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October 4, 2009
Why the Russians are coming: Billionaire Prokhorov wants more than the Nets
Daily News
By Alexander Nazaryan
The author of this opinion piece feels that Russian oligarch Mikhail Prokhorov would use a purchase of the New Jersey Nets to clean up his image. There is a suggestion that Prokhorov could take steps to do better community relations than developer Bruce Ratner - by suggesting that he follow almost the same approach as Ratner.
But in buying the Nets, Prokhorov could ameliorate the image of the profligate oligarch by reaching out to Brooklyn - and not only to its Russian population. Several prominent African-American community groups support the Nets arena. Prokhorov can recognize them by offering jobs to residents of nearby housing projects and awarding contracts to minority-owned businesses. And he can smooth the feathers of opposition groups by striking a more conciliatory tone than co-owner Bruce Ratner.
NoLandGrab: Except for temporary construction jobs, the only job creation that might be expected any time soon from the proposed Atlantic Yards project would be part-time jobs connected to the arena. As for being more conciliatory to the opposition, that would really require a reworking of the project with elected officials like Council Member Tish James. It would not appear that Prokhorov wants to change anything about the development. In short: There's not much left to offer anybody but empty promises.
Posted by steve at October 4, 2009 7:50 AM