Title: ESPN article on Lighthouse...
Description: they seem to have their minds made up...
Islander4cups - October 4, 2009 05:50 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
Wang: There's a chance Isles may moveComment Email Print Share Associated Press
UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- The New York Islanders are becoming the NHL's biggest free agent.
Frustrated with a lack of a decision by local government to approve or reject a major developmental plan that would provide the Islanders with a new, refurbished arena, club owner Charles Wang said Saturday he will explore all other options -- including relocation.
"There is [a chance] and that is very, very sad because this is somebody who wants to do something good for Long Island," Wang said before the Islanders hosted the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins in New York's season opener.
Wang has been trying for eight years to build the Lighthouse Project, an ambitious venture that would create a mega-destination spot on Long Island and give the Islanders a venue to replace antiquated Nassau Coliseum.
Wang had set a deadline for Saturday to get an answer from the Town of Hempstead -- and specifically supervisor Kate Murray. Wang received a call from Murray on Friday, but was told she wasn't prepared to give him an answer over the phone.
Wang agreed to talk to Murray during the upcoming week, but stated strongly that the time for negotiations has ended.
"What I want to do is keep the team here," Wang said. "Long Island needs the Islanders. It's crazy what's going on, the gamesmanship. Now you've really got to decide, yes or no. If it's no, it's OK. Say it then.
"It's not what I want, but it isn't like people are giving me great choices."
Wang said he told Murray that he didn't want details of their phone conversation to be made public, and was greatly dismayed when he read about it in the newspaper. He said that created trust issues for him toward Murray.
"I don't want to say you can't [trust her], but it's difficult," Wang said. "It's sad that it comes to this."
No potential destinations have been discussed, and Wang didn't say if he has given thought to selling the franchise, that won four straight Stanley Cup titles in the 1980s.
The Islanders played a preseason game a few weeks ago in Kansas City, which is known to crave an NHL team for a new arena that was built there.
"He has to consider all options, but as I understand it his options are to see first and foremost what he can do about the arena situation," said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who was in attendance. "We really haven't explored in any meaningful way beyond that. His goal would be to keep the team on Long Island.
"Obviously everybody wants the decision that lets this project go forward and lets the fans and the people on Long Island know that there will be a newer, renovated arena here. In the absence of that, let's put out efforts somewhere else if it's not going to be a reality. Lack of a decision after all this time to me is inexplicable."
Before the opening ceremonial faceoff, a promotional video was shown to the sold-out crowd touting the Lighthouse Project. Several fans throughout the game held up signs in support of the plan, including several that said, "Long Island needs an answer Kate."
"For two years now we have been working and we've said, 'Here's what it is,'" Wang said of his developmental plan "Two years ago I said, 'Tell me yes or tell me no. If it's no, tell me what you want and then I can tell you what I can or cannot do.' So, what happened? Two years go by, and we're going to meet now to talk about negotiation? No. I don't know what she is going to say or what she wants.
"When you do a business and you want somebody to stay and you want them to do something, you woo them, you work with them and you make it happen," Wang said. "Nobody can tell me that has happened with the Town of Hempstead."
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
|
Webb20 - October 4, 2009 09:16 PM (GMT)
Pretty much what he said last night to Howie. He call's Murray and TOH's delays grandstanding. It's what Wang is also doing in this article.
stevedepot - October 4, 2009 09:29 PM (GMT)
Wang is such a baby it's disgraceful.
He's upset that some things were made public?
REALLY??????
F him. F Him. You know what it is???
It's because the public is aware of him and the developers tryng to get tax breaks.
He's been slamming Kate Murray and the TOH for a couple of years (some deservedly so)
But now the shoe is on the other foot.
F you Charles Wang. On the evening of what should have been an exclusive celebration for
us Islander fans watching our young Isles compete with a bright young star...
we have you to blame for placing a dark cloud over the game with your self imposed deadline.
:thumbsdown:
4CUPZ - October 4, 2009 09:32 PM (GMT)
NOW NOW NOW
STOP PICKING ON CHAIRMAN WANG
STEVE THE FUNNIEST THING WAS WHEN WE WALKED TOWARDS THE BOX OFFICE
THERE'S THIS ONE GUY ON A BULLHORN YELLING KATE MUST GO
AND THE DEMOCRATIC SAVIOR KRISTEN MCRLROY THAT WANTS TO BEAT MURRAY
ONLY PROBLEM WAS THERE WAS ONLY ABOUT 50 ISLANDER FANS STANDING THERE LISTENING OR LOOKING FOR TICKETS NOT QUITE SURE
GRANTED IT WAS JUST BEFORE THE DOORS OPENED
SO I GUESS THE THOUSANDS ALREADY LEFT TO GET INSIDE THE CRUMBLING BOWL OF CONCRETE :rolleyes:
Shooter - October 4, 2009 11:05 PM (GMT)
Before Wang's comments that he regretted buying the Islanders, I was on the guy's side. To be honest, I'm as sick of him and his grandstanding as I am with the politicians. The best thing that could happen to the Islanders is they give him his land, ask him to sell it to someone who will keep them here, and let him count his billions.
fastymctalent55 - October 4, 2009 11:33 PM (GMT)
I just don't want to lose my team.
I hate all of this.
nyrangerhater99 - October 4, 2009 11:54 PM (GMT)
Honestly I think it's just a matter of time before they deal is done and they break ground next summer right where it should be, AT THE NVMC. All Kate and the goons are doing are looking over the lease and waiting untill the most opportune time to pass it for their political careers. They don't want voters to forget that they were the ones who passed the lighthouse. We are no where near as close to moving as the Penguins were a few years back and no where near the amount of $h1t that the Coyotes are in. I have confidence in both parties that it will be a done deal by the end of October. Wang doesn't want to move the team after all of this, and the losers at the TOH don't want to be the ones to ruin this not only for Islander fans but for all tri-state hockey fans that want to see rivalrys between their team and an up and coming Islanders team. Untill Ballsillie rents a suite at the barn, I'm not that scared. Remember, this is a game they are playing here, on the ice and off.
But im not saying that I enjoy this. I just want to be able to talk about hockey and a cool new arena to go and hang out in to see a good young team play. All this talk about the lighthouse and TOH and Wang-Rechler and Murry is sickening. I wish they weren't little immature kids about it and just come up with a way to get it started. Thats all anyone wants. WE WANT HOCKEY! WE WANT :isles: HOCKEY!
stonedcold39 - October 5, 2009 01:02 AM (GMT)
Even if you don't like Wang, you do have to admit he is a very patient man.
nyrangerhater99 - October 5, 2009 01:10 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (stonedcold39 @ Oct 4 2009, 08:02 PM) |
| Even if you don't like Wang, you do have to admit he is a very patient man. |
Agreed, even though sometimes it seems like he should just go with the flow, I must admit he is patient ambicious and means what he says. A very up front guy.
stonedcold39 - October 5, 2009 01:21 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (nyrangerhater99 @ Oct 4 2009, 08:10 PM) |
| QUOTE (stonedcold39 @ Oct 4 2009, 08:02 PM) | | Even if you don't like Wang, you do have to admit he is a very patient man. |
Agreed, even though sometimes it seems like he should just go with the flow, I must admit he is patient ambicious and means what he says. A very up front guy.
|
Absolutely. Keep in mind he is losing 20 mil a year keeping them here. he can only afford that for so long. He stated they laughed at him for two years, and when it comes time to make a desision, they say they need time, and can't meet deadlines. Also, wasn't it kate Murray who had one of her inspectors doing illegal work on his house right down the block from her, and she acted like she didn't know what was going on? Murray is crooked, and the TOH is a joke. (Not the people who live there, the government).
MMingE - October 5, 2009 02:44 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (4CUPZ @ Oct 4 2009, 05:32 PM) |
NOW NOW NOW
STOP PICKING ON CHAIRMAN WANG
STEVE THE FUNNIEST THING WAS WHEN WE WALKED TOWARDS THE BOX OFFICE
THERE'S THIS ONE GUY ON A BULLHORN YELLING KATE MUST GO
AND THE DEMOCRATIC SAVIOR KRISTEN MCRLROY THAT WANTS TO BEAT MURRAY
ONLY PROBLEM WAS THERE WAS ONLY ABOUT 50 ISLANDER FANS STANDING THERE LISTENING OR LOOKING FOR TICKETS NOT QUITE SURE
GRANTED IT WAS JUST BEFORE THE DOORS OPENED
SO I GUESS THE THOUSANDS ALREADY LEFT TO GET INSIDE THE CRUMBLING BOWL OF CONCRETE :rolleyes: |
You should've been there 10 mins earlier, she tried to start a "Build the Lighthouse" Chant and maybe about 5 people started chanting, the rest just looked at her like she was some nut...Awkward
Andy - October 5, 2009 08:08 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (MMingE @ Oct 4 2009, 09:44 PM) |
| QUOTE (4CUPZ @ Oct 4 2009, 05:32 PM) | NOW NOW NOW
STOP PICKING ON CHAIRMAN WANG
STEVE THE FUNNIEST THING WAS WHEN WE WALKED TOWARDS THE BOX OFFICE
THERE'S THIS ONE GUY ON A BULLHORN YELLING KATE MUST GO
AND THE DEMOCRATIC SAVIOR KRISTEN MCRLROY THAT WANTS TO BEAT MURRAY
ONLY PROBLEM WAS THERE WAS ONLY ABOUT 50 ISLANDER FANS STANDING THERE LISTENING OR LOOKING FOR TICKETS NOT QUITE SURE
GRANTED IT WAS JUST BEFORE THE DOORS OPENED
SO I GUESS THE THOUSANDS ALREADY LEFT TO GET INSIDE THE CRUMBLING BOWL OF CONCRETE :rolleyes: |
You should've been there 10 mins earlier, she tried to start a "Build the Lighthouse" Chant and maybe about 5 people started chanting, the rest just looked at her like she was some nut...Awkward
|
Next time get the building to chant "Just play hockey"
Shooter - October 5, 2009 12:07 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Andy @ Oct 5 2009, 03:08 AM) |
| QUOTE (MMingE @ Oct 4 2009, 09:44 PM) | | QUOTE (4CUPZ @ Oct 4 2009, 05:32 PM) | NOW NOW NOW
STOP PICKING ON CHAIRMAN WANG
STEVE THE FUNNIEST THING WAS WHEN WE WALKED TOWARDS THE BOX OFFICE
THERE'S THIS ONE GUY ON A BULLHORN YELLING KATE MUST GO
AND THE DEMOCRATIC SAVIOR KRISTEN MCRLROY THAT WANTS TO BEAT MURRAY
ONLY PROBLEM WAS THERE WAS ONLY ABOUT 50 ISLANDER FANS STANDING THERE LISTENING OR LOOKING FOR TICKETS NOT QUITE SURE
GRANTED IT WAS JUST BEFORE THE DOORS OPENED
SO I GUESS THE THOUSANDS ALREADY LEFT TO GET INSIDE THE CRUMBLING BOWL OF CONCRETE :rolleyes: |
You should've been there 10 mins earlier, she tried to start a "Build the Lighthouse" Chant and maybe about 5 people started chanting, the rest just looked at her like she was some nut...Awkward
|
Next time get the building to chant "Just play hockey"
|
When there's billions of taxpayer money at stake, hockey is unimportant. This is the world of reality.
DannyBinAtlanta - October 5, 2009 12:58 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (stevedepot @ Oct 4 2009, 04:29 PM) |
Wang is such a baby it's disgraceful.
He's upset that some things were made public?
REALLY??????
F him. F Him. You know what it is???
It's because the public is aware of him and the developers tryng to get tax breaks.
He's been slamming Kate Murray and the TOH for a couple of years (some deservedly so)
But now the shoe is on the other foot.
F you Charles Wang. On the evening of what should have been an exclusive celebration for
us Islander fans watching our young Isles compete with a bright young star...
we have you to blame for placing a dark cloud over the game with your self imposed deadline.
:thumbsdown: |
:applaud:
4CUPZ - October 5, 2009 06:00 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (MMingE @ Oct 4 2009, 10:44 PM) |
| QUOTE (4CUPZ @ Oct 4 2009, 05:32 PM) | NOW NOW NOW
STOP PICKING ON CHAIRMAN WANG
STEVE THE FUNNIEST THING WAS WHEN WE WALKED TOWARDS THE BOX OFFICE
THERE'S THIS ONE GUY ON A BULLHORN YELLING KATE MUST GO
AND THE DEMOCRATIC SAVIOR KRISTEN MCRLROY THAT WANTS TO BEAT MURRAY
ONLY PROBLEM WAS THERE WAS ONLY ABOUT 50 ISLANDER FANS STANDING THERE LISTENING OR LOOKING FOR TICKETS NOT QUITE SURE
GRANTED IT WAS JUST BEFORE THE DOORS OPENED
SO I GUESS THE THOUSANDS ALREADY LEFT TO GET INSIDE THE CRUMBLING BOWL OF CONCRETE :rolleyes: |
You should've been there 10 mins earlier, she tried to start a "Build the Lighthouse" Chant and maybe about 5 people started chanting, the rest just looked at her like she was some nut...Awkward
|
ANOTHER DYNAMIC GET TOGETHER