New York Islanders owner Charles Wang has tried for a long time to find a new home for his hockey club- whether it's in New York or elsewhere (like, Kansas City)
Now, it appears that the Barclays Center in Brooklyn will be their new home in 2015 when the team's lease runs out at the antiquated (and downright nasty and outdated) Nassau Coliseum. The team announced Wednesday, they've signed a 25-year deal.
NHL Commish Gary Bettman hasn't been all that sold on the idea of a move to Barclays because capacity for hockey would be even less than MTS Centre in Winnipeg, but he'll be at the afternoon presser along with Wang, Islanders personnel, and other muckety-mucks.
As far back as 2003, Wang tried to introduce what became known as the "Lighthouse Project"- a billion-dollar redevelopment of the area on Long Island, but voters turned down the idea of bonds associated with the deal.
The funny thing about this is considering the current tenor of talks between the NHL and it's players, there is no guarantee there will ever be a game in Brooklyn. The NHL and the NHLPA have been at odds for months and a recent olive branch extended by the league was tossed aside by NHLPA president Donald Fehr. Many are starting to wonder if the league will be able to survive this latest stoppage in play.
OSHA has even been breathing down Nassau Coliseum's neck- citing the building for 16 violations including asbestos exposure. SMG, the manager of the Coliseum is saying that the issue has been fixed.
We don't anticipate the Isles opening night (whenever that is) will match this, however...
((HT: NigelDMedia))
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