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May 13, 2010
Netsky prospect: Russian mogul brings pro basketball closer to Brooklyn
NY Daily News, Editorial
Another in a long line of nonsensical Daily News editorials fluffing Atlantic Yards.
There are two ways Prokhorov, a 6-foot-7 Russian playboy who made most of his rubles in the metal business, can play his role as 80% owner of the Nets and 45% owner of a new arena under construction at Flatbush and Atlantic Aves.
He can sit back as the Nets - currently ranked 26th of 30 NBA teams in total value - see their stock soar upon relocating to the new Barclays Center. Then he could sell the team for a pretty penny and let that be that.
Or, he could put a full-court press on Brooklyn - investing time, attention and money in one of the greatest places on the planet while building what's now a JV squad into a championship-caliber franchise.
Brooklyn, denied a pro sports franchise since the team that shall not be named went West in 1957, deserves the full-court press.
Hand in hand with partner Bruce Ratner, Prokhorov must ensure swift construction of a first-class sports and concert venue. He must work to ensure that the rest of the promise of developer Ratner's Atlantic Yards is fulfilled, complete with thousands of units of affordable housing.
He must make good on Ratner's commitment of thousands of affordable seats for Brooklynites.
NoLandGrab: Yeah, Proko will be in it for the good of Brooklyn — just like Bruce is.
Posted by eric at May 13, 2010 11:44 AM