Truth & Rumors > NHL

TV may keep Islanders in New York

Views
4963
Comments
21

05:47 AM ET 01.23 | The fate of the New York/Kansas City/Saskatoon Islanders has gripped Long Island in recent days, and understandably so, because really, what other institution can we rally around? What role does television play in all this? A large one, as always is the case in pro sports. rst of all, if the Islanders ever do leave, they must take into account a big drop in TV rights fees. No one doubts owner Charles Wang is absorbing huge losses, but the blow is softened by $20 million or so per season that MSG Media pays to carry Islanders games in a deal that runs until 2030-31 -- that's not a typo, folks -- by which time the rights fee will rise to about $36 million. There would be no such contract in the much smaller Kansas City market -- certainly not in dollars and presumably not in length. So that is a strong incentive for the Isles not to leave. But no matter what many Islanders fans think about their team's relative status at MSG, the fact is, in business terms, Cablevision and MSG have reason to strongly prefer they stick around.

New York Newsday

Bruno Gervais, AP Bruno Gervais, AP

Comments (0) Add A Comment

Comment

Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.


Truth & Rumors

MOST POPULAR

  1. 1
    Bird rips team, spells Pacers 'S-O-F-T'
    Views
    21052
    Comments
    1553
  2. 2
    Today's game too dangerous for Brady's dad
    Views
    25395
    Comments
    893
  3. 3
    Rivera still awaiting surgery
    Views
    2862
    Comments
    679
  4. 4
    Eagles' Graham: 'I'm a bust'
    Views
    1255
    Comments
    288
  5. 5
    Yankees up for sale?
    Views
    11153
    Comments
    245

Most Active Users

Comments + Blog Posts + Throwdowns

  1. 1
    Chico Retired #1
  2. 2
    BBK II
  3. 3
    rstowe-GONE
  4. 4
    gigi_the next TC winner?
  5. 5
    Never NDing Struggle

Blogs

SI.com

SI Photos

100 Memorable Olympic Moments100 Memorable Olympic Moments
The Phenomenal Bryce HarperThe Phenomenal Bryce Harper

SI Writers

Top Stories