FanPost

Why I have a newfound respect for Brett Yormark(et)

Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.

Let me preface this FanPost by saying that I have not been too happy with Mr. Yormark in the past. When he was a rising star in the organization I was psyched that we had such a young and creative exec working for this second-rate franchise. However, whether it was the reversible jerseys, the brown bag incident, or the implication form Rod Thorn that Yormark pushed him out, I have come to be very frustrated with Brett.

My 27th birthday was some 10 days back and my present was tickets to tonight's Bulls game with my dad. The seats were great (second row behind the Nets bench), not the usual nose bleeds that I can afford. Normally I am a pretty considerate guy but sometimes the adrenaline of rooting for my favorite team turns me into a bit of an animal and I do things I usually would not.

When Brett Yormark walked up to speak with Damion James, about seven feet in front of our seats, I just couldn't resist. I looked Yormark right in the eye and gave him the thumbs down. It's easy to be angry with somebody when you only read about them but quite another thing to have an actual interaction with them. Brett, instead of turning away, walked up to me and shook my hand and then my father's. He asked me what problem I had with him?

I immediately apologized for being so rude and thanked him for asking my opinion. I said I thought he was excessive with his marketing gimmicks and that he compromised the team's integrity (although not so eloquently when put on the spot). I used the reversible jerseys as an example. Yormark came back at me by saying that it was a burgeoning international business and that the team was losing $40 million annually. It puts things in perspective when you speak with somebody who actually has to worry about such an incomprehensible number as 40 million (dollars)!

Instead of debating him on the ethics of marketing I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and relay a message. Here is where things got really interesting.

I mentioned this site, which he of course knew well. I said that many die-hard fans were apprehensive about a Carmelo Anthony trade, especially for the terms that have been quoted in the national press. His response was the most reassuring things a Nets fan could hear. Instead of denying that the team was trying to get Anthony, he bluntly stated that the Nets could already have acquired the star. However, he explicitly said, "that a trade for Anthony will be on our terms and that we can in no way gut the team in a trade." Favors was no more than 12 feet away and he pointed to him and said that giving up Derrick was already presenting the best package that they (Denver) could get. He then went on to say that trading away five picks (yes, he said five picks) was not ever going to happen. He concluded by saying that this team has no chance financially (and I believe he was implying that this would still be true after the move to Brooklyn) without a star of Anthony's caliber. I agreed with him and thanked him for his candor and he walked away.

I realized I had stopped watching the game that was suddenly going the Nets' way. Some people behind me who were basketball but not nets fans asked who that was. I replied it was the CEO of the Nets and they could not believe he reacted that way to my dis. The whole thing was very cool.

I have been opposed to a Carmelo Anthony trade all along. At first I didn't like the idea of parting with Favors (still don't) although I have relented of late after watching this team play. However, the constant reports of the Nets giving up the kitchen sink for Melo have made me very uneasy. It was the best birthday present of all to get this unique personal assurance from Nets management (and to see Rose miss that shot). Again, very cool.

Hope this makes your night. GO NETS!

In This FanPost

Teams