Nets Would Welcome Islander Fans

by Net Income on Feb 23, 2012 12:30 AM EST in Brooklyn

The Nets intend to use their flirtation with the Islanders to market themselves and Barclays Center to Long Island which Brett Yormark calls "a core market and one we're going to be very aggressive going after, not just for the Nets but in general. There are a tremendous amount of possibilities in that marketplace.''

An October 2 preseason hockey game between the Islanders and Devils will be the first sports event at the arena, which Yormark said he hopes will be a "sampling opportunity'' for all concerned. "We'll see where it goes,'' he said.

The Islanders, of course, are looking for a new home. Their lease at Nassau Coliseum runs out in 2015 and although Barclays can only seat 14,500 for hockey, the Islanders are obviously interested. Yormark calls Islander owner Charles Wang a "friend" and and added, "We have an open line of communication with him.'

Barclays Center could be a good fit for Isles - Neil Best - New York Newsday
Photo Gallery: Construction of Nets arena in Brooklyn - Mario Gonzalez - New York Newsday
Barclays Center almost complete (Video) - Mario Gonzalez - New York Newsday

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Call me selfish, but I want the Barclays Center to be Home of the Brooklyn Nets.

Not Nets and Islanders. Nets banners and murals only. It’s like growing up and getting a new place to live, only to have a sibling move in. I guess its a Two and a Half Men reference.

by SteViePoPzBK on Feb 23, 2012 1:06 AM EST reply actions

Eh, you know what? I don't really care. I just want Dwight and a winning basketball team. Everything else is meaningless.

by SteViePoPzBK on Feb 23, 2012 1:08 AM EST up reply actions

same here. For the knicks and rangers it works for dolan since he owns both teams. This is just random.

by Rass on Feb 23, 2012 1:53 AM EST up reply actions

YES

Having the Nets and Isles in the same building would be perfect for me

I dont practice Santeria

by nets14 on Feb 23, 2012 1:11 AM EST reply actions

i knew it was coming

both teams with no building in NY area

by Aidar Berlinbayev on Feb 23, 2012 1:21 AM EST reply actions

So Upset

I checked here to read up on some juicy rumor about what was discussed during a possible Dwill/Dwight post-game dinner. But instead, I get…hockey…

by Trav235 on Feb 23, 2012 1:23 AM EST reply actions

It helps the Nets brand and I dont mind .... I guess Im an Isles fan ...lol who knew?

The Hardest thing for some men to do is .... Believe what they see!

by Benz Zito on Feb 23, 2012 1:23 AM EST reply actions

If anything I will be a devil fan!!brick city stand up.

by nets_heroe on Feb 23, 2012 1:44 AM EST via mobile reply actions

If anything I will be a devil fan!!brick city stand up.

by nets_heroe on Feb 23, 2012 1:44 AM EST via mobile reply actions

If anything I will be a devil fan!!brick city stand up.

by nets_heroe on Feb 23, 2012 1:44 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Isles mean more biz to the arena.

It would also mean making the Nassau Coliseum as insignificant as the Meadowlands Arena. Bringing the Isles in on a full time basis cements Brooklyn as the area’s 2nd most important venue. If they could land St. John’s hoops too (SJU originally had 2 campuses in Brooklyn) as well as a few post season tournaments (from whatever conference the current Big East basketball school forms after their future breakup) to the NCAA itself, then Brooklyn will also become a serious competitor to MSG too.

Opulence, I has it.

by J-Sal on Feb 23, 2012 2:38 AM EST reply actions

Russians and Ukrainians love their hockey...

Many Russians and Ukrainians live in Brooklyn and surrounding boroughs. Islanders might find new fan base already waiting for them when they move to Barclays Center.

I hope it will happen. Islanders need a change of scenery just like the Nets…

LETS GO BROOKLYN NETS + ISLANDERS !!!

by M I K E on Feb 23, 2012 9:28 AM EST reply actions

The most significant part of the article, to me

Was:

“Long Island for us is a core market and one we’re going to be very aggressive going after, not just for the Nets but in general,‘’ Yormark said. "There are a tremendous amount of possibilities in that marketplace.’’

As a LIer, there has been little to no overt wooing of the LI fan base so far with this Brooklyn move, and it has been very disheartening. I know that stands to change with the move, but I see all the focus on Brooklyn (and a bit in Queens, I think? a while ago?) but little on LI—which is by and large a Knicks haven. I hope the team cares to change that.

by brother_rat on Feb 23, 2012 9:29 AM EST reply actions