The Barclays Center group attempting to win a bid to renovate the Nassau Coliseum has no plans to build an Islanders bar at the arena. It just intends to bring the actual Islanders.
Sources said the Barclays group believes Islanders fans will find it a lot more appealing to see live Islanders games at the arena instead of old hockey sticks on the wall of a sports bar.
The Garden is attempting to link the Coliseum to Islanders’ lore by reportedly adding an Islanders-themed sports bar to its proposal.
Sources close to Barclays Center/Brooklyn Nets CEO Brett Yormark said he is delighted he has the Garden on defense in its bid.
Appealing to Islanders fans has become central in the battle to renovate the out-of-date Uniondale arena.
The Barclays group plans to stage six Islanders games annually at the Coliseum after the team moves to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center in 2015-16.
The Garden’s bid does not contain that element, because Barclays likely would block such a maneuver rather than willingly give up games in Brooklyn, according to sources. The Garden’s proposed Coliseum bar, “The Sports Zone,” would contain Islanders memorabilia, according to James Dolan-owned Newsday. Former Islanders would donate items but “Islanders’’ would not be in the bar’s title.
There are two other bids in addition to the Garden and Barclays’ proposals to redevelop the Coliseum — one of which would completely tear down the Coliseum.
Bruce Ratner’s $229 million plan, the only one that virtually can assure playing Islanders games at the arena, would have a new seating capacity of 13,000. The only hitch is whether the NHL will approve the Islanders playing in a building with such a limited capacity.
Cosmos gala to honor stars
The New York Cosmos are returning to the North American Soccer League this summer, and to kick off their season they are hosting a gala Aug. 1 at Gotham Hall to honor their icons Pelé, Carlos Alberto Torres and the family of Giorgio Chinaglia.
All proceeds will benefit HELP USA, New York’s largest provider of homes, jobs and services to homeless families, veterans, and victims of domestic violence. HELP is run by Maria Cuomo-Cole — wife of fashion mogul Kenneth Cole, sister of N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and daughter of former Gov. Mario Cuomo.
Ostriches, camels off to races
Camel and ostrich racing returns to the Meadowlands Racetrack Saturday. The first event will take place after Race 6 (8:51 p.m.) and the second event after Race 10 (10:08 p.m.).
Cyclones to hold hurricane benefit
MCU Park in Coney Island got hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. The team’s entire first floor, including front office, locker rooms, team store, ticket office, kitchen, field, dugouts and more were flooded by as much as five feet of water.
As a result of the storm and the chemicals, salt and other goodies found in the flood water, the sod on the playing field was killed. Following extensive renovations, the stadium was rejuvenated with Field Turf, the synthetic grass they use at MetLife Stadium.
For the Brooklyn Cyclones’ opener Tuesday at 7 p.m., each player will be wearing a jersey bearing the name of an area affected by Sandy on their back instead of their name. They will be lining up for the national anthem on the foul line, each with a child from an area affected by the storm.
During the game, the team will be selling tickets for its Jersey Off The Backs raffle, where a fan has a chance to win one of the on-field jerseys. The money raised that night from the raffle will go to various charities to help folks still dealing with the fallout of the storm.
‘Insider’ tracks down former stars
“Mets Insider,” hosted by Kaitlin Monte, airing tonight at 6, will feature a special where-are-they-now? theme show.
SNY caught up with former Mets reliever Turk Wendell on his ranch in Colorado, where he still watches gamee regularly, but spends his days tending to 213 acres of land that is home to goats, game birds, fish, and a variety of wild animals.
SNY also spent a morning with Todd Zeile on the set of the FX show “Anger Management.” Zeile, a co-executive producer on the show, discusses his role and how he met and became friends with Charlie Sheen years ago. He also talks about what attracted him to Hollywood.
“I looked for challenges outside of baseball, and this is one that is definitely challenging,” Zeile said. “To get something from inception to the screen is difficult to do, but it’s something I love. I’ve been really lucky to have found more than one thing in my life that I feel really passionate about.”
Also, a trio of former Mets — White Sox manager Robin Ventura and coaches Joe McEwing and Daryl Boston — explain how they regularly draw on their Mets experience when they are coaching today.
Dad’s get all-day treatment on MSG
Starting today, MSG Network will run a special Father’s Day marathon of episodes from the original programs “Beginnings” and “The Game 365” that include heart-warming stories, moments and interviews with dads. Players, coaches and executives from the Knicks and Liberty, including Allan Houston, Herb Williams, Bill Laimbeer and Kamiko Williams, as well as MSG Network personalities, including Ken Daneyko and Wally Szczerbiak, will share special moments about their dads and wish them a happy Father’s Day.
“Rich has been a great friend for as long as I can remember,” Strahan told the Rumble. “He has always supported me on and off the field as a player and now in my new ventures. I know how big Rich’s heart is and how pure his intentions are so when he asked me to support his charity, I had no choice but to join him. It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to help his charity, as it helps so many others and is a true representation of Rich’s character.” For more information: http://www.bigdaddygolfclassic.com. Tickets are still available to purchase online.