I have gotten some notes from some people that said I may have crossed the line on the fans not showing up. Please allow me to state my case a little more carefully.
I have NO issues with people that have problems with affording season tickets or ticket prices in general. That thought NEVER crossed my mind. I know that prices for games are exorbanent. Single game costs are tough. I think that the Isles are trying to intice with the free kids tickets and other things. But Goose (and you know who you are…), you are NOT the reason for the RANT. Season ticket prices did NOT go up, and they are in some cases, 60% of the price of the retail ticket. However, I would never criticize anyone for not going because they can not afford it.
However, there ARE people that CAN afford it, but just refuse to show. DO YOU WANT YOUR TEAM STILL TO PLAY HERE????? Well, we’re waiting. Everyone criticizes CW for his crazy antics and all that other crap, but this man has lost 100 Million Dollars to keep YOUR team here!
Just THINK of that… 100 FREAKING MILLION DOLLARS! Anyone who does NOT say that he/she DOES NOT CARE, should be brought out to a firing line, and SHOT! I do not agree with all that Charles does; frankly, I don’t think anyone does. However, he is doing what he can to keep this team here. And you know what, we are one point from FREAKING FIRST PLACE! It is totally HORRIBLE how so many seats are vacant. If we were 2-8-1-1, that would be a story that I can not defend. But we are 5-4-1-1. C’mon folks, where the HELL are you! Support this team! You wonder why we are the laughing stocks? It is not for the play, or even the GM changes. It is the fact that Islander fans (in most cases - notice - I prefaced myself), DONT SHOW UNLESS THEY ARE WINNING. That is a sentence that is 100% true.
Remember, Charles is dealing with an crumbling arena, that he wants so much to rebuild, and the County is shoving pokers in his butt, to keep construction people away. He gets NOTHING on CONCESSIONS, NOTHING on PARKING and has to shell out huge percentages on EVERY TICKET sold. How would you like THAT deal, and try to make MONEY? That is why the prices are the way they are. He doesn’t like it, but in order to KEEP THIS TEAM here, that is what has to be done.
Sorry if you are upset with me, or disagree, but this is MY BLOG, and MY OPINIONS! And if you talk to many of the FAITHFUL that were in the building last night, they believe the SAME THING! I know that we have great fans that can not show at games for whatever reason. However, when we are LAST in attendance, and people are moaning and groaning about Garth. Mr. Snow is NOT the problem. He is not the reason why ticket prices are so high. He has the job of getting the best players that we can, and overseeing the hockey side of the equation. It is not Ted Nolan’s fault. Actually, he is doing a TREMENDOUS job, and I would love to see someone tell me he ISN’T???
I just get so tired of people moaning and groaning about everything with this team. If you don’t like it - go over to NJ, or Manhattan. If you can’t afford it - that’s one thing, and I can respect and honor that. Paying the bills, feeding the kids, and making ends meet is more important that going to a sporting event. But if you have the capabilities and you decide to protest and don’t come - sorry to say, but you are idiotic! That is my opinion and I am STICKING to it! If you care to discuss it, I can be reached on the New York Hockey Report talk show on the Internet (www.nyhockeyreport.com) at 8:05 PM tonight. The number is (877) 913-9739. I would love to discuss it with you. Or see me at Gate 3 Saturday night. I am open to discussion.
Gary
Posted under Ramblings
This post was written by Gary Harding on November 1, 2006
I have to agree here. Yes, tickets might be expensive compared to other sports and there are certainly priorities in life, but Islander fans seem to be great at complaining and putting management down, but not at standing behind and supporting the team. There is no reason for a half-full arena. If we were stinking up the NHL, yeah, you could “understand” lack of fan participation, but this team is not doing badly at all.
The bottom line is people have to start putting their money where their mouths are. Yes, ownership has done some questionable things, but it appears to me that the effort is for keeping hocky here on the island for the long term. I think folks have to start giving ownership a reason to do so and stop complaining about everything. I am a frustrated and annoyed fan myself who badly misses the “glory days of past”, but I also believe that we can recapture that glory and this current team is great strides towards that goal.
Very well said Gary, this team needs our support more than ever right now!
I dont have season tickets or a partial plan because i am still in school and can only pay game by game and not all up front. And last night i couldnt go, but ya know what i go whenever i get the chance, and dont agree with what wang did. As much as we hate them, did rag fans not go because Dolan sucks. Wang is 50x better than Dolan is and so far every year but 2 he has had better results while losing 100m instead of gaining 200m and this is the thanks we give him PATHETIC!
Understand dylan….
I dont fault someone like you that can only go when he has the $$. It is the long term people that can afford it and only go when they win, and then let everyone else think that they go ALL THE TIME. There are thousands of idiots like that. It is those that I want to smack over the head with my Louisville TPS.