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Botta resigns as Isles' VP of media relations

BY GREG LOGAN | greg.logan@newsday.com

May 6, 2008

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For the past 20 years, Chris Botta helped the Islanders navigate through a public-relations minefield replete with revolving owners and controversial personnel decisions that threatened their existence as a viable NHL franchise. But that relationship ended yesterday when the Islanders' vice president of media relations announced his resignation for personal reasons. "It was my dream job, and it's been an incredible ride," he said yesterday. "But it's time to end it."

Botta described his parting with the organization as amicable and "respectful." His surprising decision came at a time when Chris Dey, the son-in-law of owner Charles Wang and senior vice president of sales, marketing and operations, has taken a stronger role managing the business side for the Islanders.

Botta joined the organization in December 1987 as editor of a team publication. He was named head of public relations in 1995 and became a vice president in 1999.

Last season Botta embraced the Internet, creating the innovative Blog Box, which was made up of a select group of rabid fans who were credentialed to cover Islanders games and offer their own perspectives in their blogs linked to the team's Web site. Botta had his own blog, too.