Schumer Calls On Jets To Keep Hempstead Practice Facility On Long Island, Even With Planned Stadium Move
Schumer Writes Letter to Jets Owner Robert Wood Johnson IV Asking Him To Reconsider Decision to Move Practice Facility to New Jersey
Schumer Calls Jets Decision To Move Their Practice Facility To New Jersey A Sad Day For Gang Green and Long Island
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the New York Jets to keep their practice facility on Long Island, even with the new Jets and Giants stadium that will be built at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. The Jets currently practice at Hofstra University on Long Island and have said they plant to move their practice facility to the new stadium site as well, ending a 37 year affiliation with Long Island and Hofstra University. Schumer wrote Jets owner Robert Wood Johnson IV asking the team to reconsider the decision to build a facility for its corporate offices and practice field in New Jersey.
The Jets have been training on Long Island for over 35 years, and Id like to have them here for at least 35 more. Though the Jets have long played at the Meadowlands, weve been thrilled theyve kept their roots here on Long Island, Schumer said. Since their initial season at Shea Stadium, when they would sometimes practice at Flushing Meadow Park, to the long drives so many Long Islanders make to the Meadowlands every Sunday, the Jets have always meant something special to all of New York and Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island in particular. Its sad day for Gang Green and New York, when neither of our two NFL teams maintain any physical presence in the Empire State.
The Jets have been full time residents of Weeb Ewbank Hall on Long Island since 1974, and have trained at Hofstra since 1968 when the team began preseason training there. The team recently agreed to share the cost of a building a new $800 million stadium at the Meadowlands with the Giants. Since the Giants moved to the Meadowlands in 1976, and the Jets moved in 1984, the Jets have been the only professional football team in New York to maintain its corporate home and practice facility in New York State.
Keeping the practice facility in LI is like picking Joe Namath over Blair Thomas a no brainer, Schumer said.
Schumer added that the economic impact of the Jets departure would be felt in the Hempstead area. In his letter to Johnson Schumer wrote, I am also concerned about the economic impact of losing the Jets to Hempstead, Hofstra, and Long Island. Hofstra University, loyal professional and practice facility staff, and many local vendors depend on the Jets and their fans during preseason and practice days. We also certainly hope that no Long Islanders will be directly put out of a job with the teams corporate offices because of the relocation.
