BSE Global executive says revitalized Nassau Coliseum is "in a solid place" (but what about Belmont?)

VenuesNow on 4/3/19 published an oddly sunny article, BSE Global on NYCB Live, Two Years In, subtitled "BSE Global has revitalized NYCB Live: Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum."

Notably, the article does not mention the looming threat of a competing arena nearby at Belmont Park, the failure to meet the goals promised to Nassau County by initial bidder Nassau Events Center, nor the rumored sale of the operating company, along with that of the Barclays Center, to incoming majority Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai.

The article is based on an interview with Executive VP of Programming Keith Sheldon:

How’s it going at NYCB Live?
Great. The building is back, open for business and better than ever. In the last fiscal year, 10 of 12 shows sold out and the two shows there were not sellouts had a 90 percent sell-through rate. The range began with Panic! at the Disco in July and has continued through our latest show, which was Kiss, last week (March 22).

OK, but the original projection was 57 concerts a year.

Anchor tenants?

Sheldon cites the importance of an associated real estate development, which certainly could add value. But he also says:

The last piece is getting more anchor tenant programming including the return of the Islanders (of the NHL), our NBA G League Long Island Nets franchise, and (National Lacrosse League) franchise that will play all its home games here next season.

But the Long Island Nets draw paltry crowds, and the Islanders are likely a temporary, part-time tenant, sharing the next season with the Barclays Center. None of those are significant anchor tenants, unless the Islanders end up staying.

A parallel with Barclays

After two years, Sheldon cites lessons:

Like Barclays Center here, in the beginning, our programming efforts were about volume and variety. We wanted to see what the market responded to. As it turns out the market will respond to every big show and we found sweet spots in classic rock, shows catering to the pop-youth demographic and adult contemporary artists.

As far as I can tell, their strength, so far, has also been family shows.

"In a solid place"

Then there's happy talk:

Is BSE happy with its decision to take on Long Island?
Absolutely. The venue was underutilized, it needed a ramp-up period from a sales and marketing perspective, but the venue is finally hitting its stride. We’re in a solid place, and our goal is to keep all this positive momentum going.

Sure, they've improved the venue significantly. But how can they be "in a solid place" if a competitor is coming?

Note: VenuesNow is published by the Oak View Group, a division of which is a partner on the Belmont arena plan.