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November 22, 2004
Bloomberg, Dolan clashing over stadium
Newsday: "Whatever the outcome of the Jets stadium fight, [Harvard University sports law professor Rick] Horrow and other sports business consultants predict the next battleground will be downtown Brooklyn, where developer Bruce Ratner, the principal owner of the New Jersey Nets, is building a $435-million arena as a centerpiece of a $2.5-billion office, shopping and residential development that is backed by Bloomberg.
"Dolan lobbied NBA owners against the sale of the Nets to Ratner. He likely will try to sway owners who must eventually approve the transfer of the franchise to Brooklyn and also oppose Ratner's project. 'That'll be the second fight,' said Horrow, 'because it will impact the Garden more than the West Side stadium.'"
With all due respect to the Harvard Professor, the NBA's approval of transfer of the NJ Nets to Brooklyn is a pro forma vote by the owners. The NBA is chomping at the bit to get the Nets out of the Meadowlands.
NEWS BLOOPER: Newsday characterizes the Bloomberg-Dolan battle as being over the "plans to build a Westside Stadium" and says that Ratner "is building a $435-million arena." WAKE UP NEWSDAY! The stadium approval process is further along than the arena's. Just because the Newsday editorial board approves of the arena, doesn't make it so.
Posted by lumi at November 22, 2004 8:16 AM