mess. Does he think no one remembers him unveiling his ridiculous plan on Francessa's show only to have it absolutely destroyed by every knowledgable person that got wind of it? If that's his idea of leadership, maybe we're better off with anarchy in Nassau County. I'm sure if Mondello or Mangano had equal time in the story, they would have made equally absurd charges about how this is all the Democrats' fault.

I wish B.D.'s story would have included the other side's viewpoint so we could have seen their attempt to try to hang everything on Jacobs and Democrats while Jacobs tried to hang everything on the Republicans. I think it would have strengthened the point B.D. was making -- that political dysfunction, finger-pointing, a woeful lack of leadership...and I would add a culture of back-scratching and selling out to various interests from all sides...made any possibility of getting something done virtually impossible.
- UIF

I don't think BD is done. I think he's got more parts to this story that he will post. Its obvious which way he leans based on his writings, but I also find him to be somewhat objective. I bet we'll see the Republican's version in a future piece.

Dee please just stop and accept that they moved to Brooklyn enough crying about it already. Time to move on. Wang said in an interview it was either that or goodbye Islanders. What type of fan are you if you are nto happy abou them going to go Brooklyn???

I don't think BD is done. I think he's got more parts to this story that he will post. Its obvious which way he leans based on his writings, but I also find him to be somewhat objective. I bet we'll see the Republican's version in a future piece.
- Jethro09

Agreed. I thought his work throughout the process was really good

Dee please just stop and accept that they moved to Brooklyn enough crying about it already. Time to move on. Wang said in an interview it was either that or goodbye Islanders. What type of fan are you if you are nto happy abou them going to go Brooklyn???
- kasperrko

Thank god somebody said it!!!!!!! these stories are reallly stale

Technically, Brooklyn is on Long Island so stop.... the Islanders are not leaving, they are simply moving down the block. In the end this move will be better for the franchise down the road. Will it suck for some fans in Suffolk...no doubt but if the Islanders are winning then no one will care where in the NYC area they are playing. Gone will be the days of....

Free Agents laughing at the thought of playing here
9,000 people attending mid season games on weekdays
2,000 people attending games in bad weather
Other team fans infiltrating the arena on a daily basis
Lame kid days to try to sell tickets
etc

Finally we don't have to worry about the future of the Islanders. The team is finally accesible to fans in NYC, NJ, and the other boroughs. Most importantly, the franchise can sell luxury boxes and club seats. The Barclays Center has already sold out 99% of its boxes....this would never happen in Nassau County. Dee...get over it. The Islanders are no longer in Uniondale.

The loss of the islanders will solidify the downfall of nassau

The loss of the islanders will solidify the downfall of nassau
- Danformo

The down fall you speak of happened about thirty yrs ago

As an outsider, I would think that stability would be the most welcome thing to this team. Something it has been lacking for some time.

Just a thought.

The down fall you speak of happened about thirty yrs ago
- Cptmjl

sad but true!

XxNYIxX

The biggest issue raised by the Isles leaving Nassau is not the team leaving, its how inept Nassau County's politicans are. If the politicans couldn't compromise on an arena deal, an arena that Nassau County needs badly, how can they compromise on anything else? This epic fail by everyone in Nassau County politics is demonstrative of short-sightedness, failed leadership and reversed priorities. Based on this debacle, I don't know how anyone can think things will get better in Nassau County any time soon. First, the team goes and the arena will go dark. Next, other prominent companies will look to leave the county as well.

As an outsider, I would think that stability would be the most welcome thing to this team. Something it has been lacking for some time.

Just a thought.
- bixll

you are 1000% correct... stability is the one thing this team has been lacking since they entered the NHL in 72


XxNYIxX

you are 1000% correct... stability is the one thing this team has been lacking since they entered the NHL in 72


XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Thought so, I think this is going to be a big turning point for this team. Chin up, if I am an Isles fan..

Now, if they could just get the frankin game back on the ice...

Thought so, I think this is going to be a big turning point for this team. Chin up, if I am an Isles fan..

Now, if they could just get the frankin game back on the ice...
- bixll

I'm fairly certain the vast majority, if not nearly all, of the fans are happy. Even if Brooklyn wasn't their first choice, it was a very close second or third. This blog is the only one I've seen consistently putting a negative spin on it...other than a few scattered stories from way-out-of-market outlets that don't seem to realize that the team is still easily accessible to the current fan base.

But Jethro nailed it...the lingering story is what horrible shape Nassau is in politically, even beyond anything hockey related.

I'm fairly certain the vast majority, if not nearly all, of the fans are happy. Even if Brooklyn wasn't their first choice, it was a very close second or third. This blog is the only one I've seen consistently putting a negative spin on it...other than a few scattered stories from way-out-of-market outlets that don't seem to realize that the team is still easily accessible to the current fan base.

But Jethro nailed it...the lingering story is what horrible shape Nassau is in politically, even beyond anything hockey related.
- UIF

I understand this to be true, but if you want something to get (frank)ed up, get a politician involved...


I feel sorry for all of the people that work at the venue. These are the people effected. Christ, the players that are locked out are going out and buying new Benz's for crying out loud.. the people that work these facilities are the ones that are really getting it up the shoot.

The biggest issue raised by the Isles leaving Nassau is not the team leaving, its how inept Nassau County's politicans are. If the politicans couldn't compromise on an arena deal, an arena that Nassau County needs badly, how can they compromise on anything else? This epic fail by everyone in Nassau County politics is demonstrative of short-sightedness, failed leadership and reversed priorities. Based on this debacle, I don't know how anyone can think things will get better in Nassau County any time soon. First, the team goes and the arena will go dark. Next, other prominent companies will look to leave the county as well.
- Jethro09

Excellent points Jethro. This is way beyond losing a hockey team. The politicans have not idea what damage they caused to Nassau County. This should be a big lesson in being very careful who and what you vote for.

Howdy y'all...

Yes, this is a series. Jacob's opine stands alone. I figured after citing sources from ToH & Mangano's office over the years from work on HI, Huffington, and others... Jacob's opinion should stand (and fall in many places) by itself. Hoping to add more.. on or off record from other vantage points.

in the end, I will conclude with a proper context and objective take. Just trying to collect what I can. Can't guarantee they will respond, but can't hurt to try.

It seemed to me that Jacobs blames Mangano for post-referendum flubbery, but fact is, post-referendum Charles was done with Nassau barring them turning over land to him. As Jacobs even admits, Mangano did not have flexibility to do that.

As for ToH mechanics, as if you read me over the years, there has been a lot of tracking and connections to Mondello and the Republican leadership, plus let us not forget Randi Marshall's important piece attaching it to Charles break with Alphonse D'Amato. So despite Jacobs laying it at their feet... well, he has a point.

However, as I smacked the Democrats around back then when the referendum failed, they were warned that this was the likely result. Jacobs said he felt they had time. He was wrong, and that rests on them as well.



BD

Howdy y'all...

Yes, this is a series. Jacob's opine stands alone. I figured after citing sources from ToH & Mangano's office over the years from work on HI, Huffington, and others... Jacob's opinion should stand (and fall in many places) by itself. Hoping to add more.. on or off record from other vantage points.

in the end, I will conclude with a proper context and objective take. Just trying to collect what I can. Can't guarantee they will respond, but can't hurt to try.

It seemed to me that Jacobs blames Mangano for post-referendum flubbery, but fact is, post-referendum Charles was done with Nassau barring them turning over land to him. As Jacobs even admits, Mangano did not have flexibility to do that.

As for ToH mechanics, as if you read me over the years, there has been a lot of tracking and connections to Mondello and the Republican leadership, plus let us not forget Randi Marshall's important piece attaching it to Charles break with Alphonse D'Amato. So despite Jacobs laying it at their feet... well, he has a point.

However, as I smacked the Democrats around back then when the referendum failed, they were warned that this was the likely result. Jacobs said he felt they had time. He was wrong, and that rests on them as well.



BD
- B.D. Gallof

Yep. Doubt you'll ever get anything out of folks like Kate Murray, but I bet Mangano would be eager to jump in and play the blame-shifting game since this all happened on his watch and he'll have to spin it. It'll really highlight how dysfunctional all the leaders in the county are when they're all just casting blame and bickering as Rome burns around them.

Maybe consider updating your story with a note in the deck that it's "Part I" as well...I didn't catch that there would be more, but now see it's down in the seventh paragraph.