Islanders Airing Games In Mandarin, Investing In China

Islanders Offering Game Broadcasts In Mandarin

The Islanders have begun telecasting their games on FSN N.Y. in Mandarin, and by the end of the season, the team hopes to have “at least one of their games telecast in China,” according to Dave Caldwell of the N.Y. TIMES. Beginning with this past Saturday's Thrashers-Islanders game, viewers can now press the SAP button on their remotes to hear play-by-play announcer Alex Peng and analyst Justin Chang call games in Mandarin. Islanders Senior VP/Sales, Marketing & Operations Chris Dey said, “It’s a great opportunity for the Islanders to take a leadership position in extending the game.” The venture is part of Islanders Owner Charles Wang’s “efforts to deliver hockey to China.” Wang, who was born in Shanghai, launched Youth Hockey Project Hope in Harbin and Qiqihar in Northern China. Dey said that eight rinks have been built on school campuses in the region, and eight more are under construction. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said, “While not a traditional hockey market, it’s great that someone with the relationships and expertise that [Wang] has is trying to create some preliminary interest” (N.Y. TIMES, 12/1).