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April 6, 2009
State looks to keep Izod in step with Meadowlands upgrades
Sports Business Journal
by Don Muret
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority plans to select an architect in the next few weeks to design upgrades to Izod Center, but it’s not a ploy to keep the Nets from leaving the Meadowlands.
The idea is to keep the arena up to date as construction continues on Xanadu, the $2 billion retail and entertainment project next door, and a new rail line opens this summer with service to the sports complex, said Dennis Robinson, the authority’s president and CEO.
The Nets have been trying for the past five years to build Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Team owner Bruce Ratner has said publicly that the project will break ground this year and open for the 2011-12 season. Their lease at Izod Center expires at the end of the 2012-13 season.
“They know we are very interested in having the Nets remain at Izod Center long term should the Brooklyn project not materialize,” Robinson said.
NoLandGrab: Sinking money into an arena that may be teamless in a couple years doesn't seem like a very good investment, but NJSEA CEO Robinson doesn't sound convinced that the Nets are Brooklyn-bound.
Posted by eric at April 6, 2009 8:50 PM