Islanders' New Arena Bid Fails

[WEFFPIM]

The NHL is on borrowed time on Long Island

Nassau County residents voted down a $400 million referendum in Monday's special election that could have led to the construction of a new home for the New York Islanders.

The referendum failed in a 33,526 to 24,553 vote Monday in what elections officials said was a very low turnout for the unusual midsummer election.

"I have to tell you I'm disappointed," team owner Charles Wang said during a concession speech at the team's media reception. "And, to put it bluntly, I'm heartbroken."

County officials who supported the effort said a yes vote was needed to give officials enough time to build a replacement for the aging Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum before the Isles' lease expires in 2015. Without a new building, Wang has said he may have to move the team out of Nassau County, either to another site on Long Island or to another market.

Turnout was extremely light on Monday as only about 15 percent of residents turned out to vote before polls closed at 9 p.m. Bad weather in the afternoon and trouble with Long Island Rail Road service may have contributed to low turnout, according to observers.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=5855 ... -headlines

[Nolan]

I'm not suprised at all. Wang wanted the county to cover the entire cost of the arena and their's no way they were going to do that. Wang's going to have too put up some of his own money if he wants to keep the team in Long Island.

[ajaX82]

I hear Atlanta needs a team

[sh00n]

I hear Quebec City needs a team

Which I hope doesn't happen, because I always hated the NoDicks. And with the rumors of the Expos coming back to Montreal, I'd much rather see the money going there instead.

[WEFFPIM]

And with the rumors of the Expos coming back to Montreal, I'd much rather see the money going there instead.

Um, what?

[OldNo7]

Wang is a Wang. He is the worst owner in professional sports.

[Nolan]

Wang is a Wang. He is the worst owner in professional sports.

Ya he's a moron.

[ajaX82]

And with the rumors of the Expos coming back to Montreal, I'd much rather see the money going there instead.

Um, what?

Yeah, what rumor of the Expos returning? I have never heard a single thing like that

[WEFFPIM]

There is no reason why MLB would want to return to Montreal.

[Nolan]

^
This is the first i've heard of the Expo\s returning and it just sounds like a horrible idea. If the MLB was going to put another team in Canada the only city I see it having a chance of working in is Vancouver.

[WEFFPIM]

Vancouver would be the only other Canadian city that I would even consider having an MLB team. Montrealeans (sic?) can be pissed at how they were screwed after the '94 strike and the league owning them, but a team will not work there again. Not without a building that doesn't suck and someone who actually wants to own that team.

[sh00n]

Yeah, because guys outside Montreal would hear about it before someone in Montreal does, right?

If it does happen, they would play at the Hippodrome until the Big O gets knocked down and they build a new arena.

[trwi7]

I don't think anybody is questioning that you heard it, we're just questioning how legitimate it is. Is it an expansion team or a team being relocated? If it's a team relocating, what team is it? Where did you hear that there's possibly an MLB team coming to Montreal?

[WEFFPIM]

Yeah, because guys outside Montreal would hear about it before someone in Montreal does, right?

Quite possibly, actually.

A quick Google search brings up one story about a guy saying the city could support a team. That's it. That's not a rumor, that's not even speculation. It's just a news blurb. Until some legitimate sources come out saying there's a group ready to buy the Rays and move them north, or there's firm plans for a stadium that doesn't suck, the Expos are not returning. And even if those two happen? Once again, why would the league go back there?

Hey, look who derailed another thread.

[sh00n]

A quick Google search brings up one story about a guy saying the city could support a team. That's it. That's not a rumor, that's not even speculation. It's just a news blurb. Until some legitimate sources come out saying there's a group ready to buy the Rays and move them north, or there's firm plans for a stadium that doesn't suck, the Expos are not returning. And even if those two happen? Once again, why would the league go back there?

Hey, look who derailed another thread.

Hey, look who keeps talking about the derailed subject. If you're going to be a smartass, at least remember to stay true to the first portion of the word next time. Montreal Gazette - it's been reported multiple times and discussed to death for about 2 weeks now. I think that would be more reliable than your "quick Google search".

I don't think anybody is questioning that you heard it, we're just questioning how legitimate it is. Is it an expansion team or a team being relocated? If it's a team relocating, what team is it? Where did you hear that there's possibly an MLB team coming to Montreal?

I don't know, and I could care less. All that's been said is the chances are high we see the Expos back in Montreal by the time 2014 rolls around, as the MLB is reportedly looking to expand and there's a few businesses in Montreal looking to pull in a team that's already in the MLB. The games would be at the Hippodrome - with the only problem being that it's closer to the West Island and some fans may not be willing to go out there to watch the games. There are, however, some spots around the city that have the space and means to build a new arena.

We'll see. I just love that I never said it was happening - I said the rumor has been discussed, in Montreal's biggest paper, no less - and people like to jump down from their thrones right away claiming how ridiculous it is when they don't even have the information, nor do they live in the city.

[WEFFPIM]

You're right, my apologies for me being a d***.

But the Expos still aren't returning. At least not in Major League form. MLB has no reason to go back there, not the least of which that they aren't looking to expand at all, but realign.

[trwi7]

Hey the thread is already derailed so I might as well derail it further. I think MLB should expand. Charlotte, Nashville, Vancouver, Portland and Inland Empire would be my choices. One in the East, one in West. It makes it much easier to make divisions with 32 teams.

[WEFFPIM]

They should put a team in Chicago, they haven't had one since 2005.

Also, to get the thread back on topic, Queens, Brooklyn and Suffolk County have all shown interest in the Islanders. I've always thought Queens made the most sense for this team.

[Nolan]

They should put a team in Chicago, they haven't had one since 2005.

Also, to get the thread back on topic, Queens, Brooklyn and Suffolk County have all shown interest in the Islanders. I've always thought Queens made the most sense for this team.

Definitely agree with you. The Islanders might be leaving long island but I really doubt that they leave New York.

[WEFFPIM]

Queens is technically on Long Island. So is Brooklyn.