Good. Obviously I want us in Brooklyn but if it did somehow fall through and then Prokhorov dumped us it would be devastating. At least we would still have an owner who was willing to spend money on us if we had to stay in NJ.

We’d move the team to Newark permanently in that event I would hope.

I find this difficult to believe…not impossible, but difficult. Also, note that Stein has one source and he writes that Prokhorov “apparently” would be willing to do this. First of all, Brooklyn isn’t dead. Second, Prokhorov’s deal with Ratner would have to be completely renegotiated with the arena component.

The bulk of the money he is paying out is for the 45% interest in the arena. He is, according to Nets insiders, paying $1 for the 80% interest in the team—with the agreement he will eat 80% of its current $210 million debt and $60 million in future debt. The $200 million is for the 45% interest in Barclays Center and an option to buy 20% of the overall Atlantic Yards development. And any team in Newark, as a tenant of the Devils, is going to lose money, period.

And I don’t see Prokhorov as a Jersey guy. He certainly has the money. Not only does he have that $7 billion in cash. Not only does he have no debt. His biggest asset other than the cash is his ownership stake in the world’s sixth biggest gold producer. Gold hit an all time high yesterday. Also, yesterday, it was reported that he has coverted debt he holds in the world’s biggest aluminum maker into stock, giving him a 20% stake.

let’s face it….the Nets almost won a title in the IZOD center some years back. They can win if they are built right. Clearly Newark is a much better choice, and if they can’t do Brooklyn, playing there is better than losing them to another city, and a huge upgrade over the SWAMP,
either way hope the Russian gets involoved asap or this losing will go on for years

Well this is good to hear

maybe the plugged in source is Joe or Mr. Dollar Bill or Taj or Joe2 or Chris or…… He has a way out if Brooklyn fails. He is not stupid. Maybe he moves the team to Russia – or Brighton Beach ….

I’m not convinced this team is moving to Brooklyn. They just can’t seem to get that project off the ground. Newark is ready, willing, and able to support this team. Keep them in New Jersey.

Not surprised in the least we are beginning to hear (and read) this sort of talk. At least some posters here are warming to the idea that Newark may in fact be a long-term proposition.

Dream-scenario

I’m not any happier about the thought of playing in Newark than I was 2-3 years ago. It’s just a better option than the Izod…so is a sewer. Brooklyn is without question what is best for this team in every possible way but if it somehow doesn’t happen it would be nice to at least play in front of a few fans and still have an owner who is willing to spend.

I desperately hope Brooklyn still happens and I think it will.

Good stuff.

Stay in jersey……and please win a game already

I dont buy it. It’s either the Brooklyn nets or the seattle/kansas city nets.

:) so an investor who would consider Newark has emerged!

Has the thought crossed Prokhorov’s mind yet that he could buy the Devils and the Rock plus probably the entire srrounding block for less than it costs to build the Barclays? Hmmm. I think a few conversations may have occurred at the preseason game. Just think if that entire block is transformed into a sports entertainment destination. With the right vision, it could become one of the premier sites in the world.

There is a chance this all goes very very bad and that scares me. Could you imagine a 10 win season followed by Porkhorov dropping out of the picture. Ouch.

If Brooklyn falls apart, I sure hope the team ends up in Newark.

@Kevin,

The only thing I don’t buy is the Seattle/ Kansas City Nets. That was NEVER substantiated, and the only place I heard that rumor was from folks on this site. Keep in mind that there was talk of moving to Newark long before Ratner bought the team and tried to initiate his Brooklyn boondoggle.

@Ispartan,

That’s exactly what I’ve been saying for the past three years on this site. The type of development planned for Brooklyn makes more sense in downtown Newark. People actually want that sort of development in Newark. There would be little (if any) resistancee to that plan. Newark is a potential gold mine, and an arena is already in place. If Proky wanted to buy the Devils and Nets and the Prudential Center, then there would be no need to build a $1 billion arena with a single tenant and no provisions for ice hockey.

Of course Ratner and all the owners will say no. They have taken a “Brooklyn will happen no matter what” stance. If they say they’ll keep the team in Jersey, it puts doubt in potential investors that they are even going to Brooklyn. I mean, whatever, both places have their pros and cons (Nwk vs. Bklyn), but I think I speak for all Nets fans when I say that I just can’t wait until something is set in stone.

so cdr’s twiiter update says he just got call from DOCTOR an he said it is bad news, maybe he has SWINE FLU? r season is going down the toilet

Prokhorov is a player. He has zero connections to NJ. If Brooklyn is out, he will take the Nets to the biggest market he can as soon as he can.

Does anyone know if there is a date set for when the courts come back with the final decision on the eminent domain suit? It was supposed to be in mid November, right? In any case, I like Prokhy so I hope he takes over the team whether we are in Brooklyn or in NJ.

I don’t know the exact date, but it’s supposed to occur between mid-November and Thanksgiving (at least that’s the last I heard).

NetsSince76,

The nearest biggest market is the Newark area (Jersey).

@MrT
Let me ASSURE you, Kansas City is very real. NBA may not want to have the Nets move there, but there IS interest. The next biggest market is not Newark. It is not even the nearest big market. Look East for that.

Also, Brooklyn is not dead. Stein said “apparently” and based it on one source. No Newark “investor” has emerged.

I live 18 minutes from the Rock and still think the best thing for this team is Prokhorov owning the Brooklyn Nets.

@Chris2
There is no date for the Court of Appeals to rule. It could happen Monday or it could happen in early December. It is entirely within the court’s discretion. Prior to the release of the ruling, only the lawyers for the two sides will get a warning that it is coming down. They will not be told the substance of the ruling.

Anyone who tells you they know the specifics should be dismissed.

@matt
It is likely swine flu. Not a lot of season flu right now. He is also in the age group most susceptible. But the Nets have three days off after the Celtics game, so he may get enough rest to play again soon. He will likely have lost weight.

Be ready!!!

http://www.zazzle.com/njnyets

Net Income,

Congrats on living so close to the Rock. You continually display poor judgment.

And until I hear ANYTHING about KC or Seattle as a real possibility, I won’t get worked up.

Glad to hear you’re still around, though. I was wondering when you’d comment.

This would definitely be awesome, if not just a pipe dream.

I say Proky should still own the Nets even if Brooklyn does fail. If he doesn’t, then Vanderbeek can simply take them. As as the Nets remain a NJ team, I couldn’t care less who owns them.

If it does fail and Proky still wants to own the team then let him. Maybe he can purchase the Devils too and just run “The Rock” in an ideal scenario. I’m sure Proky owning an NHL team too would be big.

…or he could overpay the Dolans for the Knicks and Rangers.

God forbid… the only scenario where I might actually vote for a Brooklyn move!

I think “PROKS” will backout. Buying NETS is like he bought an old Ford Pinto. Good luck maybe the chinese will buy it.
Nah, they won’t even trade-in their bicycle.
Maybe China will sanctioned their players not to play in NBA if only they are going to the NETS.

This is some interesting news to say in the least. However I’m always bugged when folks say the moving to Brooklyn will give the Nets more access to the media. The Nets already share the # 1 media market in the NBA with the Knicks, so it’s a lateral move.
 If you are Prokhorov you have to weigh you options here. His current deal is completely depend on 3 things
1. a ruling in current eminent domain case
2. Ratner’s ability to sell nearly $650 million dollars of bonds by 12/31
3. NBA approval, which probably won’t happen until next year.
 All these factors are out of his control. Any smart businessman will always do the their research and have a plan B. I don’t think Prokhorov would gotten into this deal if he didn’t think about the possible outcomes. Didn’t anyone think it was funny that at the game in Newark Prokhorov’s people were looking around and talking with people from the Rock and other NJ officials? Should the deal fall through I’d expect him to renegotiate the sale. Which goes back to my first point about the market. Regardless if the team’s in Newark he still shares the #1 media market in the NBA. All he has to do is make the team profitable, not popular to be a success