Don't tell Jay-Z, but the Newark Star-Ledger had a piece Tuesday strongly implying that the Nets weighing the possibility of playing some preseason games in Newark, N.J., next season could be a prelude to scrapping the move to Brooklyn and staying in New Jersey permanently.
Dave D'Alessandro quoted a high-ranking Nets official saying that the possibility of staying in New Jersey if the Brooklyn project falls through has been discussed throughout the organization.
"That's what everyone is wondering," the person said. "With Brooklyn still up in the air, the question is whether they're warming to the idea of moving to Newark, even though it's clear that getting to Brooklyn is best for the long-term health of the franchise."
Barry Baum, the Nets' vice president for business and entertainment communications, told CBSSports.com Tuesday that any decision to play preseason games outside the IZOD Center would not affect the team's long-term goal of relocating to Brooklyn.
“They're totally completely different," Baum said. "We’re definitely moving to Brooklyn. What we do in the preseason has no bearing on anything.”
The Nets and NBA are unhappy with the antiquated IZOD Center, and the team is considering several offers to play preseason games in other arenas in the New York metropolitan area if financial agreements can be reached.
"We’re a regional team," Baum said. "So preseason offers you the opportunity to continue to regionalize yourself."
As for the long term, the Nets do not want to share a building with another tenant; the NHL's Devils currently play in Newark's Prudential Center. Although The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Nets owner Bruce Ratner is considering scaling back the Atlantic Yards project, the plan to relocate the Nets to Jay-Z's (and LeBron James') favorite borough are continuing to move forward.
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Lifelong NJ resident and avid sports fan. For the most part, I only associate with Sports Fans (not by choice but by common interests). I know of 1 person who has purchased a NETS ticket in my life. And to be fair, he purchased season tickets. 2 of them. I know, ZERO NETS fans and I have never had a conversation with anyone that involved NETS BASKETBALL. EVER. Understand that they are probably # 9 on the depth chart of Metropolitan Area Professional sports interest. The area is saturated and Hockey and NETS basketball are at the bottom.---But LETS BE REAL- NOBODY CARES ABOUT THE NETS. I know plenty of people who care about the DEVILS, and even die-hard Islander Fans. ---But again, I know NOBODY that cares about NJ NETS BASKETBALL. (except for EVAN ROBERTS on wfan--but I don't really know him.) The fact that they will be playing in NEWARK is no suprise the realists and those who follow what is going on. BROOKLYN will never happen, especially in this financial climate. The only thing that may keep them @ the BRENDAN BYRNE, CAA, IZOD center is the Bergen county politicians.--- Makes Zero sense for them not to be playing in the brand new palace in NEWARK.-- But as we say-- THIS IS NJ, Stupidity rules.