The Kansas City Islanders?!

ESPN is running this article today about Charles Wang, the "genius" owner of the New York Islanders who (along with his felon business partner) have succeeded at destroying a formerly elite NHL franchise while losing TONS of money because these friggin' nitwits can't even sell hockey in New York City!!! Hey, if the NHL had a chance to SELL you the Islanders again, maybe THEY would decline, citing that YOU KNOW NOTHING OF HOCKEY and ARE A COMPLETE INCOMPETENT!!

Either way, stories like this are fueling rumors of the Islanders moving to Kansas City; A city that doesn't mind supplying a fully completed stadium (The arena is already built!) for mediocre teams that rarely win titles (see Royals and Chiefs). We'll see what happens....the Kansas City Islanders would at least challenge the Utah Jazz for the worst team nickname in US sports :-)

Updated: May 3, 2009, 12:03 AM ET
Wang wouldn't buy Islanders again
-Associated Press

MELVILLE, N.Y. -- New York Islanders owner Charles Wang says he regrets buying the money-losing NHL team nine years ago.

"If I had the chance I wouldn't do it again," Wang told Newsday.

Citing the team's annual audited financial reports, Newsday reported Saturday on its Web site that Wang has spent $208.8 million -- an average of $23 million per year -- to keep the team operating. He also spent $74.2 million when he and Sanjay Kumar bought the club and assumed $97 million in liabilities.

"His numbers are real," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told Newsday. "Yes, we're aware the Islanders lose money, a significant amount of money. And it goes back to the team's need for a new arena."

Wang said he initially assumed Nassau Coliseum would either be refurbished or replaced within a few years, but his proposed $3.7 billion Lighthouse Project has been held up and is still under review by the Town of Hempstead.

"Never in my life, would I have anticipated this thing could be dragged out for seven, eight years," said Wang, the founder of Computer Associates.

An NHL-worst 26-47-9 this season, the Islanders will play a preseason game in September in Kansas City, Mo., prompting speculation about a move. Officials in Willets Point in Queens also have expressed interest in the team.

"I'm not saying I'll move," Wang said. "I'm saying I'll explore all my options."

Wang and Kumar, the former Computer Associates chief executive, bought the Islanders in 2000 for about $190 million. Wang bought out Kumar -- serving a 12-year prison term for a $400 million accounting fraud scandal -- in 2004.


Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press