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December 26, 2010
Top 10 Most Influential New Jersey Sports Personalities of 2010
Press Box
By Mike Vorkunov
- Mikhail Prokhorov- When a charismatic Russian oligarch takes over a team, it’s hard not to put him somewhere on here. The New Jersey Nets owners did plenty this year, although mostly symbolic than effectual. He allowed Nets fans to believe again when it seemed like his money and influence would land a big name free agent this summer. He certainly made things interesting by placing a billboard of himself and minority owner Jay-Z across from Madison Square Garden and sent Knicks owner Jim Dolan into a tizzy. Let’s not forget that while former Nets owner Bruce Ratner may have his slimy hands over the team’s future Brooklyn home and Atlantic Yards project, it was Prokhorov’s money that resuscitated it. The New York Observer put him No. 38 on its New York Power 150 list, 14 spots higher than New York’s actual NBA team owner. Considering all that, it’s hard to say nyet to him on this list.
Posted by steve at December 26, 2010 9:48 AM