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April 29, 2005
On Nets, Stern takes Jersey politicians to task
The Newark Star-Ledger
NBA commish David Stern's comments on Nets leaving NJ:
"The Jersey politicians couldn't step up at the right time," Stern said. "There was an enormous opportunity, and New Jersey blew it. We practically begged them, but New Jersey didn't step up. ... I don't think it was the high point of New Jersey government. It just didn't happen."
Acting Gov. Codey chimes in too:
"I don't know that building a new arena would have kept the Nets here," acting Gov. Richard Codey said after the game last night. "Bruce Ratner is interested in building condos and retail space and office space, and that has nothing to do with a basketball team, which he isn't going to make money on for quite a while.
"Having said that, I had dinner with Bruce five weeks ago and he told me he can't say with surety that Brooklyn is going to happen and if it doesn't, I still think we have a real good shot to keep the team in the state."
Also:
NY Post, Stern: 'New Jersey Blew It' With Nets
NoLandGrab: The NBA had a plan on the table to move the team to Central Jersey where the Garden State Parkway and NJ Turnpike intersect -- that's later-disgraced governor McGreevy's 'hood. Codey is more interested in keeping sports franchises in the state.
Posted by lumi at April 29, 2005 7:47 AM