Speculation: Sound Tigers angling to move out of Bridgeport

[DarkHorse]

If you hadn't heard, the ballpark next to the Sound Tigers' arena (from the Ducks' league) is being redeveloped into an amphitheater by former Sound Tigers exec Howard Saffan and LiveNation....

http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Sound-Tigers-oppose-Ganim-s-amphitheater-11746123.php

"In a letter sent to City Hall Wednesday, Sound Tigers co-owner Jon Ledecky wrote that the change in uses at Harbor Yard — from baseball to entertainment — “will be a material breach†of the Tigers’ operating agreement with Bridgeport."

...

"“I therefore urge you to reconsider this course of action,†Ledecky wrote. “For if the city accepts the proposal, the Sound Tigers will be forced to exercise all of their rights under the operating agreement.â€"

======================

Perhaps the owners are looking to bring the Sound Tigers to the Coliseum...

Click to read more...

 

[periferal]

This is a strange story. First time I've heard Ledecky take such a strong stance on something and to protect a minor league ballpark? I'm not seeing how a musical amphitheater would have an adverse effect on the Sound Tigers - Especially since all the concerts would happen during the summer (not hockey season).

Oh and I might add - Making an enemy of Live Nation would be a very bad move.

 

[blitzkriegs]

This is a strange story. First time I've heard Ledecky take such a strong stance on something and to protect a minor league ballpark? I'm not seeing how a musical amphitheater would have an adverse effect on the Sound Tigers - Especially since all the concerts would happen during the summer (not hockey season).

Oh and I might add - Making an enemy of Live Nation would be a very bad move.

Unless you want to bring the STs to your new arena and do similar to what SJ has done with both its NHL and AHL team playing at the same arena...

LN already works wth Oak View...

 

[DarkHorse]

This is a strange story. First time I've heard Ledecky take such a strong stance on something and to protect a minor league ballpark?

That's what makes me think this is the team looking at it as a chance to break their lease and run. It feels like they saw a technicality and decided to hammer on it.

 

[DarkHorse]

Unless you want to bring the STs to your new arena and do similar to what SJ has done with both its NHL and AHL team playing at the same arena...

I was thinking more along the lines of a deal that says let us stay in Barclays til our stuff is settled and we'll move the Sound Tigers to the Coliseum.

 

[seafoam]

It's not even a minor league ball park, the Bluefish are in the Independent League.

And that stadium is a poorly maintained dump, and am embarrasment.

Source: I played there many times.

 

[seafoam]

Anyway, it is odd.

Lots going on behind the scenes in Islanderland.

 

[Strummergas]

I can see it now:

Sound Tigers move to the Coliseum to help give Barclays group a bigger name tenant in their "new" building, and in return, Barclays elects to keep the Islanders in Brooklyn on terms that are very favorable to the Islanders (although perhaps not quite as lucrative as the ones they currently have).

 

[MJF]

I was thinking more along the lines of a deal that says let us stay in Barclays til our stuff is settled and we'll move the Sound Tigers to the Coliseum.

That part doesn't really make sense. Breaking away from being BSE tenants for the Islanders and having the Sound Tigers become NSE tenants at the Coliseum?

 

[MJF]

It's not even a minor league ball park, the Bluefish are in the Independent League.

And that stadium is a poorly maintained dump, and am embarrasment.

Source: I played there many times.

Truth. I've been there a few times for Bluefish games over the years. The last time was last September. The place is most definitely suffering from a lack of care. Seems like the landlord just stopped taking care of the place.

 

[Beautvillier]

seems like a way out of the lease and i think putting the sound tigers in the coliseum wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[MarsTBOW]

How many Concerts does the Webster Bank Arena do? I can understand how having an Amphitheater on the same grounds would drain revenue and cause confusion when a show is scheduled to play there for people who may get confused. It's like owning a pizza place and having your landlord allow another owner to put another pizza place right next door. If their contract prohibits the use of the Ballpark for such uses, Ledecky may prevail if it goes to Court.

 

[xECK29x]

seems like a way out of the lease and i think putting the sound tigers in the coliseum wouldn't be a bad idea.

Sure wouldn't, would easily be one of the better attendance records in the AHL. I would go for sure.

 

[Sideshow Bob]

Does ledecky own the arena or just the team? if he owns the arena i can understand not wanting a competing concert venue next door. if he only owns the team then who cares? an outdoor concert venue would not operate during hockey season.

 

[DarkHorse]

Does ledecky own the arena or just the team? if he owns the arena i can understand not wanting a competing concert venue next door. if he only owns the team then who cares? an outdoor concert venue would not operate during hockey season.

Ledecky is a co-owner of Harbor Yards Sports and Entertainment, which manages the facility and books the events, while the city of Bridgeport owns the arena. Very similar to SMG's old agreement with Nassau County to run the Coliseum.

 

[SLAPSHOT723]

As someone who worked for the Sound Tigers and has been to many games there, it would be in their best interest to leave. What a dump of a town. The arena is solid, but poorly managed.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

As someone who worked for the Sound Tigers and has been to many games there, it would be in their best interest to leave. What a dump of a town. The arena is solid, but poorly managed.

I mean if they hired you I'd imagine it was poorly managed

 

[WagnerGrad96]

Putting them In the NVMC is a really really dumb idea. The Isles probably want absolutely nothing to do with Barclays or the NVMC. Let them play with the Isles at Belmont or put them in another middlesized city.

 

[Strummergas]

Putting them In the NVMC is a really really dumb idea. The Isles probably want absolutely nothing to do with Barclays or the NVMC. Let them play with the Isles at Belmont or put them in another middlesized city.

The Sound Tigers won't be going to Nassau if Belmont happens. But if the Isles stay at Barclays, it's kind of the perfect arrangement.

 

[KrisBeKreame]

The Sound Tigers won't be going to Nassau if Belmont happens. But if the Isles stay at Barclays, it's kind of the perfect arrangement.

I cant see the Islanders staying at Barclay's unless at minimum the freezer coils are fixed.

 

[Lord at War]

I cant see the Islanders staying at Barclay's unless at minimum the freezer coils are fixed.

The Barclays people where on Boomer and Carton a few months ago. They were open and willing to make changes to the coils to improve the ice conditions. Sound Tigers at Nassau would be great. Dolan can move the Rangers team to his Belmont Arena. Would make for a good minor league rivalry in Nassau county.

 

[Strummergas]

I cant see the Islanders staying at Barclay's unless at minimum the freezer coils are fixed.

Until there are shovels in the ground at Belmont, I'm not counting it out.

 

[KrisBeKreame]

Until there are shovels in the ground at Belmont, I'm not counting it out.

Its caused several injuries, I am very surprised the league hasn't said anything.

 

[CupHolders]

With regards to the Soundtigers moving to NVMC... may not really matter what the status of the Isles and Barclays partnership is at.

If rumor of Porhkov(sp.) selling Barclays and/or the Nets... could very well mean that NVMC will no longer be under their auspices.

Just ruminating... I have no sources.

 

[Strummergas]

Its caused several injuries, I am very surprised the league hasn't said anything.

Probably because it's not the only arena in the league with ***** ice. Islanders fans seem to ignore this fact.