MINEOLA, N.Y. -- A decade-long effort to renovate an aging and dilapidated suburban New York sports arena moved a step closer to fruition on Thursday when officials chose the company that recently opened Brooklyns Barclays Center to redevelop the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and its surrounding 77-acre property. The selection of Nassau Events Center, LLC over The Madison Square Garden Co. for the US$229 million job was announced by County Executive Edward P. Mangano following a months-long competition that initially involved four bidders. "By having The Madison Square Garden Company compete with us on this development demonstrates the significance of this project and both of our companies commitment to Long Island," said Bruce Ratner, executive chairman of Forest City Ratner Companies. "We are ready to get to work to deliver a world-class coliseum and a thriving sports, entertainment and retail centre that Long Island deserves." The announcement comes nearly a year after the coliseums primary tenant, the National Hockey Leagues New York Islanders, said the team would move from the coliseum to the new Barclays arena after the 2015 season. The plan still requires the approval of the Nassau County Legislature, but observers said it was likely the GOP majority in the legislature would go along with the Republican county executives selection. "While we are disappointed with the countys decision, we are not at all surprised given the history of this project, and will be watching closely as this process moves to the county legislature," MSG said in a statement. "We remain deeply supportive of the efforts to create a rich and vibrant destination for all Long Island residents, and sincerely hope that, regardless of todays decision, Long Island ultimately gets the world-class destination it deserves." Both Ratner, the developer behind the Barclays Center, and MSG have experience in running sports and entertainment arenas in the New York area. The finalists had engaged in high-profile television and print advertising campaigns while vying for the right to develop the property. A public session to discuss the proposals last spring featured an appearance by music mogul and hip-hop star Jay Z, whose company is affiliated with the Ratner group. Nassau County officials and others have been struggling to renovate the coliseum, built in 1972, for nearly a decade. In 2004, the Islanders billionaire owner, software executive Charles Wang, proposed a massive redevelopment of the property that would have included a soaring 60-foot office and condominium tower. That proposal failed to win either community or municipal support after residents expressed concerns about traffic and other issues. Two years ago, voters rejected a referendum backed by Mangano that would have allowed $400 million in borrowing for the construction of a new hockey arena and ballpark. Mangano stressed Thursday that the construction will be a "100 per cent privately financed" project that will "share revenue with the county at zero expense to the taxpayer." Custom Panthers T-shirts . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. Cheap Panthers Jerseys . Aduriz headed home Markel Susaetas cross in the sixth minute to open the scoring at San Mames Stadium. He bettered that with a long-range blast that went in off the goal frame in the 18th, and converted a penalty in the 72nd after Diego Mainz was sent off for fouling Aduriz with only the goalkeeper to beat. http://www.customnhlpanthersjersey.com/ . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. Cheap Custom Panthers Jersey . Jane Virtanen scored two, and Alex Roach and Elliott Peterson rounded out the offence for the Hitmen (40-15-6). Brady Brassart chipped in with three assists. Colton McCarthy scored twice, Brayden Point had a goal and two assists, and Jack Rodewald also scored for the Warriors (15-35-9), who were 2 for 5 on the power play. Authentic Custom Panthers Jersey .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. CARMEL, Ind. -- U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson ran off four birdies in his last five holes Saturday and posted a 4-under 68, giving him a three-shot lead going into the final round of the soggy BMW Championship.Johnson couldnt make any putts early. He couldnt miss late.His late run to seize control began with a 10-foot birdie putt on the 14th hole and ended with an 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th.Paul Casey did his best to stay with Johnson. Casey, coming off a runner-up finish on Labor Day at the TPC Boston, matched two of Johnsons birdies during a late run until he had to scramble for pars on the last two holes. He still managed a bogey-free 68 and will be in the final group Sunday at 15-under.Johnson was at 18-under 198.He will be going for his third victory of the year, which would move him to the top of the FedEx Cup going into the finale at the Tour Championship in two weeks and make him a heavy favorite to win PGA Tour player of the year and the Vardon Trophy.J.B. Holmes was still in the mix; he shot a 68 and was four shots behind. Holmes at least is making a compelling case to be a captains pick for the Ryder Cup when Davis Love III announces three of his selections on Monday. Holmes finished 10th in the U.S. standings.Roberto Castro, who began the third round tied for the lead, didnt make a birdie in his round of 74 and fell six shots behind. Worst yet, the Georgia Tech alum who lives in Atlanta hurt his chances of moving into the top 30 who advance to the Tour Championship.Barring a collapse by Johnson, which has haappened before, his big finish after a rain delay earlier Saturday eliminated several players.dddddddddddd Adam Scott finally got some putts to drop, and with birdies on the last two holes, he shot a 67 and joined Matt Kuchar (68) at 11-under 205.But they were seven shots behind after Johnson was done making birdies.Im certainly a long shot. Im a long way back of the leaders and some great names on the leaderboard, Kuchar said. But I got a chance, and golf on Sunday in fun when you have a chance.Jordan Spieth had such a poor day putting that the distance of his total putts added to 30 feet, 6 inches. Spieth routinely makes one putt from that distance in a round. He was helped by two chip-ins, one for birdie and one for eagle, but closing with two straight bogeys gave him a 68. He was 10 shots behind, and his attention turned to a strong finish with hopes of getting one of the top five seeds at East Lake in the Tour Championship.Anyone in the top five only has to win the Tour Championship to claim the FedEx Cup and its $10 million bonus.Other Ryder Cup hopefuls didnt shine. Bubba Watson?settled for a 72, while Rickie Fowler shot 71 and was tied for 59th.The third round already was scheduled to start late because of morning storms in the forecast, which pounded Crooked Stick and delayed that time by 1 1/2 hours. Making it tougher was the wind that pushed the clouds away and made it difficult to score. ' ' '