The Islanders "backed up several trucks" to Nassau
Coliseum and "moved out" one day after filing a lawsuit
against facility manager SMG, according to Monte Young of
NEWSDAY. The team will move to its offices in Manhattan,
but will not practice or play in the Coliseum claiming
"unsafe conditions." Young notes sources who call the move
part of the team's "legal maneuvering" to "prove" the
building is unsafe. Sources added that the Isles "are
exploring the option" of playing at MSG, the Hartford Civic
Center, New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum or
Philadelphia's First Union Spectrum (NEWSDAY, 9/11). In
N.Y., Ralph Vacchiano writes that playing in the Meadowlands
or Philadelphia's First Union Center are "other options."
Meanwhile, Nassau County Exec Thomas Gulotta sent a letter
to SMG and the team "declaring his intention 'to exercise
all legal avenues'" to keep the Islanders on L.I. (N.Y.
DAILY NEWS, 9/11). New York Sports Ventures spokesperson
Gary Lewi: "We are aggressively looking at our options to
find a safe, convenient and accessible environment for our
fans" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/11). Also in N.Y., Marc Berman calls
the Islanders' move out of Nassau Coliseum "one of the most
bizarre scenes in professional sports" (N.Y. POST, 9/11).
