The ups and downs of Charles Wang

April 26, 2000
Charles Wang, founder of Islandia-based software giant Computer Associates (now CA), announces a deal to buy the Islanders for $190 million with the encouragement of former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato and then-Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta.

October 13, 2004
Islanders owner Charles Wang unveils his Lighthouse plan to renovate the Coliseum and develop surrounding area. Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi is at right.

November 10, 2005
Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, Charles Wang of the New York Islanders, Jeff Wilpon of the New York Mets, and Scott Rechler of Reckson Associates, speak after they gave their presentations for the redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum site. (Nov. 10, 2005)

November 10, 2005
Charles Wang, owner of the New York Islanders, gives his presentation for the redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum site, one of four different proposals.

August 16, 2007
From left: Jim Baeck, vice president and lead master plan architect, Development Design Group Inc., Matthew Frank, senior VP, development and design at Rexcorp, Scott Rechler, chief executive of Rexcorp Inc., and Charles Wang, owner of the New York Islanders and Dragons and founder of the Lighthouse Project, at the architect design meeting on the Coliseum redevelopment. (Aug. 14, 2007)

November 8, 2007
Scott Rechler, left, CEO of RexCorp and Charles Wang, right, owner of the Islanders, at the Newsday conference room discussing a plan to build in Nassau County.

November 8, 2007
The Lighthouse Group applies to the Town of Hempstead for the creation of a planned development district. The initial application is rejected on the grounds of missing maps, typos and other issues; application is resubmitted in February 2008.

June 5, 2009
Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, left, shakes hands with Islanders owner Charles Wang as they meet to discuss the Lighthouse Project with Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi and Scott Reckler, right, in the County Executive Building in Mineola.

September 21, 2009
New York Islanders owner Charles Wang, left, answers questions during a news conference on media day at Nassau Coliseum as Islanders head coach Scott Gordon listens at right.

July 27, 2009
New York State Governor David A. Paterson voices his support for the Lighthouse Project with New York Islanders owner Charles Wang and Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi by his side at the Nassau Coliseum.

August 4, 2009
Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, Islanders owner Charles Wang, and RXR chief executive Scott Reckler along with other supporters for the Lighthouse Project march from a rally at the Nassau Coliseum to Hofstra University for a public hearing.

August 4, 2009
Islanders owner Charles Wang speaks to supporters for the Lighthouse Project at a rally at the Nassau Coliseum.

September 22, 2009
Charles Wang speaks to the Town of Hempstead Board during a zoning hearing for the Lighthouse Project in Hempstead.

September 22, 2009
Fans listens to Charles Wang address the Town of Hempstead Board during a zoning hearing for the Lighthouse Project in Hempstead.

October 1, 2009
Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, right, with RXR Realty chief executive Scott Reckler and Islanders owner Charles Wang, announces a proposed lease for the development of the 77 acres around Nassau Coliseum which would keep the Islanders on Long Island through the year 2030 in Mineola.

October 3, 2009
Charles Wang's self-imposed deadline for receiving zoning approval passes.

New York Islanders owner Charles Wang with Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, and Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray announce they are putting forth a county wide public referendum to build a ballpark and a new state of the art Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Howard Schnapp).

New York Islanders owner Charles Wang announces a county-wide public referendum on a ballpark and a new Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 in Uniondale, New York.

Unable to secure the funding necessary to build a new Nassau Coliseum, Wang announces in October 2012 that the Islanders would move to Brooklyn's Barclays Center in 2015.