Islanders co-Owner Steven Gluckstern said that he
"likely will refuse to return" to the Nassau Coliseum under
the current lease even if Spectacor Management Group (SMG)
fixes safety problems, according to Marc Berman of the N.Y.
POST. Gluckstern: "The courts can say things, the league
can say things. It's a determination we have to make as
owners of the team, not some third party." SMG President
Wes Westley said that the hoist holding the scoreboard "has
been replaced" and his company bought an upgraded model for
$150,000. Islanders President David Seldin, referring to
SMG failing to disclose an inspection on the hoist system:
"We've got a manager whom we firmly believe lied to us and
withheld information." An Isles statement said the team has
spoken with "a number of municipalities in the tri-state
area, including New York City" about relocating. Berman
adds that an NHL source said that the statement implied a
"permanent move," and talking to municipalities rather than
arena owners was a "big leap" (N.Y. POST, 9/17). Nassau
County Exec Thomas Gulotta will meet with Seldin and Westley
on Thursday. The NHL will not send a representative, but
plans to hire independent engineers to inspect the Coliseum
(N.Y. TIMES, 9/17). On L.I., a NEWSDAY editorial: "Did the
county move too slowly to address safety questions about the
equipment that secures the scoreboard overhead in the 25-
year-old Coliseum? The answer: Yes" (NEWSDAY, 9/17).
WHAT ABOUT THE FANS? The Islanders and the One on One
Sports Radio Network agreed to a one-year deal to carry
games on WJWR-AM, according to Steve Zipay of NEWSDAY. The
games will also be simulcast on WLUX-AM to reach more of
Long Island. WJWR-AM GM Jamie Rush: "We'll be broadcasting
all 82 regular-season games -- from where, I don't know yet"
(NEWSDAY, 9/17). In NY, Anthony McCarron writes under the
header "Islander Move Has Fans Up In Arms" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS,
9/17). Gluckstern, on the fans' patience with the off-ice
problems: "If you keep hitting someone across the face with
a two-by-four 50, 60, 70, 80 times, I'm sure they eventually
stop coming back" (John Valenti, NEWSDAY, 9/17).
