7 replies to this topic

[warthog]

How Do the Kansas City Islanders Strike You?

By JOSH ALPER
NBC New York

Updated 12:30 PM EST, Thu, Jan 15, 2009


Kansas City, Kansas City here I come?

Let's face it, when your home arena is known as the Mausoleum, there's probably good reason to ask for another one. Islanders owner Charles Wang has been doing just that since buying the team in 2000, but there's been very little progress toward a new building. That's why a TSN report about the Islanders signing to play an exhibition game in Kansas City against the Kings should make Islander fans nervous about their team's future.

In 2007, the CEO of AEG, which owns the Sprint Center in Kansas City, offered the Penguins free rent if they relocated the franchise from Pittsburgh. The Penguins were desperate for a new arena at the time, and the city fathers were itching to give it to them. That's exactly how things are playing out in Long Island right now.

There's a plan called the Lighthouse Project on the boards right now, which would create a residential, commercial and entertainment complex on the site of the current Nassau Coliseum. The project, according to their web site, wouldn't cost Nassau County anything, but would provide thousands of jobs and increased tax revenues. The major drawback is the way that tax revenue is apportioned among surrounding communities as a result of expected increases in traffic congestion, noise pollution and other problems created by its construction.

While the project sounds like a winner for the region overall, it's worth wondering if it will make any difference to the Islanders. There are myriad entertainment options in Long Island and in New York City, of which the Islanders have long rated somewhere around a local bingo night. A new arena would likely mean higher prices for tickets and concessions, and wouldn't do much to spur interest in a team that's an afterthought to many locals.

That said, there are people who care deeply about the Islanders and it will take a project like this to keep them as part of the local landscape. As the Kansas City deal makes clear, there are other options for Wang if he should choose to cut ties to Long Island.

Copyright NBC Local Media©

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/sports/hockey/Ho...Strike-You.html

[HG]

I dunno. Are the Red Wingsd in the Islanders Division? THere are a bunch of Red Wing fans here. ANd that would be a bigger draw if they came here more often. I dont know much about it. But Id like to learn.

[AssKickingBoots]

HailGunther, on Jan 16 2009, 02:44 PM, said:

I dunno. Are the Red Wingsd in the Islanders Division? THere are a bunch of Red Wing fans here. ANd that would be a bigger draw if they came here more often. I dont know much about it. But Id like to learn.

No, they aren't even in the same Conference. Red Wings are in the Central Division of the Western Conference, the Islanders are in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Then again, I'd imagine they might restructure the divisions (swap a couple teams) and change the name (check out all of the Islanders of KC!).

I'll sound a bit like a traitor saying this, but my two teams are the Blues and the Red Wings. It's hard to be a fan of two perpetual rivals, but it makes for some interesting talk with my former roommate who is very similar (born in Michigan, #1 team is Detroit, #2 STL).

[westcoastkcfan]

I'd love it if the Isles moved to KC. Although this franchise has fallen with a lot of lean years, they have a rich history.

[T-Rich49]

we've been played like this before.approach with caution

[cbuschief]

If you even remotely like hockey, hang on to your dream. Not long ago, the only sport here was OSU football. Thanks to Mr. Hunt (founder of the Chiefs), we have the Columbus Crew (league champions) and thanks to John McConnel we have the Columbus Blue Jackets (hoping to see their first action in the playoffs this year). In the past couple of years I have grown to love hockey almost as much as football and am still learning the basics of the game. I love being able to go see a game without having to drive several hours away like I have to when it comes to pro football, and the players are so much more approachable than most football players that think they are god and don't want to be bothered by us lowly fans. So if you can help bring the sport to your home town, you won't be disappointed.

[HG]

AssKickingBoots, on Jan 16 2009, 05:45 PM, said:

I'll sound a bit like a traitor saying this, but my two teams are the Blues and the Red Wings. It's hard to be a fan of two perpetual rivals, but it makes for some interesting talk with my former roommate who is very similar (born in Michigan, #1 team is Detroit, #2 STL).

Damn! Thats the same as being a Chiefs and Raiders fan. What kind of a sick Fuck are you?

[Los Pollos Hermanos]

Um, there is no island in KC.