NBA seems OK with Nets playing in Newark for now

By BRIAN MAHONEY, AP Basketball Writer Oct 22, 6:30 pm EDT

  • Print

NEW YORK (AP)—The NBA doesn’t seem likely to stand in the way if the New Jersey Nets decide to move their home games to Newark.

The Star-Ledger reported Thursday that the Nets were considering playing regular-season games at the Prudential Center while an arena is being built in Brooklyn, as long as they don’t have to pay an $8 million penalty to get out of their lease at the Meadowlands.

“Where they play is their decision, subject to approval, but there’s no reason why we wouldn’t approve them playing games in a beautiful new arena,” NBA commissioner David Stern said.

The Nets played two preseason games in Newark, both drawing far more than they usual at the Izod Center. The announced crowd for their 96-92 loss to New York on Wednesday night was 15,721.

Stern said he hasn’t had any direct conversation with the Nets, but was aware of the report of a potential move.

“It’s theirs to decide where, as they get ready to move to Brooklyn, where they play,” Stern said. “We don’t have a preference, it would be guided by their preference.”

The Nets would not comment.

Nets owner Bruce Ratner’s planned move to Brooklyn has been delayed by litigation, with another ruling from the Court of Appeals expected next week. But it got a boost with the proposed sale last month to Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, who will invest $200 million and make funding commitments to acquire 80 percent of the NBA team and 45 percent of the arena project.

Stern said NBA owners could vote to approve the sale by the end of the year. Even if the Nets play in Newark and are successful there, Stern is still convinced they will end up in Brooklyn, saying Prokhorov “intends to be an owner of the Brooklyn Nets and nothing else.”

Updated Oct 22, 6:30 pm EDT
digg del.icio.us
more
NBA

19 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. Reppin 4rm Big D to Jrzy
    19. Posted by Reppin 4rm Big D to Jrzy Fri Oct 23 1:18pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    its about time they started thinkin bout playin in newark.....i mean its so much more convient than rollin to the swamp......and trust me the fan base will only increase if the land some quality free agents in 2010
  2. manny t
    18. Posted by manny t Fri Oct 23 11:13am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I can't believe nobody has taken this guy out yet! Stern sucks! This is whats wrong with the NBA, NFL, and MLB! Stern has reigned horribly over the NBA for how long now?!? They should only be allowed to hold their position for so many years and if they do a good job run for re-election like a the freakin President with more than just the owners voting on it! The owners, the players, the ref's, and yes even us the fans should be able to vote on who the commish should be. Stern doesn't give a @#$% about the fans, the players, or the game obviously if he's letting this guy from Russia who has ties to criminal activity come in and take a commanding chunk of the nets! This is just ridiculous and if I was a Net fan I would freakin strike!! Sorry Jay-Z but people got to take a stand and Nets fans this is your team, your time to stand up for it!
  3. ricki
    17. Posted by ricki Fri Oct 23 9:48am EDT

    Report Abuse

    First off the NBA and Stern dont give a rats a$$ about the fans ,the community,small businesses or where they play.They care about MONEY ,And they dont care where it comes from ,wether its from the fan,the taxpayer,from Russia or the local Mob. There's a hundred thousand fans from Seattle that would love to see Stern drug back here and tarred a feather'd and ran through the streets . Brooklyn,Newark or Toad Suck Ark. Who ever ponies up the most money will be watching the Nets
  4. Chocolat
    16. Posted by Chocolat Fri Oct 23 3:27am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Then perhaps your brother should look like less of a @#$% when he comes here and he won't get robbed. Besides, the arena is like 3 blocks away from Penn station, if anyone is scared they can scurry from the station to the arena, then scurry your @#$% asses back out.
  5. <i>fwg_305</i>
    15. Posted by fwg_305 Fri Oct 23 1:41am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I am all for the Nets moving to Newark. It's a win win. The arena is already built the city is growing and gentrifying. Save all that money in moving and building and keep the team in Jersey!
  6. Christian
    14. Posted by Christian Fri Oct 23 12:35am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Matthew you are a moron. In fact does anyone outside of Newark knows it exists?

    That just shows your stupidity.

    Ratner wants nothing to do with this team and never has, they were just a stepping stone to his commercial building project. As soon as he gets it built he will sell off the team. He runs this team like that movie major league, shipping off all the good parts just so the team can move.
  7. angloamer
    13. Posted by angloamer Fri Oct 23 12:31am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Newark is great, if you dont mind being mugged before, and after, the game. It was voted the most undesireable city to have to travel to, by businessmen of America in a recent survey. Chareston was voted the best. My brother was mugged twice there, he told his boss he wont go there again under any circumstances. The place is a crime ridden dump.
  8. Josef
    12. Posted by Josef Thu Oct 22 11:02pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    who cares about the nets?
  9. -
    11. Posted by - Thu Oct 22 8:57pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    This would have international incident written all over it.
  10. Matthew C
    10. Posted by Matthew C Thu Oct 22 7:51pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    also....im not sold on newark, but in looking at the success there so far, Newark seems to work, but I think brooklyn gives them a better market.

    I mean, if you guys want even a ghost of a chance of signing Lebron, which would you think he go for more?

    The Newark Nets....or the Brooklyn Nets?

    In fact does anyone outside of Newark knows it even exists? Everyone knows Brooklyn and people swear by Brooklyn.
  11. Carlito Roc
    9. Posted by Carlito Roc Thu Oct 22 7:51pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Us here in Brooklyn cant wait for the Nets to get here. Dont believe the hype! No one lives where they are planning to put the arena besides a few hipsters in some converted factories. All that legal mumbo jumbo is keeping me from seeing all of my favorite teams 10 mins from my house!

    Brooklyn Nets! lets go!!

    The Court Kings
  12. Matthew C
    8. Posted by Matthew C Thu Oct 22 7:42pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    No way Lebron goes to new York. That team isnt going anywhere except to the lottery each year. Even with Lebron they will underachieve. He wont be happy there. Completely difference atmopshere than the locker room in Cleveland.

    Knicks might be able to land some of the lesser marqee players (or two) but not a Lebron or a Wade.

    Bottomline is that the Nets need to go to Brooklyn to have any chance of success. Lebron isnt going to the nets, nor is Wade. If they move to Brooklyn they have a shot at reinventing themselves, overhauling that franchise (something New York needs to do) and building around the great potential they have. Plus a lot of people are forgetting there are some free agents in 2011 as well that the Nets can snag up possibly.

    Are people forgetting about the Clippers? If they shed Kaman and one other player or two, they can make the Lebron-push. L.A is as big as it gets in terms of market size and how much money would Sterling AND Buss make off of Kobe/Lebron match-up 4 times per year? Sure the Clippers have eternally sucked, but with Lebron that starting 5 is DEEP. put Lebron at the two and you've got three guys who will be nightmares for defenses. (Lebron, Davis, Blake Griffin).
  13. Nubian
    7. Posted by Nubian Thu Oct 22 7:32pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Luv the Nets....BKLN is a bad move. Most people who live in that area don't want the arena. The Nets never should have left Long Island. Newark and the Nets fit like a glove. A lot easier to make the trip from NY on the PATH to Newark.
  14. Eric
    6. Posted by Eric Thu Oct 22 7:27pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    more than likely Lebron will be a knick next year. the bigger question is if the Knicks can free up enough space to get a number too. it all depends on what Curry can do. Hopefully the answer is Bosh. I wouldn't be surprised if Lebron takes a little less money to make a #2 affordable. He would get paid millions more in marketing deals if he played in New York, and millions more if he plays for a Knicks team that can win. so no Steven. If Lebron was going to play in Cleveland for his whole career he would have already accepted an agreement on a contract extension that would have allowed him to be paid more than a new free agent contract.
  15. Long Live Drazen
    5. Posted by Long Live Drazen Thu Oct 22 7:14pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Lifelong Nets fan who would LOVE to have them play in Newark.
    Driving to the Meadowlands is a huge pain in the ass, Prudential Center is a NJ Transit ride away, I would be for more apt to see games. It could also attract a large NYC surge of anti-Knicks fans. It would be 20 minutes by train from Manhattan to Newark. Could also only cost $2 on the PATH if they're willing to transfer. Please move to Newark!!!
  16. Steven
    4. Posted by Steven Thu Oct 22 6:10pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    whatever you bastards have to say, lebron will be staying at cleavalnd for the rest of his life.
  17. oLLie BoomBayay
    3. Posted by oLLie BoomBayay Thu Oct 22 6:07pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    It would be crazy if, in a rebuilding year, the Nets overachieve with their group of youngsters and make a run for the playoffs? Lee and Lopez go off, Harris becomes the elite Eastern Conf. PG and the Nets attendance explodes with the move to Newark. The Brooklyn arena gets caught up in red tape and takes more and more years to finish. In the meantime fans rise up for the Nets and the ownership decides against moving to Brooklyn. You heard it here first!
  18. Hoops
    2. Posted by Hoops Thu Oct 22 5:52pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Playing in Newark would be far better than playing in "the swamp" (East Rutherford). No question this is the better solution for the Nets.
  19. Hoops
    1. Posted by Hoops Thu Oct 22 5:52pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Playing in Newark would be far better than playing in "the swamp" (East Rutherford). No question this is the better solution for the Nets.
Sign in to post a comment, or sign up for a free account

Video Spotlight

More Videos »

YAHOO! SPORTS

ALSO ON YAHOO!

THINGS YOU CAN DO

- Site Map

Copyright © 2009 2009 STATS LLC and The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the STATS/AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of STATS LLC and The Associated Press.