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January 15, 2009
New Jersey Devils owner still wants New Jersey Nets to play at Prudential Center
Newark Star Ledger
By Steve Politi
The intrigue continues as Jeff Vanderbeek, owner of the New Jersey Devils, states his desire to continue negotiating with the New Jersey Nets so that the Nets can play pre-season games at Newark's Prudential Center. The possibility of the Newark games has fueled speculation that the Nets are looking for an out as construction for the arena for the proposed Atlantic Yards project becomes increasingly doubtful.
Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek fired back at his counterparts with the Nets Wednesday, telling the NBA team in a letter that he had every intention of making a proposal to host Nets preseason games at the Prudential Center and was surprised that the team abruptly stopped negotiations.
Vanderbeek questioned the timing of the recent media reports about the games and said Nets CEO Brett Yormark broke off discussions with the Devils without contacting the team directly.
"I believe direct communication is important," Vanderbeek wrote in the letter, a copy of which he provided to The Star-Ledger. "Let me clearly state that nothing would please the Devils' organization and the Prudential Center more than hosting several Nets preseason games next year and more into the future."
Posted by steve at January 15, 2009 8:53 AM