I can tell you now that this won’t work long-term. While I’m happy to see the Nets could potentially be playing at The Rock next season, the concerts and other events are just as important to an arena’s long-term success as the teams who call it home. I guess the rationale is that the Nets will be at The Rock for two seasons, then move to Brooklyn, but the Prudential Center will take a BIG hit if they agree to this.

This smacks of an election year gimmick by Corzine to garner votes right before a contested election (and I say that as a registered Democrat). It satisfies Bergen County legislators and gets the Nets in Newark. But this doesn’t help either facility. The only real solution is the closure of Izod, not trying to appease both sides – this has to be an all-or-nothing scenario.

This team can play in an abandoned warehouse for all I care. I’ll be where ever they are watching them play. Go Nets!

@MrT
Gee, MrT, I fully expected you to (rightly) slam me for saying this was going to take some time. I’m stunned. Both sides are apparently desparate enough to do a deal. Tough economic times produce crazy deals.

I also like the point that Vanderbeek agrees to pay Newark the $2 million he owes the city.

“If the Nets fail to move to Brooklyn, the franchise may be more attractive to local bidders if a deal to move to Newark already is in place.”

Interesting quote from the above article. This could truly be the first step toward a permanent move to Newark.

NI,

This doesn’t surprise me in the least, simply because there is an election Nov. 3. If Corzine can be seen as holding onto the Nets for at least a few more seasons, then maybe he garners a few more “urban” votes that he needs to pull ahead. Believe me, it’s no coincidence that Pres. Obama was in Hackensack last night to promote Corzine on the same night the Nets host the Knicks at The Rock. Keep on other thing in mind – Booker, Corzine and Obama have long-standing ties. This bodes VERY WELL FOR NEWARK in the long run.

Brick City!!

Hollah!

I think this will work short-term. If it’s a one-year wonder for the Nets in Newark, I feel everyone will be trying to get to see them in Newark, and then they (hopefully) move into a brand new arena in Brooklyn.

Short-term, I like this a lot. Short-term, that is.

I also agree. I am not an expert on these stadium finance issues, but what I do know is that Prudential Center can help the Nets short term. I don’t know, nor do I care, if Prudential Center takes a hit from this move. All I care is about the Nets. And as a Nets fan, I’m glad something is done that MAY revitalize this franchise. Don’t expect games to be sold out at Prudential Center, but expect a few more fans there every night as compared to Izod. While Izod is in the middle of nowhere, Prudential Center is in the heard of one of NJ’s bigger cities, and you can expect a few more local fans and business men in the city to go to the games. As a 1 or 2 year plan, I really like this

As long as Prokhorov and Brooklyn goes through, it’s pretty much a win-win. Team gets out of the worst venue in professional sports—maybe loses less money, Newark gets team for a year and a half and $2 million Vanderbeek owes them, state settles issues between arenas.

You can look at this two ways: with Prokhorov on board, the Nets are confident they have the deal in place or the Nets want a back up plan…they are not mutually exclusive.

yessssssssssssss now I’ll be able to drive 5 minutes to the train station hop on a train and be at the game. YESSSSSSS

Yay great for all the Brooklyn move fans but for some reason this is more offensive to me. So they’re just gonna use the NJ fans for a year or two and get money, get fans hopes up and then crush em by picking up and leaving once something better comes along. That is so wrong.

“Yay great for all the Brooklyn move fans but for some reason this is more offensive to me. So they’re just gonna use the NJ fans for a year or two and get money, get fans hopes up and then crush em by picking up and leaving once something better comes along. That is so wrong.”

This is also the best thing for the pro-NJ fans as well because with the Nets being in Newark if BK falls through they are MUCH more appealing to potential jersey buyers being that they are already in the Rock.

I wish they could do this deal now for this season. As CDR would say, Yes Yes!

Great news. Things are coming together finally. You can actually see a plan now…and a vision for the transition.

the bottom line is they get out of IZOD.

I like it because being in The Rock should help attract free agents next year. No longer can the doubters say – no way would a major free agent come to the worst venue in professional sports! Now lets try to be as competitive as possible this year, try to trade Najera if its humanly possible, and then Proky and his money need to start work on planning the most extravagent recruitment pitch in world history. Based on this guy’s background, anything is possible…

NI,

Obama met with Russian President Medvedev in Europe a few weeks ago. Who knows what Obama and Medvedev talked about last month? For all we know, they could have discussed Prokhorov wanting to buy the Nets to ultimately move to Newark! After all, the way Ratner and Yormark lie about everything makes me think almost anything is possible at this point. Obama then shows up in NJ last night to endorse the Democratic Governor while the Nets play in Newark. Now a tentative deal is announced to move to The Rock – all of this before an election in less than two weeks. Once Corzine is back in office, he can go back and re-nege on this “agreement” between the NJSEA and the Nets. Remember, he would be a lame duck governor in the first year of his second (and last) term. He can afford to take risks at that point by angering Bergen pols (especially if he can say closing Izod is best for state taxpayers. As I said in an earlier thread, his bread is buttered in Essex County (Newark). That’s where his voting base is located. I can almost see exactly how this is going to play out.

As I thought, politics would enter into this decision. Even Pres. Obama is involved – not in words as much as in actions. His being in NJ at the same time is telling. If he had gone to Brooklyn for some reason, then I might think otherwise. I know Proky is saying Brooklyn or bust, but frankly, he holds the cards in the deal with Ratner. Why put $200 million toward an arena that isn’t built and has MAJOR legal and financing isssues in a shaky economy when he could put $200 million toward an team that already may have a new arena in place? Beyond our philosophical differences on this issue, it makes more practical sense to invest in an existing, state-of-the-art arena than in one that has not even begun construction. Proky could put his money toward a purchase of The Rock, thereby giving him partial ownership of the arena, negating the need to share revenues with the Devils. Try to read between the lines on this issue. It is what is not said in these public disputes that’s more important than what is said.

The Izod must be closed. that is the first deal, as an arena needs to be booked somewhere between 275-325 dates a year, they can afford only about a months worth of days off so yes, the concerts, shows, etc are a huge must for this to work long term. The article says “major concerts” at Izod so if that is all they give up to get the Nets, it will absolutely work. This will further the development of downtown Newark, spreading eventually into surrounding communities. The Nets and Devils will bounce fans and regular game attendees off one another, keeping a steady attendance rate for both teams. Lastly, BK is not happening. Ratner and Co. feared the day this would happen because once its out in the open how well Newark will support both teams, the views toward the evil Atlantic Yards subplot will sway greatly in the area of opposers. This will wind up being long term, what shouldve happened all along. The Izod closing saves us TAXPAYERS from keeping that piece o crap open, from electricitiy to janitors, will enable the ROck and mainly the city of Newark to be the main attraction outside of The City, and let a young and very talented NJ Nets and experienced championship contending NJ Devils to flourish. Thank you, Mr Vanderbeek and city of Newark

Yeahhhhh. This is one step to a permanent Newark move. Barclays Center is just this years West Side Stadium.

@NJNRay

No Brooklyn = No Prokhorov.
I don’t understand why any Nets fan would wish that upon the Nets.

@MaxW & NJNRay,

Excellent points! The stars are now aligning for the Nets. All Nets fans should be happy now that we have a great arena (The Rock) and political will to keep the team stable and in this region. Barclays Center truly is “this year’s West Side Stadium”.

I’m neutral on the Nets staying in NJ vs. moving to Brooklyn, but you guys make me laugh saying Brooklyn is dead. 3 weeks ago when Proky swooped in, it became clear that Brooklyn being a reality is closer than ever, and nothing that has transpired since changes that. Proky has got a hard on for the big city methinks…

Please, rise for our NEW JERSEY NETS!

To me this is the back-up plan if Barclays Center doesn’t go through. If it does, then for 2 seasons we’ll have The Rock showcased for other NBA teams interested in relocation, *cough*Bucks/Kings*cough*. It makes perfect sense to make the trade because they’re out of the deal if the Nets move to Brooklyn and if they stay, then they’re here for good. NJSEA will eventually fold. They should just blow-up IZOD Center and the Old Meadowlands and turn it into a new entertainment complex/practice facilities for the Jets/Giants.

@MrT
Obama and Medvedev met in New York at the Museum of Modern Art at 7 p.m. on September 23 at a reception for heads of government attending the United Nations General Assembly.

It was six hours after Prokhorov and Ratner had issued their joint statement on his agreement to purchase the Nets.

Here is how ITAR-TASS, the official Russian news agency, reported on the meeting between Obama and Medvedev, quoting Ms. Timakova, the Russian president’s press secretary…as translated by the CIA.

“Speaking about the talks between Medvedev and Obama in New York, Timakova noted that they covered the entire extent of bilateral relations. In particular, according to her, Medvedev told Obama among other things about Russian businessman [Mikhail] Prokhorov’s intention to acquire the New Jersey Nets basketball club.”

“IN PARTICULAR” they talked about the Nets. The presidents of Russia and the United States of America talked about the New Jersey Nets!!!

http://www.netsdaily.com/blog/?p=1467

I will admit that the Izod Center has seen better days, though it could still host other events even without the Nets still being there. As I have said in the other topic, if Brooklyn fails, then it’s likely that Newark will become permanent. I still doubt that the Nets would end up in Seattle no matter how many times Brooklyn supporters have mentioned that. Right now, Vanderbeek is probably the only sports owner who is probably keeping tabs on this and waiting for it to fail, though not moving to Brooklyn doesn’t mean that Proky can’t own the Nets, but that will be up to him in the end. As for Corzine, I too hope he gets re-elected, and I think his corruption claims are very much overstated, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Brooklyn supporters will use them to downplay him either. If anyone is saying that it’s wrong for Corzine and Booker to be involved in stopping the Nets from going to Brooklyn, then it’s also wrong for Bloomberg and Markowitz to be involved in supporting the move to Brooklyn, so cut the double standard right there.

Vanderbeek won’t even pay Newark the $2 million he owes the city. He has no money to do this deal…certainly not on his own.

As one of the owners of the team told me, if Brooklyn fails, the team goes up to the highest bidder and, as he noted, that could be Seattle or St. Louis…his words, not mine. I am not speaking out of my hat. I know what I am talking about.

Chris2,

I understand your skepticism. All I’m saying is that this is about more than a deal for an arena. Politics (State, Federal and International) is rearing its head into this issue. If Proky is involved, it is as much for political reasons as much as financial. Personally, I never trust the first thing I read in a newspaper or online, as what’s fed to the public has been filtered and molded so that stakelholders don’t have their true intentions known. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but the real intentions will be revealed over the next two to three months. Proky may be saying to the public he wants Brooklyn, but maybe he really wants Newark. Why would he offer $200 million of his own money to Ratner, but not until Ratner closes on Barclays Center? IMO, he knows Ratner can’t make the deal work, meaning Barclays will fall apart.

How this guy ever became chairman of Goldman Sachs and got rich in the process is a testament to how thoroughly screwed up Wall Street is.

Wow!! I’m buying my first season tickets ever once this is for sure.

NI,

No offense, but just because you talk to someone doesn’t mean they’re telling you the entire truth. I don’t think you know any more than the rest of us! Because you have experience as a reporter doesn’t mean you’re getting the “full scoop”. In large, complex deals like these, stakeholders are not gonna tip their hands to nosy reporters. It’a business decision at the end of the day.

On another note, thank you for correcting me on where Obama and Medvedev met. Having said that, I’m aware of what we were told they discussed. What were the specifics of the deal with the Nets that were discussed? Unless you were a fly on the wall in that room, you don’t know any more than I do.

@Chris2
Let me help again. Prokhorov’s $200 million is being used by Ratner et al to help lure the necessary investors for Barclays. It is the equity, essentially the down payment, the bankers want and need before they issue the bonds, essentially the mortgage. That’s what this is about.

Prokhorov gets 80% of the team and 45% of the arena plus an option to buy up to 20% of the overall Atlantic Yards project. It is possible as well that he has an option to buy more than the 45% of Barclays. In return, he has agreed to eat $60 million in losses until the team moves to Brooklyn (you wont hear him objecting to Newark) and 80% of the debt the Nets have on their books…about $140 million.

@MrT
no offense, but the reverse is more true. It is very easy to dismiss information that doesn’t fit with your biases. Our conversation is at an end.

Cano,

All owners are super rich, does it really matter if he’s Prokhorov or not? They’re all capitalists who are much above everybody else, so does it matter if he’s worth 900,000,000,000 dollars or 900,000,0000 dollars. There’s a salary cap in the NBA anyway. I want the Nets to succeed, and I want the Nets to play in Newark, I don’t see how those are mutually exclusive. And who knows, maybe if he sees common sense, that there already is a building built that is state of the art and sees that the only reason they’re going to Brooklyn is to anchor a housing/office project, then he can purchase the team once AY falls through. On court success and playing in Newark can happen at the same time.

@MrT
The more likely scenario for Proky withholding the 200 million before Ratner closed on Barclays is because there is still some doubt as to if Barclay’s will happen. The eminent domain lawsuit is the big hurdle there. Its just smart business – don’t pay for something until you know for sure what it is you are getting. Proky didnt get rich by risking his money, I’m sure he wants a sure thing.

I also agree bout Corzine, originally pledging to shut down the Izod altogether and do the right thing, in making the preeminent arena for entertainment the ONE WHICH U CAN ACTUALLY TAKE A DIRECT TRAIN TO n not some bs hackensack tconnection line havin to transfer 3 times to get there. They should in fact build another one o the parking garages if they care so much bout their precious lil indoor skiing rink+mall + God knows what else. right where the Izod stand now. also to accomodate the new Giants Jets Stadium GEE IMAGINE THAT DUMB CORRUPT NJ POLITICIANS. more than 30 yrs to finally get funding and at least some reasonable public transportation to the home of the 2 football teams in the sports capital of the world. absolutely pathetic. I hope it feels good too, RATner, hope to see that stock barely able to stay afloat as u and all ur cronies look like clowns in the circus which IRONICALLY WILL NOW BE HELD AT THE ROCK lol. Ratner shud quit his job as fake real estate developer/ real subsidy collector and join the circus in the very building hes feared all along. ELIMINATE THE RAT

@NJNRay
Of course it matters how much money owners have. Paul Allen has spent $15 million buying five first round draft picks in the last six years. Nets couldnt buy a second round pick two years ago because of budget restraints. Mark Cuban, Paul Allen, James Dolan, Stan Kroenke all spend money on the their teams and not just players. They do things to lure players, first class treatment.

There is this incredible, and I mean that in the truest sense of the word, desire to fit things into whatever you hope will happen. Prokhorov has said he will not invest if Brooklyn doesn’t happen. Stern said today that he will not invest in anything other than Brooklyn.

@MaxW
IZOD for all its problems ranks #10 in the WORLD as a venue for non-sporting events, by revenue, #4 in the US. It is centrally located by car. By doing this deal, the NJSEA will silence its biggest critics, the Essex County delegation in the legislature, permitting it to renovate the arena for concert use primarily.

and Prokhorov literally pays nothing UNLESS RATNER GAINS OVER $700 MIL IN THESE CORRUPT, NOW EXTINCT AFTER THIS YEAR TAX FREE BONDS so he can save millions in simple things like conscruction material. Mr Goldstein of the opposition has done a masterful, perfect job in maintaining the fight against the Beast that is Ratner and almost all big real estate “developers.” Once BrooKlyn finally falls thru AFTER DEC 31, 2009 WHEN NOT ONLY THE tax free bonds expire but RATNER’S OWN PARENT COMPANY, FOREST CITY ENTERPRISES, HAS SAID THEY ARE FINISHED TAKING THE BURDEN OF THE NETS’ LOSSES OF $25+ MILL PER YEAR AT IZOD. NOT TO MENTION BARCLAYS BANK DECLINING TO EXTEND ITS AGREEMENT ONE MORE YR AS IT ALREADY HAD TO DO SO LAST YR BY RATNER PLEADING TO THE EVIL BANK AND PAYING THEM OFF. Good Riddance Bruce, not only the worst “sports owner” in rhistory, but a despicable, fake human being. a truly inhumane, money grubbing greedy bastard.

@Chris2,

Exactly!

@Net Income,

Sound like the pot calling the kettle… oh, I’m sure YOU of all people know the rest. Have a good night, my friend…

I have gone out of my way to provide documentation and detailed inside information. If you choose to ignore it, please do so, but don’t ask me to accept in their place your biases, hopes, and suppositions, which are based on other biases, hopes and suppositions.

I feel quite comfortable in my statements.

This is FANTASTIC!

I thought you were done with me! Wow, I’m flattered!

Don’t get so testy, I’m just having some fun with you. It’s one of the things that keeps me coming back to this site! I feel comfortable in what I say as well. I don’t pretend that EVERYTHING I say is accurate, but I consider myself relatively intelligent, and ceratinly knowledgeable on this subject. After all, this is a blog, and I express my opinions as you do yours. Don’t worry – this will resolve itself soon enough. One of us will be right, one of us won’t…

Well, I hope that doesnt happen. As Ive said COrzine, weird as he may be, has an obligation to the entire state of NJ, and NY Metropolitan area, to eliminate the Izod and make Newark the focus, rightful focus, of attention and spending. pumping money into the schools, and police, and nOT RATNERS POCKET WHERE ALL THE MONEY FROM “BARCLAYS CENTRE COLISEUM”, WHICH WUD OF COURSE BE ALMOST ENTIRELY SUBSIDIEZED BY INNOCENT NY TAXPAYERS, WUD GO DIRECTLY INTO RATNERS POCKET. barely any goes to the City I beg all you who dont look up on Atlantic Yards and Barclays Center Coliseum, or know much about the current state of the plan, to start and join me and others in the fight against this monstrosity. 680+ families have been kicked out of their homes thru the illegal and unwarranted abuse of eminent domain, and THE RAT WILL NEVER BUILD THE PROPOSED “PUBLIC HOUSING” he promised to get the evil plan thru. go to nolandgrab.org, dddb.net and AtlanticYardsreport.com everyday to check the latest news stories and blogs about the TRUTH of this matter. this is not about BK vs Newark, NY vs NJ. this is about eminent domain abuse, the exemption of countless review and judiciary procedures in order to illegally pass the project and ENDLESS amount of payoffs by Ratner and his large family. the BK opposition already has already been planning DIRECT buses frmo downtown BK into Newark for all games and other events so I PLEASE BEG OF U ALL. ALL MY TRU DIEHARD NY/NJ NETS FANS you will see this building, this move to the Rock, is THE thing to do for this franchise. as well as the best for the oeple of BK who are already screwed thanks to their homes being grazed by Ratner’s abuse of eminent domain. NEWARK NETS IN BRICK CITY 2010 BABY

Amen, MaxW!

DOnt take everything I say too personally any of you Im serious, Im naturally the angriest person in the world and the angriest diehard Nets fan of them all. I truly love all my Nets fans and NY sports fans alike, but this has gone on long enough. we PEAKED 2001-2003, BEFORE the Rat beat out COrzine n Co to use us as real estate pawn. weve naturally gone consistently downwards ever since. I jus lost my Pops who was ironicaly one of the many loving, caring parents who kept their season tickets even as the $ was going into the pocket of the greedy Rat, and obv not returning back onto the product on the court. I may sound extremely pissed at people but I aint got anything against anything that any of u say, even the Brooklyn supporters. in fact, I WAS ONE FOR ALMOST A YEAR ENDING LAST YR. Convinced after trading for Devin and others that we were getting the KING. I even thought Yi would avg 18+ppg as Lebron would open up the floor for everyone lol. But after getting deep into what is going on with AY, I naturally couldn’t stand the illegalities and quite frankly atrocities that Ratner and Co. were pulling, and reverted back to my original point of view, anti-AY, extremely anti-Ratner. NetIncome, I dont mean to argue wit u. I agree wit almost all the stuff u say, u too MR T. Everyone, all yall, aint got anything against any of ur arguments since I literally been on both sides. diehard, obsessive NJ Nets fans know. so when Im blowin off steam, jus remember who its really poiinting towards. the worst, possibly most evil owner in all of sports. Real Nets Fans 4 Life, God

why don’t they renovate izod

MaxW,

Sorry for your loss, dude!

No prob in getting upset. Others do much worse on this site (myself included). At least the moderators keep it clean.

@matt,

because it’s not financially viable to renovate facilities such as these. If someone were to put $250 million to add a few luxury suites and concession stands, then one may as well spend $300 million to build a new arena with all the trimmings.

What makes Izod in particular tricky to renovate is that it is owned by the State (as in the taxpayers of NJ). There’s still more than $80 million in outstanding debt on Izod from construction 30 years ago. Izod clearly doesn’t make enough money to pay down that debt, which is why red flags should be flown when anyone says Izod turns a profit each year. It tells me someone at the NJSEA is “cooking the books”, as it were. So, if a renovation were to be completed, for conversation’s sake, state taxpayers would not only have to pay down the existing debt, but the expense of the removation as well.

I don’t understand what this all really means, and I think a lot of people are making some pretty wild leaps to conclusions. Our team’s best hope, in my opinion, remains Proky and Brooklyn. I like the Rock as a temp solution, but long term, Brooklyn has more people and access to even more people than Newark. AND if I am Proky, Brooklyn has all those nice Russian people… In the end, I am in favor of anything that helps to put a better product on the court. GO NETS!

I could care less how much debt the IZOD has left on the books. The IZOD is irrelevant to the Nets after this year.

Paul, there is no doubt that the best deal is Prokhorov and Brooklyn. And barring some surprise, that is the direction this is taking.

ok i didnt read every last comment ,,, but did anybody ever think of this ?
lets say the nets flourish at the rock, but they still move to bk. and in the process stern recognizes that newark is a good market for an NBA team do you think we could have a third team in the tri-state area??
i mean the west coast has sac, lac, lal and gstate

i mean the way i see it is if you take our basketball what do we have left ???? and please dont say HOCKEY!
we have no football, no baseball, no basketball nothing!
i just want to go out and be able to buy a jersey that says new jersey “something” and no not the devils
and as it stands right now i cant !!!!!

Very heavy stuff…too heavy for me. But it really is a big deal financially and politically. Some poster’s opinions go pretty deep – it’s impressive even though there are different views.

I just think it’s cool that the Nets will be playing in a new arena after this year – whether it’s Newark or eventually Brooklyn. Really, I’d be psyched for the franchise either way. I just want the team to be as successful as possible financially and on the court and stay around here. And Brooklyn is around here enough (Bergen County) to me, so if that is what ultimately happens, and it works for them $$$ to help produce WWWWWs – I’m into it. If Newark does it – that’s cool too.

I dont know how many of the people commenting have attended the Prudential Center, the downstairs seating is great.
NOW THE PROBLEM
The seats in the 100 and 200 level are actually scary to sit. This is no room between the rows ie: rows 1,2, etc. , when you get out of your seat if someone in the row does not hold you and you are walking to the aisle you will feel like you will fall. The arena was built where there is nothing in front of the row to hold , and to move out of a row if your fellow seat members dont help you, trouble. This is true for the young and older. It is actually terrible and very scary and you definitely loose your balance.

Since many people, both season ticket holders and individual game purchasers will seat in these seats, as they will be much more affordable than the lower level. I am a season ticket holder of Nets in Izod have upper level season the this problem is non existant. I will not purchase a ticket in the 2 upper sections 100 and 200 levels.

Try what I am saying as the game is not enjoyable the way the upper arena is constructed.

WHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! SEASON TIX 2010 BABY!!!!

This is GREAT!!!! I can’t wait til next season!!! who’s getting drunk on the train with Mr. DB!??!? YEAAH!!!!!!!!!

Previously, I thought Yormark and the Nets would not admit to any deal to relocate to Newark until after groundbreaking for Brooklyn?

I thought that by admitting to an agreement it might affect the Judges’ decision in Litigation (since Barclay’s wouldn’t be essential) or influence the financing.

If Yormark now admits to an agreement, does that mean that they are so confident about Brooklyn, that it can’t hurt, or that they have no choice, with Election day coming up and they might lose the opportunity after that?

Downstairs in Newark is nice, the concourse, the restaurants, the seating. Upstairs is downright awful. Typical of new NBA and NHL arenas, they are not a good place to be for the middle and lower class fans. I would much rather stay at the Meadowlands ESPECIALLY if they are steal planning to steal the team from New Jersey fans anyway.

Nobody is never satisfied? First y’all want the team in Newark, now the same posters talking about how awful the arena is seriously make up y’all minds.

My question is………..If NI & the like gets their way & the Nets move to BK, how will you feel about being a second class Nets fan from New Jersey?
BK will not give one damn about Nets fans from New Jersey. You become basically irrelevant. The Nets will take your money & not give one, single god damn about you or anyone from NJ.
You become an outside groupie. A sucker………..
That does not sound like a happy outcome for me as a New Jersey native & a Nets fan.
I will ride for MY NEW JERSEY NETS until the wheels fall off.

The Nets moving to Newark doesn’t sound to exciting

How does this help the Prudential Center? Concerts/shows make more money than the Nets do, and Vanderbeek should know this. IZOD NEEDS to close in order for this to work. Turn that craphole into something worthwhile like an IMAX center or casino.

@Marv,

You hit the nail on the head. IMO, Izod will be closed by the next governor after the election (likely early next year).

Mr.DB,
  Ill definitely get drunk with you on the train, only if the brooklyn thing is dead. If its Newark for just a year, this team wont get a dollar from me (and I spend a lot on this team). I will then be switching season tickets to the Devils and drink with my friends and other Devils fans on the train to Jersey’s Team games. Im just hoping for brooklyn to bust. I know a lot of people that feel the same way I do, so if the team breaks ground before this year, the Nets will be losing a lot of loyal New Jersey fans.

BTW, am I the only one on this site that despises Stern? I honestly dislike this guy. It would make me a lot happier if he didnt grow up in Jersey and wasnt on the board of overseers at Rutgers. He is just so anti-Jersey with this and it completely enrages me.

MrT,
Either it’s a typical NJ scam in order to justify the dump being open, or that article is BS. I hope you are right. What’s the point of keeping that place open especially with its outstanding debt?

And jerry, some of the modern arenas/stadiums have steep seating, ie Bell Centre in Montreal. It’s not uncommon.

@Jerry,
I have sat in the upper sections at Prudential Center and I have never noticed what you are saying; I have never felt unsafe. It felt similar to other arenas/stadiums to me.

Stern is absolutely a creep. Anyone who lets the Seattle Supersonics go and become the OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER instead of just waiting for the next expansion team to move there is just a greedy bastard. Instead of “NBA Europe”, he better get his act straight and focus on expanding into Kansas City, and back to Seattle, if he really wants to expand which almost all owners do. Only reason Stern cant come out n support the Rock is not only to appease his NBA owners whom he essentially works for, but becasue the Rock is owned by a hockey owner lol. that simple. lame politics. Izod must be knocked down, and if not made into a nice casino or IMAX theatre, at LEAST another one of those big parking garages to accomodate their precious lil stupid Xanadu crap, along with the new Stadium of course. There is a reason that Brooklyn felt so right for many of us. because it was just that. if done in a nonexcessive, community oriented way, they could have easily built an arena equivalent to that of the modest yet state of the art Rock, and bring back pro sports to the most thorough Borough. but the Rat had to have plans over-the-top because he thought he would not get approval for his bs plans. all the 2,600 “low-income housing”, retail space etc along with Frank Gehry as bait, making the panels and judiciary thnik Gehry was actually gona be the architect, just using his star power. Similar to that of JayZ, who I recently found out barely owns 7%… OF 1%! he literally owns less than 1%, clearly not an investor at all let alone owner, they just used his name to gain more recognition and approval. besides that JayZ is a Knicks fan lol. as is prob. more than 1 million of BK’s 2.7 million inhabitants. we must move to the Rock and stay there, were not the Knicks and we dont need to rely solely on free agents. thats what Rod aka God Thorn is for. were 2-3 solid free agents away from being a title contender once again. Newark, we go hard, we go hard.

It is now clear from reading these posts and a little common sense that there is a vast conspiracy underway with the Nets at its center. The pod people have traveled from the outer reaches of space to replaced Obama, Medvedev, Stern, and Prokhorov with their shape shifting minions so that the Nets can again become a championship team. It’s so obvious, people!

After sending Sam Cassell years ago to scout the NBA (no shape shifting necessary), the pods then planted Yormark with the Nets. Ratner’s getting a development deal on their home planet to keep quiet. A coincidence that Thorn could not confirm that he really met with Prokhorov recently? I think not. He had legitimate doubts after the Proky-pod ate braised nickel and gold for lunch. No wonder he’s spending $18K for meals—precious metals ain’t cheap these days. I for one welcome our new alien overlords. Unless they think they can build around Yi.

I told you so… I been posting how Proky will make things happen and quickly. People are naive when it comes to money and its power to get things done that did not seem possible. I would bet Proky and his people are influencing events we are now witnessing. I have stated that I believe Proky will buy the Nets even if Brooklyn falls thru. I guess we will just have to see what happens. Go Proky, Lets go Nets.

I got bored of reading through all of these comments – but I will say this. It seems that IZOD will actually make out better than Prudential Center for the life of this deal (if I am interpreting correctly).

IZOD loses the Nets who go to play 1-2 seasons at Prudential Center. Prudential Center will gain x amount of money through the additional ticket sales, parking, concessions over 41 games per year, along with getting the $2m already owed to them by the Devils.

Prudential loses any concert revenue or special events that they have hosted in the past – as these will go to IZOD. I wonder if this means that Seton Hall will now play at IZOD rather than Prudential? I would think its impossible to coordinate the schedule of an NHL team, an NBA team and a college team.

IZOD Center will gain any concert, circus, etc that used to be held at Prudential Center – and perhaps will be renovated strictly as an entertainment complex. They may also gain Seton Hall home games and any sort of additional college or high school basketball tournaments. If the Xanadu Complex is ever built – having an arena centered around concerts/special events is a benefit to the entertainment destination status of that project.

In 1-2 seasons – Prudential Center will most likely lose the Nets (there is too much at stake between politicians, owners and the powers that be in the NBA for this Brooklyn move not to happen) while also losing their concert/special event revenues.

IZOD Center was expecting to lose the Nets for Brooklyn anyways – so by agreeing to waive the $7.5 million fee for them to leave IZOD for Prudential, they will gain exclusive ownership of all concerts and special events in the NJ area.

I think that the big winner here is IZOD Center. Hosting Nets home games in recent years has probably resulted in negative cash flow (electricity, staff, need to schedule around Nets games, etc vs the amount of ticket sales revenue, parking and concessions it actually generated). Getting an exclusive agreement to host all entertainment events is something that will still generate money 5 years from now. IZOD is a great place to see a concert because even the nosebleeds are relatively close to the floor compared to other arenas.

The Nets also win in this scenario – as they will play in a newer arena with more ammenities which should benefit them in free agency this summer.

I think Prudential Center is the big loser here. They will get at most 2 seasons (and could just be 1.5 seasons if the Nets were to move to new arena at All Star Break) of Nets home games while trading away future revenues from concerts and special events. They will also inevitably lose the revenues (however small) of Seton Hall home games and probably lose the ability to host any tournament games of March Madness due to NHL and NBA schedules – meaning these games would go to IZOD Center.

Only way this works out for Newark is if the Nets don’t go to Brooklyn (not likely) or if another NBA team decides to relocate to Newark (not sure this area can support 3 basketball teams).

Everyone proclaiming not to buy season tickets at the Rock until Brooklyn is dead, just RELAX. The Dec 31 deadline is the key so You’ll know well before season tickets for 2010 come around if BK is happening or dead. From what’s been said here, Barclay’s isnt extending their naming-rights deadline again so if Dec 31 comes and there’s no groundbreaking, the entire saga is over. Ratner shouldve had the team in Newark all along but he was being cocky and smug thinking BK was just gonna happen overnight and be a walk in the park. He never imagined Goldstein and the others would keep him wrapped up in legal red-tape for this long. Now he’s trying to get the team in Newark and stop some of the bleeding, not to mention if he has to sell the team after Dec 31, he’ll want to suffer as few losses as possible while courting a new owner. If Booker/Vanderbeek are serious about having a team of investors interested in buying the Nets then January 2010 will be the time to finally reveal the cards. My personal feeling is that BK wont happen before Dec 31, it just seems like there are too many things going on between court cases and getting the 500 million from investors. If Prokhorov was serious about winning I wouldnt mind seeing him own the team, anyone would be better than Ratner.

Jeff Vanderbeek and the Devils management should not be fooled by this scam.
The need to keep the concerts and shows at The Rock, do not let them go to the SwampZod center which should be imploded.

The Nets will be lame duck for 2 seasons at most, then what?

The Rock’s the best arena I have been to on the east coast and this includes Philly, Boston, DC, NY & Florida.

I would support the Nets if they committed to NJ and not NY.

Oh, and the upper levels at The Rock are fine, ever sat in the 400 level at MSG, that is not comfortable at all.

@TheMann,

Agreed. We’ll know alot more after Dec. 31, 2010.

That is a good point from TheMann. Let’s not forget that there is only two months left and Ratner still hasn’t been able to get those bonds. Even if they lose the last lawsuit all they really have to do is have the clock run out before he can get the bonds. Another good thing I like about the Prudential Center is that for me, paying to park for Nets game can now be a thing of the past, because I know where I can park nearby for free. Now, I don’t have always shill out twelve dollars (it was originally ten at the Meadowlands) before I go in. The blocks south of it are not that bad to park there and risk your car from being stolen or vandalized. This would give me a chance to explore Newark while I am passing the time, and with that money I didn’t spend on parking, I won’t have to worry about what I get around there or at the game. The Nets should have been there since it opened.

LoL @ Ted – explore Newark. If you do, go east to the Ironbound section, and stil watch out. Many drinking nutcases. South and west of the arena is a scary burned out area. I’ve already explored many times. I’m an urban planner in an nearby Essex County “Neark suburb” and I have an interest in demographics and real estate development. During the day, you can zip around. Everyone with anything to live for is not there at night.

I get why Jersey people (like me) would want the Nets to stay at IZOD or go to Newark, or find another place in Jersey. I hope that happens too. I get it.

If that doesn’t happen, what I don’t get is why Jersey people (like me) who are Nets fans (like me) would stop following the team and support in some way a team that is less than 20 miles away, still on your local cable networks, still in your local newspapers. Yeah, you might not go to as many games, but why would you lose interest in the team?

Ultimately, if the proposed move to Brooklyn happens I think most metro NY/Jersey Nets fans will remain fans that at least follow the team, but clearly would attend less games. I also don’t follow the logic that Jersey people would be “second class” fans as noted by someone called openheads above. That’s silly talk. Clearly the proposed move to Brooklyn is not taking into consideration the interest of Jersey residents, but if you pay for a ticket, you go to the game, and you enjoy all the rights and privileges of a "first class" fan or whatever.
 
I will ride for the Nets as long as they stay within arms reach – which is anywhere within a much larger radius than the New York boroughs. Pouting will not keep them in Jersey anyway. Wish away – I just hope they don’t move to another time zone. I fear having to root for the new Sonics, which I wouldn’t do.

Wew, I like watching Mr. T and Net Income go at it. I think they should make a bet and put their money and/or Columbia-duPont award where their mouth is. : ).

I kid.

@Ryan

Scheduling won’t be that big a problem. Staples Center schedules around TWO NBA teams, a hockey team, a WNBA team, the Pac 10 tournament as well as an extra 100 events ranging from boxing to WWE to MMA to concerts to kids shows.

yea baby the rock is guna b rocking every night. imagine next yr opening night with a big name free agent or 2 the place will be insane !evry game will be packed!

Its Dec 31, 2009 not 2010 which is the deadline for tax exempt bonds. as well as Barclays Bank already extended agreement with their proposed arena ($400 mil over 20 yrs for Barclays Centre Coliseum). ANd as Ive said, Ratner’s main company, the parent company Forest City Enterprises, which has taken the bulk of the millions of $ the Nets lose annually playing in 1 of the most inept buildings in one of the worst traffic spots on Earth, has repeatedly told Ratner that they are “finished with the Nets” after this yr if ground is not broken, which would of course presumably mean the sale of the franchise. Also u gota understand, at least according to the article, its all “major concerts” so what that means for Prudential and events outside of sports remains to be seen. I think most would agree though that Atlantic Yards is the most evil subplot ever recorded, literally making only 1 person (two if Prok remains and they build) embarassingly enriched while blighting the entire surrounding downtown BK neighborhood, screwing over 680 families as they have already been kicked out of their homes which are already leveled to the ground, and screwing us sports fans as u know almost all those seats thruout the entire building will be filled with corporate sponsors and sweetdealers. WE DO NOT NEED BROOKLYN TO THRIVE. WE NEED A STATE OF THE ART ARENA LOCATED WITHIN A CITY WITH A FANBASE DYING FOR A PRO SPORTS TEAM OTHER THAN HOCKEY. Move the franchise to Newark, maintain a stable ownership group MAYBE even eventually Prok, SINCE THERE IS JUST AS WIDESPREAD A RUSSIAN POPULATION AROUND NEWARK AS THERE IS IN BRIGHTON BEACH, and watch the championships roll in. Newark Nets Brick City 2010-… The New Dynasty, the Newark Dynasty

I find it an irony that there are those who commented on that article from the Bergen Record about having the Nets in Newark. Many of them think it would hurt the Meadowlands even though the Izod Center can still host other events. I won’t argue that there are disadvantages for the Prudential Center such as upper level seats are not that good, the area near it can be gridlocked due to closed streets, and not meant for those driving hence no official garage or lot. However, the advantages tend to weigh in a lot more such as being right by downtown Newark, having a good atmosphere, located near both major train and bus hubs, and easy to get to from highways. The only good thing I probably like about the Izod Center is that it’s very easy to get in and out of, but it has so many other bad things such as being way outdated and expensive for a facelift, have to be there early enough for a good parking spot unless you don’t mind walking across from Giants Stadium in the cold, and even if you are there early, there isn’t much to do before they let you in where at least in Newark you can walk along it’s major streets nearby to pass the time. A good way to help with that truce is to have concerts and other minor events in both places, so that those that drive can go over to the Izod Center, while those that don’t drive can see them in the Prudential Center.

Tal says,
The only good thing I probably like about the Izod Center is “that it’s very easy to get in and out of,”

Xanadu screwed that up.

And can someone explain the following:
“Upper level seats aren’t that good.” Really? I’ve been to several games, all in the upper level. and the view is quite good. In fact, most people I’ve heard from said there isn’t a bad seat in the house. If you’re worried about how steep it is, walk slow and don’t drink!

The problem with many new sports facilities is that they design them mainly for the rich. They not only get to have the best views, they even get luxury suites. Due to the demands for putting more level of seats, it sort of makes those who are cheap at a bad view where they would feel better watching them at home on their HDTVs. It would be nice if the upper level seats weren’t so sloped. Most of the time I go to Nets games, I always end up sitting in the cheap seats almost at the roof, which is why I get my food before so that I won’t have to walk back up. I get tired just walking up the stairs of the aisle. Try sitting at MSG or even Staples Center where the players look like ants when sitting at the very top. I think that two levels is enough for whatever sports facility is being built be it a stadium or arena.

The NJSEA was relying on the Xanadu to renew interest in the meadowlands as well create revenue outside sports and events. Anyone who drives rt. 3, the turnpike, or read the papers knows how that is turning out. Their last line of defense was the nets penalty at the IZOD.
 When it comes down to it, the IZOD wasn’t built to meet with current needs a sports franchise. I remember in 1996 what they had to do for the final four, because it couldn’t support all needs of the NCAA, TV, etc. The NCAA announced that it wouldn’t be used for a final four again, but still use it for other games. that was well over a decade ago. which should have been a warning sign

@ Tal
  I agree 100%. Most sports facilities built in the last decade have people with deep pockets in mind (particularly corporate ones). The Rock, the new yankees stadium, citi field, and the new stadium at the meadlowlands aren’t any different. The problem is no one saw the economic downturn and the recession. We saw what happened at the new stadiums this year, the corporate money that Mets are yankees were looking wasn’t there and there were a lot empty expense seats

so your point is that the recession will last forever?

The Nets have also reduced the number, size and price of the suites at Barclays.

@ NI
My point wasn’t that the recession will last forever, but the sport franchises shouldn’t be counting on corporate money for a while.

I think this is awesome news. I’m a retired Army vet living in the DC area, but I was borned and raised in Newark. I have plenty of family there (off Broard St.) and this will definitely motivate me and family to attend some Nets games.