Kansas City Islanders?

[The Poz]

Let the rumors begin:

http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/darren_...headlines_main

DREGER: ISLANDERS GOING TO KANSAS CITY FOR A GAME

The New York Islanders are going to Kansas City.

The Islanders have agreed in principle with the Los Angeles Kings to play an exhibition game in Kansas City in September.

This may not seem like that big of a deal in light of the fact other NHL teams have used Kansas City in recent years as a neutral cite for preseason games.

However, according to league sources this game could be perceived as a veiled threat of potential relocation if plans for a new arena on Long Island aren't soon finalized.

Since purchasing the team in 2000, Charles Wang (a Long Island resident who has built most of his businesses there) has refused to threaten to move the franchise if he didn't get an arena deal. However, it's believed Wang is growing frustrated by the fact there has been little progress by local politicians on the Lighthouse Project and Wang's plan to transform Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and surrounding 100-plus acres.

The New York Islanders are nowhere close to moving. But, according to some this mere exhibition game in Kansas City will be considered a major wakeup call to Long Islanders (and their community leaders) who allegedly think the team will stay without a new arena deal.

The Sprint Center in Kansas City is operated by AEG, whose CEO Tim Leiweke is a governor of the Los Angeles Kings.

In 2007, Leiweke made a strong play for the Pittsburgh Penguins, offering Pens ownership free rent at the Sprint Center if the team, mired at the time in a similar arena debate, moved to Kansas City.

Scare tactics worked in this case because in March of 2007 the Penguins and government officials agreed on a $290 million arena deal to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh.

Shortly after the decision to stay in Pittsburgh was made Leiweke expressed his desire to the Kansas City Star to bring an NHL franchise to the city:

"I hoped things would move more quickly. But no teams have moved since we started on the building. It's very competitive out there. Municipalities don't want to lose their teams."

The New York Islanders don't want to leave Long Island, however as this negotiation with local politicians drags on the potential for speculation to become reality will grow as well.

[Crybaby Power]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Your schtick is already old... I think you need trolling lessons from MV.

dont know of what "schtick" you speak of

[Dayze]

I hate NBA; boring as sin. I think they need to move the rim up to around 18'.

seeing a 7' dude dunk isn't really that impressive.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by dayzeofthenew

I hate NBA; boring as sin. I think they need to move the rim up to around 18'.

seeing a 7' dude dunk isn't really that impressive.

NBA is a thousand times better in person.

[Kyle DeLexus]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

NBA is a thousand times better in person.

Hockey is the #1 live sporting even in my opinion. I like to watch NBA games and all but the only times that really matter are at the ends of the halves. I hate watching millionaires walk up and down the court.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by MWagg72

Hockey is the #1 live sporting even in my opinion. I like to watch NBA games and all but the only times that really matter are at the ends of the halves. I hate watching millionaires walk up and down the court.

I agree but those who say NBA sucks, need to see it person. It really is alot better than on tv.

[blaise]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

I really wouldnt read too much into exhibition games.

Nobody cares about exhibition games from out of town teams. Why should they care??

I'm not saying they should care, just that the results were similar.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by dayzeofthenew

I hate NBA; boring as sin. I think they need to move the rim up to around 18'.

seeing a 7' dude dunk isn't really that impressive.

The NBA is by far the biggest waste of talent of any sports league at any level. If the NBA was about talent and not flopping and free throw shooting, I'd probably watch it more than other sports.

I watched a few playoff games last year... up to the point where Paul Pierce was sort of driving on LeBron James, and they BOTH flopped backwards (note to floppers: if two of you are running in the same direction, flop in the same direction ). Even LeBron James' most unbelievable shot came when he was trying to draw a foul.

It's a disgrace.

[Sully]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

KC has historically had the highest NHL tv ratings of any non-NHL city.

I've seen empty seats at the last two CBE Classics when local teams weren't involved, so that must mean we don't like college basketball.


The Islanders have been rumored to be moving for the last few years... eh.

I was disagreeing with his opinion of NHL in I'd. I think it would be great here. And sure they'd be leaving a huge market, but they are also splitting that market with 3 other teams.