Barclays Center's "experiment" that involved replacing the Islanders' traditional goal horn with a subway horn "is over," according to Allan Kreda of the N.Y. TIMES. When the Islanders open their first season at the arena, fans "will hear the celebratory sounds familiar from Nassau Coliseum: a fog horn blast followed by the 'Yes! Yes! Yes!' chant." The subway horns "were the product of a partnership between Barclays Center and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority." Three blasts were "heard by a sparse crowd" at Monday night's preseason game against the Capitals, and Islanders fans "instantly flocked to social media and various blogs with waves of vitriolic posts." Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark said, "If there was that much outcry, we decided, ‘Let’s continue to listen to the fans and make the change.’ The horn became a distraction" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/2). Yormark, appearing on ESPN Radio 98.7 N.Y.'s "The Michael Kay Show," said, "I'm not acquiescing to the Islanders fans, what I am doing is doing the right thing. And the right thing is welcoming the Islanders fans to Brooklyn, do it the right way, and we feel this is part of that process." He added, "I just want them to understand there has to be a balance of new and old in order to grow this fan base but also maintain the hardcore fan base that currently exists." Yormark: "The only two things that even speak of Brooklyn are our third jersey and this goal horn idea, and we will continue to explore ways to infuse a little Brooklyn. But I will do my best not to compromise any traditions" (NEWSDAY, 10/2). YAHOO SPORTS' Greg Wyshynski wrote the new goal horn was at best a "misguided tribute to the fact that the Islanders' new arena is more accessible by mass transit." At worst, it sounded "like a mosquito blowing into a party favor" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/1).
