The Islanders Come to Barclays, Long Island Fans Feel Betrayed

Long Island hockey team The Islanders are moving from their Nassau County home to the Barclays Center, and many devoted fans feel betrayed.

This is a significant gain for the Barclays Center which, despite already being home to the Brooklyn Nets, has not yet proven as profitable as it is popular.

Despite the team’s new home being just 30 miles from their former Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum arena, and technically remaining on Long Island, many longtime fans are displeased. (Perhaps Long Island’s relationship to Brooklyn is similar to Upstate’s with Manhattan?)

The Islanders opened their season Friday.

To get Brooklynites excited about the new team, Barclays executives, the City Parks Foundation, and the borough president’s office have partnered to create a street hockey program aimed at Brooklyn’s parks and youth.

Only time will tell if Brooklynites will rally around the Islanders or treat them like just another fresh transplant.

[Source: NYT | Photo: NHL]

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