League announces New York Islanders move to Brooklyn in 2015 -NHL Update
After much anticipation, it looks like the New York Islanders are finally moving as National Hockey League (NHL) Commissioner Gary Bettman and franchise owner, Charles Wang, made it official that they are moving to Brooklyn in 2015.
The NHL might not be expanding in terms of number of teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences, but professional hockey will be entering a new stage as Brooklyn will get their very own franchise to follow.
Reaching a deal to play in the newly built, world class Barclays Center, Charles Wang is confident that it is the best possible move for the team.
"Our goal from the outset was to have the Islanders play in a local, world-class facility that possesses the amenities our fans deserve," Wang said in announcing the new partnership with Barclays Center. "I'm happy to announce we achieve that goal with today's
announcement."
Since the team will remain on Long Island, fans can continue following their favourite team but it will also be much better for them due to the best possible facility and greater area around the region.
"I know [Wang] has spent the better part of a decade in pursuit of a new local home for the Islanders because he is as passionate about this area," Bettman said. "To finally be in position to say to New York Islander fans you don't have to worry about the
future of this club, the club is staying local, you'll be able to get to it easily -- for us, for Islander fans, I know for Charles and [Barclays Center majority owner and developer] Bruce Ratner is a dream come true."
Seating capacity is reported to be more than 15,000 at one time along with facilities of the best quality.
Reports began to emerge about a possible transition nearly a year ago, but the news was finally made official on Wednesday, October 24, 2012.
New York Islanders and Charles Wang also tried getting public funding for a new arena in the area they are already in, but failed to woo the local council into approving it as a referendum was also held for that cause, earlier this year.
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