Source: Six Municipalities Interested in Moving the New York Islanders

At least six municipalities will line up as suitors and attempt to bring in the New York Islanders if the NHL franchise opens itself up to offers of a new home, a league source has informed FanHouse.

More Coverage: Who Might Be Interested?

October 3 -- the date of the Islanders' home opener -- is the deadline set by team owner Charles Wang for resolution from the Town of Hempstead on the Lighthouse Project, the major development of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where the Isles play, and surrounding property. In light of the latest setback -- a billing dispute between the Lighthouse Development Corp. and Town planning firm Frederick P. Clark & Associates -- the likelihood of Wang getting his "certainty" from Hempstead in less than a month becomes smaller.

If Wang authorizes his staff to listen to offers from municipalities outside Nassau County on Oct. 4, it appears he will have plenty of options. As previously reported, leaders in Queens County, N.Y. and Kansas City are two of the Islanders' potential suitors. The source refused to identify the other municipalities that are said to have expressed preliminary interest in being in business with the National Hockey League.

For now, Hamilton, Ontario has been ruled out as a destination for the Islanders. A spokesperson for Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie told FanHouse, "At this juncture, I can confirm Jim's only interest is in purchasing the Phoenix Coyotes and relocating them to Hamilton."

A re-zoning hearing for the Lighthouse Project with the Town of Hempstead is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 22 -- ironically, the same day the Islanders play a preseason game against the Kings in Kansas City. Lighthouse insiders are frustrated by the Town's delays, the latest being the dispute with the town's planning firm that has halted work on the project.

Faced with an Aug. 17 deadline for public comment on the Lighthouse, all of the New York State and Nassau County agencies delivered on their promises to fast-track their approvals. These include the State Department of Transportation and County Department of Health. Said one Lighthouse insider: "The Town talks a lot about how fast they are moving. The reality is that everyone else, including all the state and county agencies, met their commitments. With the Town, it's just one excuse and one delay after another."

Since purchasing the Islanders in April of 2000, Wang has been steadfast in wanting to keep the team in Nassau County and on Long Island. On Oct. 4, the eyes of Islanders fans -- and municipalities in search of an NHL franchise -- will be on Wang to see if he explores his options.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-09-2009 @ 9:07AM

Vlad from Brooklyn said...

I refuse to believe that my beloved Islanders will move. Their place and home on Long Island. Eventhough if they move to Queens it will be more convenient for me to get to see more games, I still want them to stay. Let there be the Lighthouse!

9-09-2009 @ 9:49AM

Fear said...

6. How about naming them? Queens is a wreck. anyone check that lately. Wang himself admitted that KC was not feasible.

9-09-2009 @ 9:56AM

mogul1010 said...

They are not going anywhere. The town of Hempstead would have their image tarnished forever if that happened. Kate Murray might have her house burned down. The odds of them moving are slim to none. I understand the concern, but they are going absolutely nowhere.

9-09-2009 @ 11:10AM

Grer The Sarcastic Bastard said...

Can't see them moving to Queens, having already built two stadiums, & not being able to get the Brooklyn project off the ground. I believe an 11th hour deal will get done, but wouldn't be surprised if they leave NY altogether.

9-09-2009 @ 11:24AM

DP said...

Sorry to read that it's come to this, but glad there is interest in the team. They will always be the NY Islanders to me no matter where they call home. If Nassau becomes a complete no go, I'd love to see them in Queens near city field; then they are accessible via LIRR and it becomes less of an issue getting to the game and worrying about others pulling a DWI.

9-09-2009 @ 11:25AM

ekip84 said...

The Islanders arent moving anywhere. The Lighthouse is going to be approved and it will be a great day on Long Island! For any reason that it does not get approved shortly, atleast Wang has many options to toy with right in Kate Murray's face....Queens being one.

9-09-2009 @ 11:36AM

tigmet said...

I posted this link to Kate Murray's Facebook page. Everyone should join that page, and make your support of the Lighthouse known in an intelligent, articulate manner.

9-09-2009 @ 11:44AM

Travelchic59 said...

Love your work, CB, but I must admit I get skeptical when "sources" refuse to go on the record.

9-09-2009 @ 12:09PM

cmi422 said...

I think it is going come down to the wire but the lighthouse project will done in the end.

9-09-2009 @ 12:17PM

Bring back the cup said...

If they are leaving LI and that dump of an arena, Queens would make a lot of sense. It is technically still on Long Island, there is plenty of parking and there is mass transit. It makes no sense for TOH to drag its feet on this. What do they think they are going to get there?

9-09-2009 @ 12:38PM

WestCoastFan said...

I don't know... CW's a guy of principles. Every remembers the Bergenheim incident, and I remember reading in the Fishsticks book that an Islanders assistant coach under Laviolette was let go simply because he continued to ask for a 3-year extension instead of accepting Wang's one-year offer. This guy doesn't screw around.

9-09-2009 @ 1:33PM

Dylan said...

Could a dome possibly be put on Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens?

9-09-2009 @ 1:45PM

joe said...

Money talks. Charles Wang's main objective is to win money. He cares about the Islanders but he also cares about the real estate. The lease the Isles have been in has really hurt them in recent years and unless this thing gets passed I firmly believe that anything is possible (Queens, Suffolk, KC, Canada, etc).

9-09-2009 @ 2:40PM

Jah Love said...

How rediculous. Wang is waving the money around to get this done, yet they want to get in the way! DUH! If it gets done we can welcome LI and the Islanders to modern world. Go visit any other "Arena District" and see what they have, and you will be looking at where the Lighthouse aims to be and then some! http://www.arenadistrict.com/ Columbus, OH -It also includes practice rink to watch Training camp, and high school tourneys, and the state of the art Huntington Field minor league baseball. Wake up ToHempstead.

9-09-2009 @ 5:15PM

Merrick said...

At the end of the day, I have come to the conclusion that the Islanders are nothing more than a loss-leader for Mr. Wang's real estate development plans. That doesn't mean that he does not care at all about the team--it just means that this is not his primary concern--and that's his right.

Thus, the only issue that really matters on October 3 is the present value of: 1) selling the Islanders to another owner in another municipality; 2) the speculative estimated gains from development at the NVMC and surrounding area if the Lighthouse project is approved; and 3) the value of the Islanders in a new building in Queens or Brooklyn.

As for KC, in a very unscientific survey, I was there this past weekend and saw two Royals games. At both games, I decided to wear prominent Islanders gear to see if I'd get any reaction from the locals. Now, while I respect Midwestern modesty and understand that not all baseball fans are hockey fans--but I got nary a peep from anyone about hockey. Indeed, if you asked anyone what they thought about getting a hockey team (the Isles in particular), nobody was aware that this was even an issue. God help the person who buys this team and brings it Kansas City.

9-09-2009 @ 7:16PM

BillyBC said...

Honestly I would like to see the Isles in Queens instead. It would be better for the viability of the franchise. We have a good fanbase but the reality is, the Isles would get better press and attendance in Queens. Nassau fans and politicians have had there chance and their time has passed in my opinion.

I would die if they moved out of NY though, that is not good for the NHL and not good for NY

9-09-2009 @ 9:27PM

mickeyboy7 said...

I'm afraid the ship may have sailed. It's only a matter of time for the end of our beloved franchise. Greed and politics spell doom. I've never felt so pessimistic.

9-10-2009 @ 6:51AM

Pete said...

Bring them to Queens!

Put them right next to Citi Field and create a shared parking lot design similar to that of Philly's Lincoln Field/Citizens Bank Park/Wachovia Center design.

It would be the best thing that ever happened to this franchise, because I don't think a new arena and business is sustainable in West Hempstead. Not without mass transit.

9-10-2009 @ 4:22PM

isles316 said...

I think that this can be done. However, Lighthouse supporters need to come together and put pressure on Kate Murray again. I do know that if the Islanders leave and the Coliseum is vacant, Kate Murray's career will be over.