New York Islanders: Nassau County Says No to Arena, so What's Next Step?

Now that the residents of Nassau County have voted down the proposed arena and ballpark, it leaves the Islanders in no-man's land. Having already failed with the Lighthouse Project and now this latest attempt at a new arena, the Islanders have no where left to turn. 

Thanks to a whopping 5 percent turnout at the polls, the Islanders will probably be calling Kansas City, Quebec City, Hamilton or Ontario home in the year 2016 or sooner.  

For the third time in history the New York City metropolitan area will lose another sports franchise. The Brooklyn Dodgers bolted for Los Angels after Tom O'Malley couldn't get the city to allow him to build his new ballpark in Brooklyn. The Giants bolted right after they too couldn't get a new ballpark in the city for the aging Polo Grounds. Politics cost them then, and again some 60 years later in Long Island.

The Islanders have a great fan base, great history, but no place to call home.  Lets face it, the Nassau County Coliseum is a dump.  It has outlived most arenas and needs too be replaced.  After yesterday's election that will not happen.

I feel sorry for Charles Wang, who bought this team to keep it in Long Island. After spending millions and losing millions more, the community that cried for his help turned its back on the same person. 

Great job!

When the Islanders move out of New York, hockey will be done for me. No need to watch it on television after losing the best rivalry in New York. Yankees vs Mets or Giants vs Jets doesn't compare to Isles vs Rangers. Bitter division enemies and bitter playoff losses will be nothing but a memory.

I will like to thank Nassau residents for voting the Islanders out of Long Island. Hopefully they land in Brooklyn so I can at least watch players like Tavares, Streit, Okposo and Bailey raise a Stanley Cup in another city.