« The Nets are coming to Newark! The Nets are coming to Newark! Maybe | Main | Atlantic Yards Report Sunday Supplement »
October 25, 2009
Nets-to-Newark plan draws cautious response from leading Democrats
This article indicates that there is some negotiating left to do before the Nets will be able to leave the Izod Center for the Prudential Center.
A deal between the Izod Center and Prudential Center that would see the New Jersey Nets temporarily move to Newark received a lukewarm reaction from three leading Democrats with a long history of interest in the issue, a report in the Record said.
State Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex) told the newspaper the deal rests on whether the Nets will get an arena in Brooklyn, fearing that the team could move to another city outside the area. State. Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) said in the report he is concerned about keeping the Izod Center in East Rutherford open and reserving judgment until he gets more financial detail.
And Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, who has campaigned for the state to close the Izod Center, said he doesn't want to see the state putting any money into the 28-year-old arena.
Under the deal, the Prudential Center would become New Jersey's prime sports venue -- home to Nets pro basketball, New Jersey Devils hockey, Seton Hall University basketball, indoor pro soccer and indoor pro lacrosse. The city of Newark would reportedly get more than $2 million in back rent from the Devils. The Izod Center would become the concert and family show hub for northern N.J.
Posted by steve at October 25, 2009 8:56 AM