Ok, this is an outright lie, either by Lehner or the reporter:
“You would walk out to games and the game hadn’t started and people are already booing.”
Also, the Islanders are not really “in” the NYC media market. Out of eight pro sports teams, the Islanders rank tenth. I think that team is covered by Newsday and no other paper on a regular basis. That media market belongs to the Rags where hockey is concerned.
I think the fans supported him rather well. I agree that there is some negative atmosphere.
The departure of bucky and sully can only help.