Just finished the watching it, and can't help but to think how long he could've kept the scheme going if he had made the first installment payment. He was really that close.

Also major laughs at the NHL for not doing any due diligence, and just trusting the elite circle he'd weaseled his way into, basically on face value.

Hope I wasn't the only one who booed the tv every time Bettman came on

Came in with no prior knowledge and really enjoyed it.

Honestly can't believe he didn't pull it off once he got half the money and negotiated the rest in installments.

Did it mention that since the Spano episode there have been a couple other NHL ownership purchase disasters almost as bad? Lol NHL and spending $700 on your due diligence for a 9 figure transaction.

I tried watching it, but had to turn it off when his voice came on as the narrator. It reminded me of a class project.

I know nothing about hockey and had never heard of this story before and I thought it was an awesome and hilarious story. I know we live in a different world now than we did in 1996 but it really is amazing he was able to get away with so much bs and actually get control of the team .he almost got more funding and the house of cards probably wouldnt have ended up coming down.

What the hell?

How in the world was this possible? How did the NHL, the Islanders, and Fleet Bank not do their due diligence on this idiot? What a bizarre story. I'm not sure how I had never heard of this before.

The guy was loony-tunes, and it sounds like he's still loony-tunes. What a delusional, sad, little man.

But he almost pulled it off. I'll give him that.

I just watched this. Terrific story. What balls! In addition to being a psychopath, I'd be shocked if Spano isn't also bi-polar. And lol NHL at the time.

The funniest thing I learned is that the Islanders STILL play at the Nassau Coliseum. I remember going to a game there in the late 80s and it was falling apart then.

I actually think its a wonder he wasnt able to leverage 18 mil. Should have been the easiest part.

Why couldn't he use the 80 mil he got from Fleet for the 17 mil he had to pay?

they'll be moving to Brooklyn for the 2015–16 season

Agreed, it's almost like he didn't want to piece any of the franchise out bc he wanted it all to himself.

He owed $97m at closing. Paid the $80, but didn't have the $17m (1st of 5 payments). Stalled as long as possible, but couldn't come up with the $17m before it all fell apart.

Are the Islanders still going to be called the Islanders? I mean, I guess they're still technically going to be on Long Island.

Wouldn't selling a share for $17 million to pay the down payment raise a red flag?

Also laughed hard at the story where they went to dinner and he didn't pick up the tab.

Probably, but it would certainly be better than not paying. He was in negotiations with the owner of that hotel to sell him a piece when it came crashing down, so it seems like he was fine with trying it once he realized he couldn't get the money himself.

Tomorrow night's 30 for 30:

This is What They Want.

Jimmy Connors amazing run at the U.S. Open at age 38.

Can't wait for this one...Connors' match against Krickstein was one of the GOAT.

Already set to record but am curious how they'll get a whole hour out of that one run. Must include a lot of backstory.

They should have packaged it with Agassi's Open run in 2006, which was every bit as remarkable imo.

Yeah that's not changing dude...Brooklyn Brawler BS aside for them moving to Brooklyn had to happen or else KC, SEA, Quebec City become increasingly realistic.

Finally got around to watching Big Shot on the DVR and it's was really good I thought, and brought back some memories. If I had to take one thing from it the fact that Spano said if he could do it over again he'd bankrupt the team just makes me think, wow like he couldn't be a bigger scumbag...but he did get the Cable deal done w/Cablevision.

~~~~~~

This Is What They Want...set to record...I know jack **** about Tennis but I do remember watching that run as kid and thinking JFC Jimmy Connors is gonna forever be a god in NYC.

Bomani Jones talked about a friend in school who shoplifted and rationalized it by saying

'I steal from places, not people'

'They just write if off!'

They're changing the name to the Brooklyn Pretentious Hipsters.

How would you have an ironic playoff beard?

A handlebar mustache solves all your irony problems