NHL News: Islanders Vote - Referendum Voted Down
by Bryan Winters on Aug 2, 2011 12:01 AM EDT
in NHL News
Email
Print
The news that we never thought we would hear in a our lifetimes, "Will the Islanders be leaving Long Island?". The unthinkable has indeed happened, the Nassau Coliseum Referendum has officially been voted down.
As it stands right now, the votes counts are at 33,526 (No) to 24,553 (Yes). Election officials stated that this was a very low turnout for this un-expected election.
As a result of the vote failing, Nassau County and the New York Islanders are now forced to go with "Plan B", which still remains a mystery. Wang has made it known in the past, that he may indeed leave Long Island if this vote was to fail. This is a scary thought for all of Long Island and the hockey universe, can the Islanders finally be on the way out?
Follow me after the jump for more.
Islanders fans everywhere are devastated, but they are wondering, who is to blame for this failure? I will tell you exactly who.
The Islanders and Charles Wang did a great job of promoting the Vote Yes August 1st campaign, but were they promoting it to the correct crowd? No, the were busy focusing on the main hockey fans, who were already on board, and would vote yes. The community they forgot to address, was the general public and all non-hockey fans living in the surrounding areas.
As soon as you mention, taxes and money in the same sentence, the general consensus is automatically "No". In my honest opinion, the Islanders did not do enough to promote it to the public, rather than to hockey fans. That is the reason we are viewing the outcome we have today. It's sad to see, but it is what it is.
While we all wait to see what the Islanders have in store next, we are now faced to wait even longer to find a resolution.
Thoughts?
62 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
This is absolutely terrible news for the Rangers! Now we are down to only two home arenas!
I’m kinda indifferent to it to be honest, Im not going to feel bad for a team & people Ive hated for a while who have had mutual hatred for each other while both teams have sucked for the majority of the last 15 years. The team/organization should have done a better job in the past to prevent this issue from occurring but Ive always thought 3 hockey teams in the NYC area was overkill. Maybe they move to Hartford? But Im in CT as of now and most of these people dont give a shit about hockey either.
GO PACK GO -- 13 Time World Champions
Let's Go Rangers
UH Huh You Know What It Is ZUCCA-RELLO ZUCCA-RELLO
Team’s gone… KC will be back…
I’m sure after having his Lighthouse project shut down, and now this Wang sells the Franchise and they are gone to highest bidder in 2015… Honestly what reason do we have to be upset about a low attendance franchise being moved…
On the brightside I bet Tavares hit’s the market…
@clalicata17
It’s terrible news for all local hockey fans, not just Island folks.
If the Islanders move, the Rangers lose their long-time rivals. Sure, there would still be a rivalry of sorts, but playing a team twice a year is a lot different than battling 6-8 times per season (as the case has been the last few years). Having that heated feud helps spark interest and fuel fan intensity. It would be an absolute shame to lose our rivals to the east. Think about how much you love to hate them, love to root against them… and all of that can be gone in a flash. It’s very sad to see the lack of support, and even sadder to see how it was allowed to progress this far.
I was at a game 2 years ago on the Island… the Rangers were up by a few goals, and a few Ranger fans started chanting “Kansas City”. Sure, it might have been fun to ‘rub it in’ a little bit more… but if it actually happens, I think those fans will be singing a different tune. Like the super hero with no more villain to fight… it would be depressing. Not to mention we would likely wind up with Detroit in the conference, making that 8-spot even harder to secure.
Pierre McGuire needs to go away.
by MartyEqualsPansy on Aug 2, 2011 12:36 AM EDT reply actions
Yup, and either Washington and Boston in our division.
No man should have to lose their hockey team.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
Yes, of course.
I was just saying the conference would likely get stronger
Pierre McGuire needs to go away.
by MartyEqualsPansy on Aug 2, 2011 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions
+1 on the post.
-1 on the Islanders (possibly) moving.
Best Rangers day: May 27, 1994
Worst Rangers day: April 10, 1984
by Stepan the Ice! on Aug 2, 2011 7:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Sad
Its to bad, that they might have to leave, living in south Florida i fear that we will lose the panthers which mean i would have to travel 3 hrs to see the Rangers face Tampa. in the end Canada will get another team whether its PHX, FLA or the Isle’s. in the end Canada is where hockey can succeed and America will suffer because of the bad economy.
Nah, I don’t think the Panthers will be going anywhere for now.C U at a Ranger game at the BAC.
PRUSTOSTERONE!!!
by nathansfamous on Aug 2, 2011 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Wang
he should now spend his own money on the arena like i believe he said he would do a few years back
Only if he could make a huge profit on selling apartments/condos/office space. Wang is a business man and not a hockey fan. He offered his own money when he wanted to get a $100 Million project approved that would gross $200 million. Once that was taken off the table he wanted the county to foot the bill. Now that’s off the table. I think Nassau should sell the Coliseum to a private owner retaining a 20% ownership and earning a percentage of Gross income (including TV rights) from use of the Coliseum.
Wang is claiming poverty except he has more money than $400M and he never includes the TV rights income to Islanders games in the “loss” he says he is incurring from the operation. I hope the NHL and CBA look closer at this type of double dealing.
by Leetch4prezofNYR on Aug 2, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
No tax money should ever be going to lining the pockets of a millionaire sports owner.
None. Nada. I was furious when Citi Field and Yankee Stadium got public funding and I would have been furious if this arena did. Especially in this economy.
Wang should be forced to spend his own money. And not the bullshit he tried to pull the last time when he wanted the EPA stuff backed off and the restrictions removed. He tried to bully Long Island last time and they told him no. They told him no again. Spend your own money, do it the right way, or GTFO.
End of story.
Great to see Long Island voters told him that. I know a number of Islanders fans who voted yes, but I also know a number of Islanders fans (young and old) who voted no.
Retaliation is related to nature and instinct, not to law. Law, by definition, cannot obey the same rules as nature. - Albert Camus
maybe they shouldn’t have nixed the lighthouse project which was going to improve the area overall, instead they told Wang to shove it and this was a well here’s your last chance take it or leave it, they left it and now the area will suffer for the loss of jobs and a hockey team, both which generate revenue… all for a measly 14$ a year extra in taxes…
@clalicata17
there is also the trickle down effect which will cause players who should be franchise players to leave due to instability in future. Tavares isn’t going to hang around with a team that nobody knows will even exist in 5 years… and as he leaves so will others…
@clalicata17
Boo hoo. Let them leave.
Retaliation is related to nature and instinct, not to law. Law, by definition, cannot obey the same rules as nature. - Albert Camus
seriously
We can try to steal Okposo too. He already lives in the area so why not?
Take it to the net and keep jamming and jamming until somebody comes on you.
- Eddie Olczyk
by Scratch and Snif on Aug 2, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
The ugliest man in hockey.
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers
Big Blue View: Unofficial New York Giants blog
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Aug 2, 2011 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
competition
@joereiter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?" - Lord General Sather
"Nobody knows anything" - William Goldman
Wang had every ability to do what he wanted.
The problem was he would not budge. He wanted to fund the arena and the lighthouse project, but he wanted the EPA restrictions removed and the problem with roadways removed. You can’t just do that. He didn’t want to play fair and they told him to shove it after they found that out.
Maybe Islanders fans should pay for the arena themselves. Cover all the taxes and such so people who don’t give a shit about it won’t have to pay. Take out some PSLs to cover it if you have to.
Really not a difficult concept. If Wang had tried to play fair with the LHP, he would have had everything he wanted. He’d have to abide with the EPA restrictions and such, but would not be in the mess he’s currently in.
Retaliation is related to nature and instinct, not to law. Law, by definition, cannot obey the same rules as nature. - Albert Camus
You have to give to get… and with his renovations he would have transformed Nassau County and made it an area people would visit with regularity, not just retire there… He would have created thousands of jobs from construction to management of malls and condos and the new stadium creates an attraction which would draw people in, they did not want to bend the rules to make this happen, now they will lose the stadium, the team, thousands of jobs and by losing all of the above taxes will increase anyway to support those whom are left jobless…
when you through the equation of players wanting to leave an organization thats when the NHL will step in and remove the team from the negative situation before it gets worse which will see the islanders moved…
not directing this at anybody in particular, but the voters are very short sighted in this case… i quite frankly could careless where the islanders end up…
@clalicata17
Wang was only going to accept all or nothing on the lighthouse project
by Leetch4prezofNYR on Aug 2, 2011 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Honestly the rivalry is dead by now… and the fans don’t go to the games… from a business standpoint it’s horrible to keep that team there…
A lot of people have said stuff like the fans will suffer… well where are they… not going to the games thats for sure… there was more push from rangers fans to get this vote going than islanders fans is that really a franchise the league wants to have? It’s like the 150 people that showed up for the save the Thrashers campaign… if you want to keep your team go to the games…
Yeah it sucks they are losing there team, but its nobody but the fans who refuse to support the team’s fault. If the teams going to get the support in Canada or in KC then go there. 27th in the league is abysmal when considering it’s a sport like hockey that does not cater to the casual fans… High Attendance in the NHL is a must or the franchise will fail…
@clalicata17
Can we trade for the Ice Girls before the team relocates?
Given they are probably local Long Island girls.. Some might have the dreaded ’itch-itch" down below and leave you with painful urination in the weeks after, but those are some fine looking white women.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Aug 2, 2011 5:29 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Isiah Thomas is a consultant it wouldn’t work
by Leetch4prezofNYR on Aug 2, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Paging joereiter.. Islander fans love you.
Came across the post below on Lighthouse.. I love internet tough guys.
___________________________
That joereiter guy
I swear to god I’m gonna take a fucking bat to his head.
sayvillelax94 – August 1, 2011
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Aug 2, 2011 5:48 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
yeah, i saw that last night
i posted a shit ton on the other thread yesterday which apparently upset their lurkers
all that rage and i never even set foot on their board, i must be doing something right
i can paraphrase how that went yesterday……that joereiter guy makes me feel like this:
@joereiter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?" - Lord General Sather
"Nobody knows anything" - William Goldman
Well they’re the dumbasses who’re hanging around here. Were they expecting words of admiration or something?
Take it to the net and keep jamming and jamming until somebody comes on you.
- Eddie Olczyk
by Scratch and Snif on Aug 2, 2011 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
a sad day for a once proud franchise
One man that should really take a lot of blame is Mike Milbury; he constantly sold away all star calibur talent for short term gain that epically failed on him. Not to mention the bad contracts. Just imagine how different the hockey landscape would be if “Mad Mike” didn’t get his hands on the Islanders
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
by Kevin Power on Aug 2, 2011 7:01 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
it's not all milbury though
the early tenure of slashing payroll was on orders from the gluckstern-millstein braintrust
i mean, really, you can heap blame on don maloney, too, since he was at the helm when the ship started to really take on water
hell, let’s just blame it all on dale hunter, because, as i’ve heard ad nauseum over the years, “if not for that hit the islanders win the cup in ’93”
@joereiter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?" - Lord General Sather
"Nobody knows anything" - William Goldman
yeah
But see I’m only old enough to remember milbury, so I’m blaming his shoe beating ass
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
by Kevin Power on Aug 2, 2011 4:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I get the whole “we’re losing a big rivalry” argument, but I just don’t buy into it. I haven’t given a shit about Islander games in years. I look forward to the 2 points now and thats about it.
Things change… Rivalries change. We’re building new ones. And in 40 years, maybe Rangers fans will be looking back on this time when the real Rangers/Caps rivalry begins. We’ve already had a couple intense playoff series with them – we hate their fans. Imagine if they join the Atlantic division in a few years? We can start a whole new rivalry and create the history behind it.
Things change. There’s no stopping that.
rivalries..
To be honest, I’d be more interested in Boston joining the division and renewing that rivalry. Definitely the Devils since the 90s tho number 1 rivalry for NYR.
by Jawns on Aug 2, 2011 8:16 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
we had a great rivalry with the caps
back when they were in the patrick division
it came out of a wild playoff series win (1986), two ugly, ugly playoff losses (1990 and 1991) and a five game domination in ’94
once the southeast division migration happened, that was the end of it
the bruins were one of the biggest rivals up to the 80s, to this day my uncle’s list of hated teams goes, in order, flyers, bruins, islanders
most rivalries ebb and flow depending on the level of competition between the teams and how often they play
@joereiter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?" - Lord General Sather
"Nobody knows anything" - William Goldman
Well I think that Caps rivalry is starting back up again…if the last couple of seasons are any testament
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
by Kevin Power on Aug 2, 2011 9:05 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
agreed
it’d really get back on track if they were in the same division
@joereiter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?" - Lord General Sather
"Nobody knows anything" - William Goldman
that would have gone down in history as one of the greatest moments in playoff history
…..if they hadn’t choked away a 3-0 lead
@joereiter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?" - Lord General Sather
"Nobody knows anything" - William Goldman
Gabby had big money against the Rangers that night. No other way to explain his actions at the end of the game.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Aug 2, 2011 9:55 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
That game was one of the worst nights of my life. I didn’t shake it for days.
"To everybody else we're underdogs, but we go in thinking we can handle any team in the NHL."
Brandon Prust, #8, New York Rangers
Me too
I sat in the dark after it ended by myself for about an hour before I moved
GET RIPPED
"We'll Win Tonight" - The Captain
same..
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
I drank myself into oblivion and the next morning I still remembered that game crystal clear, that was far worse than the game 7 memories that still haunt me.
by CrazyRangerFan on Aug 3, 2011 2:25 AM EDT up reply actions
What are the chances that the team moves to Brooklyn? Not that I want the ex isles closer to me than the Rangers but…
by louielounz1 on Aug 2, 2011 10:21 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Probably unlikely
as of right now. But things can certianly change over the course of time. The Islanders are still at the Coliseum until 2015.
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
"We can trade Lisin for a gun, then hold it to Drury’s head and make him waive the no-movement clause" - XLII
"Tortorelli sounds like a kind of pasta… an unforgiving, stubborn, chewy, flavorless pasta that demands ‘jam’ from other pastas." - Dig Deep
by Joe Fortunato on Aug 2, 2011 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Its a shame they didn't get support
From the standpoint of rivalries, the Rangers/Isles rivalry has been cold since the Great Sweep of 1994. The Islanders have become the leagues joke…taking that position away from the Maple Laffs. Nobody goes to see them play, they don’t put a com petative team out on the ice and haven’t for a very long time. Tavares will ultimately leave when he needs to re up in a couple of years and they will have nothing. I honestly would not like to see them move to Brooklyn or Queens. The City belongs to the Rangers. Go to Quebec or Kansas or Seattle if they have to leave LI.
Absolute Worst Ranger Fan!!!!!!....yet incredibly realistic and usually correct.
Islanders...
we don’t need no stinkin’ Islanders!
Send them to Seattle. Potvin Sucks!
"The winner of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award is Number Eight, Brandon Prust!"--Ofc. Colin McDonald, NYPD, April 7, 2011
Not that I really care what happens to the isles, but...
as mentioned above, why not move to brooklyn and play at the nets new arena? If people are so desperate to keep them here that seems like the most logical option.
did i call it or did i call it?
i think i know marty better than he knows himself
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said “Brooklyn is the only place” the Islanders should consider moving to. “The Islanders belong in Brooklyn,” he said. "We’ve got lots of hockey fans, and since we’re technically still on Long Island, they can call themselves the ‘Brooklyn Islanders.’
“If they come here, I would personally take the first spin on the Zamboni.”
@joereiter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?" - Lord General Sather
"Nobody knows anything" - William Goldman
What a great Jewish name :)
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
he’s actually an Eskimo
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
zamboni is jewish?
@joereiter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?" - Lord General Sather
"Nobody knows anything" - William Goldman
pizaa bagel!
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
Why the hell are the Isles staying through 2015 if they're losing $20+ million a year on that lease?
Why do people outside of Nassau county suddenly care what happens within it’s borders?
Why does the NHL (and NBA for that matter) insist on supporting unprofitable franchises?
What does a horse shoe do?
is anyone listening to me?
Were they saying "Boo" or "Boo-urns?"
@SlayerSantana on Twitter
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Blueshirt Banter
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Rangers Schedule
Next 5 Games
New Jersey
|
Sun 05/27 | TBA |
Last 5 Games
|
@
New Jersey
|
Fri 05/25 | OT - L 2 - 3 |
|
New Jersey
|
Wed 05/23 | L 3 - 5 |
|
@
New Jersey
|
Mon 05/21 | L 1 - 4 |
|
@
New Jersey
|
Sat 05/19 | W 3 - 0 |
|
New Jersey
|
Wed 05/16 | L 2 - 3 |
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Why the Devils and the Kings are evidence the Capitals shouldn’t trade Alex Ovechkin
- Eulogy: Remembering the 2011-12 New York Rangers
- Stanley Cup Final: 5 keys for New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings
- Friday’s Three Stars: Devils head to Final; Brodeur, Kovalchuk the difference in Game 6
- Devils eliminate Rangers in Game 6, ending fear of the past, setting course for the future
