You know things aren't quite right when the Islanders are front-page news a month after their season ends.
And yet, today, that's exactly what happened. Charles Wang launched his latest PR initiative yesterday, stating that if he had to do it over again, he wouldn't have bought the Islanders. Seeing as how he's lost nearly $300 million since buying the team a decade ago, I can't say I blame him.
Now, this shouldn't be interpreted as "regret", as many media outlets have described Wang's statement. Sure, part of him probably wishes he hadn't bought the team and assumed the Lighthouse would have been take care of years ago. But not unlike the exhibition game in Kansas City, this is mainly geared towards getting a reaction out of people. Islanders fans shouldn't panic; if anything, they should be more behind Wang than ever. Would any of us stick with the Islanders despite losing in excess of $20 million a year? Doubtful.
Wang has made it clear that if a resolution hasn't been reached by the start of next season, he will have to consider his options. Fair enough. But it'd be a shame if Charles Wang has to cut his very considerable losses and move the team due to politics.
Okay, yeah, I am panicking... I admit it. It doesn't help that I hear the constant taunting of Ranger fans about it.
ReplyDeleteWhen you come down to it, though, you can't deny that the Islanders are an institution on Long Island and there'd be a tremendous amount of dissent if Wang did explore a relocation.
An institution that receives 8,000 paying customers a night!
ReplyDeleteNot an insult... it's true. It is no longer an institution, maybe in the 80s, but now, not that many people would care.
Leave it to a Ranger fan to say that no one would care if they moved.
ReplyDeleteI'm tired of the BS. I'm tired of those who complain that Charles Wang doesn't care about hockey.
If he didn't care about hockey, why would he create a hockey iniative in China? Why would he let his daughter PLAY the sport?
The Lighthouse project isn't about hockey. It's about the viability of Long Island in a bad economy.