Click image to watch ESPN Films: 30 for 30 “Big Shot” video.
It’s been over 30 year since the New York Islanders have won a Stanley Cup trophy, but that hasn’t been the team’s problems but more the internal powers that be. Speaking of which, ESPN films recently released an episode of 30 for 30 shedding light onto their situation with “Big Shot.” During 1996, young businessman John Spano was in talks with longtime owner John Pickett to purchase the team for $165 million.
While pitching himself as being worth over $230 million on inheritance from a grandfather, he also claimed to own his University Park house that was allegedly worth $3 million at the time. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Pickett were initially convinced of the new hot shot owner to revive the Islanders and sport, but it would later surface he was a fraud and almost became an official owner. Kevin Connolly (E from Entourage) takes the role of director for the feature, revealing more details on one the most notorious cons in the history of sports.
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