Ratner, Jay-Z, But Not Prokhorov, Will Wield Shovels Thursday
It may be Bruce Ratner's last official act as the Nets' principal owner and Jay-Z's first appearance at any Nets-branded event this season. Thursday's Barclays Center ground breaking in downtown Brooklyn will feature them as well as the team's CEO, Brett Yormark; Barclays CEO Bob Diamond; and three of the project's biggest political supporters: Governor David Paterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Brooklyn Boro President Marty Markowitz. Protestors from Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn are hoping to get some attention as well, claiming the state is "caging" them. No word if any of the Nets will be on hand. The team will between games in Dallas and Oklahoma City, although Yi Jianlian will be available. Not on hand: Mikhail Prokhorov, who awaits approval by the NBA Board of Governors.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 1:30 at the corner of Fifth and Atlantic Avenues in Brooklyn, acccessible via ten subway lines and Long Island Railroad at the Atlantic Terminal station, now promoted as part of the overall Atlantic Yards project. The ground breaking will be broadcast live on YES.
- Paterson, Bloomberg, Markowitz, Ratner, Jay-Z (but no Prokhorov) scheduled for arena ground breaking Thursday - Norman Oder - Atlantic Yards Report
- Atlantic Yards Groundbreaking Set for Thursday - Brooklyn Eagle
- Atlantic Yards Update: New Renderings; Signage Debated!
- Barclays Center- Renderings - Barclays Center
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Prokhorov will arrive unexpectedly
by jumping off his helicopter
by Andy. on Mar 9, 2010 8:25 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Why Not Just Exhume Art Modell and Hold the Ceremony in Cleveland?
Those two bastards (the RAT and the useless celebrity) are the worst owners ever. And yes I know the rapper is a small minority owner… in previous postings I explained how, for his share, he is HORRIBLE! I’d rather see ANYONE but those two wielding the shovels. ANYONE! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANYOOOOOOOOONE!!!!
Those two should not be rewarded… I wish ill on them. And I never wish ill on anyone, but I will make an exception for these two usless piles of flesh and bone. They are wastes of breath. This isn’t a personal attack, cuz both are way too rich and powerful to ever see this, and too malevolent to care.
by Paul G. B. (formerly Paul B) on Mar 9, 2010 1:45 PM EST reply actions
Please! Stop!
This is giving me a seizure!
THAT"S GREAT
I hope the RAT knows he’s hated and that it bothers him, although it’s just as likely to make him giddy with joy.
I feel a little bad for wishing ill on the rapper. He is not as bad as Ratner… but still bad. I wish him a medium level inconvenience instead.
by Paul G. B. (formerly Paul B) on Mar 9, 2010 6:22 PM EST up reply actions
Mostly a photo-op
I wouldn’t count on this as meaning that it will be built. I do know that the opposition will be there protesting it. Again, it will be ashame I can’t be there myself because of my job and how my position important to it, but I will wish them the best of luck. On a sidenote, if anyone still hasn’t seen The Battle of Brooklyn, it will be shown at Freddy’s Bar and Backroom tommorow night at 8:30 PM sharp, so it will provide a good oppurtunity for those who haven’t already seen it.
I can see no harm if one of the Lieutenants shows up instead of Proky. It would send a positive signal.
Correct me if I am wrong, but Prokhorov has committed (200 + 170 + 60) = $430 million towards the Nets and may still buy over $100 million in bonds which will support Barclays. Without this commitment from Prokhorov, the Bonds for Barclays would not have been sold.
If the final deal didn’t go through and Proky were to then back out of Barkley’s, there would be no reason to have a Ground Breaking. Therefore it should break no rules if Proky was present. Having one of his Lieutenants present might be even better. It would put Proky’s underling on an equal footing with Mayor Bloomberg and the Governor – thus making Proky above them all.
Approval from the NBA should be irrelevant because no NBA business is going to be discussed. The people most responsible for Barclay’s should be represented.

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