"Big Shot" ESPN 30 for 30 documentary on John Spano's fraudulent Islanders purchase

JackStraw77 · Oct 23, 2013

Very good documentary directed by "Turtle" Kevin Connolly from Entourage on the 1996 attempted fraudulent purchase of the Islanders in 1996. Amazing story about how the Islanders were purchased by man with no money and forged documents until he was exposed in 1996. John Spano was going to be the Islanders savior and bring the team back to the Stanley Cup glory years. I remember how dominant the Islanders were during their Stanley Cup run. 4 straight years and an unprecedented run of 19 playoff series wins. You probably won't ever see a professional sports team win four titles in a row again. Fortunately the Islanders are moving out of that horrible Nassau Coliseum. They don't have a choice because there is no money to build a new venue in Nassau County. The team should fare better in Brooklyn.

CHOPTALK · Oct 23, 2013

I think Miami is going to win 4 in a row

NickPappagiorgio · Oct 23, 2013

I look forward to watching this, I just cant believe it was 96 that this happened, doesnt seem that long ago.

PatsFanatic · Oct 23, 2013

JackStraw77 said:
Very good documentary directed by "Turtle" Kevin Connolly from Entourage on the 1996 attempted fraudulent purchase of the Islanders in 1996. Amazing story about how the Islanders were purchased by man with no money and forged documents until he was exposed in 1996. John Spano was going to be the Islanders savior and bring the team back to the Stanley Cup glory years. I remember how dominant the Islanders were during their Stanley Cup run. 4 straight years and an unprecedented run of 19 playoff series wins. You probably won't ever see a professional sports team win four titles in a row again. Fortunately the Islanders are moving out of that horrible Nassau Coliseum. They don't have a choice because there is no money to build a new venue in Nassau County. The team should fare better in Brooklyn.

I agree I got caught up watching that last night and loved it. What a fraud Jon Spano was holy shit. Don't remember the story much as I was 18 and following other sports.
Very good show!

I don't think Kevin was "turtle" from Entourage, your thinking of the wrong actor there.

SECplayer · Oct 23, 2013

Kevin Connolly was "E" in Entourage, Vinnie's manager. Turtle was one of the other buddies that just kind of goofed off most of the series.

Betallsports · Oct 23, 2013

SECplayer said:
Kevin Connolly was "E" in Entourage, Vinnie's manager. Turtle was one of the other buddies that just kind of goofed off most of the series.

Right. he played Eric Murphy

Jerry Ferrara played Turtle

Betallsports · Oct 23, 2013

Betallsports said:
Right. he played Eric Murphy

Jerry Ferrara played Turtle

jerry-ferrara-than-game-los-angeles-premiere-0bJGzh.jpg

Acebb · Oct 23, 2013

That was a good program to watch - I hadn't really remembered this happening at all.

Obviously Spano is a con-man and a fraud, but I give the guy credit for having such stones. It takes a hell of a lot of balls to do that.

JackStraw77 · Oct 23, 2013

Sorry, wrong Entourage character and I was a huge fan of show. Confused Turtle with E. It's funny that Spano went to jail again in 05 for committing fraud.

NickPappagiorgio · Nov 11, 2013

Watched this last night. Spano is still a piece of trash, shows no remorse, is very impressed with himself.

Akillies · Nov 11, 2013

what made it really great, spano candidly commenting on his past.
while not from LI, i go back to when the isles won their first playoff series, all nets /isles were on cable.
state of the isles is a real shame. spano came so close to the dream