TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- The sale of the New Jersey Nets brought the NBA team one step closer to returning to New York.

 

The move appeared imminent after Brooklyn developer Bruce Ratner reached an agreement Wednesday to buy the team. Ratner wants to move the team to Brooklyn, where it would play in a new, 19,000-seat arena he plans to build as part of a $2.5 billion office, residential and shopping complex.

 

The agreement between Ratner and Community Youth Organization, which owns the Nets, must be ratified by the board of YankeeNets, the holding company of the Nets and New York Yankees, at a meeting Friday morning. The sale price is believed to be around $300 million.

 

``I'm very pleased that the process worked and was very successful, and I'm very glad it's over. It was a very intense process of negotiation,'' said Edwin Stier, president of the Community Youth Organization.

 

If the sale goes through, it will deal an apparent final blow to efforts by a New Jersey-based group to keep the team in the state. Real estate developer Charles Kushner and Sen. Jon S. Corzine had pledged to keep the team in New Jersey, though they hadn't said publicly whether they would have kept it at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford or moved it to a new arena planned for Newark.

 

The plan to build an arena in Newark was stalled by disagreements over how to fund the project.

 

Corzine and Ratner declined comment Wednesday night, while attempts by The Associated Press to reach Kushner through his office were unsuccessful. Ratner's bid was reportedly $300 million. Stier wouldn't comment on the amount.

 

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``Charlie Kushner bid $300 million in cash to keep this team in New Jersey, and he is disappointed with the result,'' Kushner's spokesman Bob Sommer told The Record of Bergen County and The Star-Ledger of Newark for Thursday's editions.

 

Stier said he informed Kushner of the board's decision late Wednesday.

 

``He told me he appreciated the way the process was run,'' Stier said. ``All the parties who participated expressed that to me.''

 

Ratner declined comment through spokesman Barry Baum.

 

George Zoffinger, president of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which operates Continental Airlines Arena and the rest of the Meadowlands complex, expressed dismay that the Nets accepted Ratner's offer.

 

``Early in the afternoon we thought they had accepted Kushner's bid. Then, something happened,'' Zoffinger said. ``I don't know if New York City put up more money, or if Ratner and New York City put up more money, but basically it fell through.''

 

The Nets are one of the NBA's more well-traveled franchises. The team began as the New Jersey Americans in the old American Basketball Association 1967 and played in a converted armory in Teaneck. In subsequent years, the Nets played in arenas in Commack, West Hempstead and Uniondale -- all on Long Island -- and then at Rutgers University before moving into the Brendan Byrne Arena at the Meadowlands complex for the 1981-82 season.

 

The borough has not had a major sports franchise since baseball's Dodgers left for Los Angeles in 1957.

 

Construction on the Nets' proposed new home, Ratner's planned Brooklyn Arena and Brooklyn Atlantic Yards, would begin next year, with the arena expected to be completed in time for the 2006-2007 NBA season.

 

According to a statement released by Ratner, the rest of the project would take 10 years to complete.

 

The Nets were in San Antonio on Wednesday night, where they lost to the Spurs 99-76.

 

When asked after the game about the possible move, Jason Kidd replied: ``When do we move? I'll probably be retired. That's nice, so you guys don't have to ask us anymore.''

 

Not everyone is in favor of having the Nets in Brooklyn. Opponents say the development will displace up to 1,000 residents.

 

``He may have the Nets. He doesn't have the land and he doesn't have the arena, and if he plans to build it here and use eminent domain to forcibly take the properties of 1,000 of my neighbors, I know he has a huge fight on his hands,'' said Patti Hagan, spokeswoman for a group of residents opposed to the project.

 

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and many other city officials are in favor of the plan, although the area's city councilwoman and state senator have come out against it.

 

``I'm very disappointed,'' said city councilwoman Letitia James, whose district includes the area where the arena would be located. ``It's a great day for rich developers and a sad day for working families.''

 

At least one local politician fully supports the move. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz told radio station WCBS-880 on Wednesday night: ``I believe this will be the best thing to happen to Brooklyn in decades.''

Jay Z is gonna make himself the starting SG

i hope this doesn't mean that they're going to make a future expansion franchise in NJ

Crappy neighborhood, but at least I'll have an NBA team nearby.

Crappy neighborhood, but at least I'll have an NBA team nearby.

brooklyn (like the rest of nyc) is taking steps. the nest moving to brooklyn would be a huge step in regenerating the neighborhood

 

did you know brooklyn has a minor league baseball team? theyre called the cyclones and play in the same league as the jamestown jammers :thumbup

I live 1 mile from the Cyclones.

I'm saying the Nets would be in a crappy part of Brooklyn.

I think this idea is totally stupid. Just like I think it's stupid to have 293643 teams in Cali. I mean geez, there's a team for every damn city.

 

I'm sure everybody in Brooklyn and NYC is happy and I would be too if I lived in NYC but it's just useless to me. Why cram all the teams to certain cities and states when there's countless cities you could put teams?

 

On the other hand, I guess NJ wasn't doing too good with attendance, didn't have too many sellouts for being Eastern Conference Champs 2 years in a row.

 

But I mean I'm sure there could be other cities where they don't have a chance to have a nearby professional basketball team that are interested in having one but that's the way it is.

The Nets had the 2nd worst attendance AFTER going to the finals 2 yrs in a row.

 

Time to go.

 

Every other sport has 2 teams in NY, so why not the NBA?

Every other sport has 2 teams in NY, so why not the NBA?

very well said. even LA gets two basketball teams.

Yeah and it's stupid. Why the hell does one area need TWO teams? I will never get it.

Admin, why would it be a crappy neighborhood? It's in 'downtown' Brooklyn. Right next to the pan-African / Muslim district. Right next to good restaurants, art gallaeries, and the biggest subway transfer point east of Manhatten.

 

The Cyclones are in a decent area for a summer league team given the amoutn of visitors. Coney Island isn't ideal for a winter league team though. You want something close to major population areas because bball/hockey crowds plays enough games that people aren't willing to travel the distance they do for football.

I think this idea is totally stupid. Just like I think it's stupid to have 293643 teams in Cali. I mean geez, there's a team for every damn city.

 

I'm sure everybody in Brooklyn and NYC is happy and I would be too if I lived in NYC but it's just useless to me. Why cram all the teams to certain cities and states when there's countless cities you could put teams?

 

On the other hand, I guess NJ wasn't doing too good with attendance, didn't have too many sellouts for being Eastern Conference Champs 2 years in a row.

 

But I mean I'm sure there could be other cities where they don't have a chance to have a nearby professional basketball team that are interested in having one but that's the way it is.

I can hardly believe what I'm reading. New York is a big enough town that those types of things can happen.

New Jersey played in a sporting complex in the middle of nowhere and even though the Nets were ballin' the last 2 years, attendance and atmosphere were terrible.

 

Are you 6 years old? Sharing is overrated. Why move a team to some small town when a big city like New York can support two?

Admin, why would it be a crappy neighborhood? It's in 'downtown' Brooklyn.

There are nicer areas. Sure, it's a busy place with lots of transportation options and a good community but the area itself is not very attractive. Maybe I'm just being a lil harsh by saying crappy neighborhood but I hope some know what I mean.

Every other sport has 2 teams in NY, so why not the NBA?

Technically they do. The Nets play no farther away from NY than the Giants and Jets do.

 

 

New Jersey played in a sporting complex in the middle of nowhere

I would hardly call it the middle of nowhere. The Giants play right 'across the street' and they don't seem to have many attendence problems. The Devils play in the same building as the Nets, but I don't recall major attendence problems with them either. That complex (which also has the Meadowlands race track) is right along one of the main e-w routes out of NY (Rt. 3.)

 

If people want to go, they go.

 

Heck, look at the Fish attendence.

I think this idea is totally stupid. Just like I think it's stupid to have 293643 teams in Cali. I mean geez, there's a team for every damn city.

 

I'm sure everybody in Brooklyn and NYC is happy and I would be too if I lived in NYC but it's just useless to me. Why cram all the teams to certain cities and states when there's countless cities you could put teams?

 

On the other hand, I guess NJ wasn't doing too good with attendance, didn't have too many sellouts for being Eastern Conference Champs 2 years in a row.

 

But I mean I'm sure there could be other cities where they don't have a chance to have a nearby professional basketball team that are interested in having one but that's the way it is.

I can hardly believe what I'm reading. New York is a big enough town that those types of things can happen.

New Jersey played in a sporting complex in the middle of nowhere and even though the Nets were ballin' the last 2 years, attendance and atmosphere were terrible.

 

Are you 6 years old? Sharing is overrated. Why move a team to some small town when a big city like New York can support two? Come on.

 

I never said that they should move a team to a small town, that would be pretty dumb as well but I'm just saying I don't see the point of cramming more teams into one area. I mean I don't care that they move to Brooklyn, it's not gonna affect me but I just think it's a stupid idea, I mean the US is big enough. But whatever.

 

You have your opinion, I have mine.

they should move to the west coast. There's way too many teams on the east coast in all the sports.

San Francisco needs an NBA team

You're f***ing kidding me right?

 

California has FOUR NBA teams and San Fran has a football team and a baseball team so I don't know what kind of point you're trying to prove. Some cities are lucky to even have one of the major sports in the area.

Bay Area has the Warriors NBA Raiders and 49ers NFL Giants and A's MLB Sharks NHL...

Every other sport has 2 teams in NY, so why not the NBA?

Technically they do. The Nets play no farther away from NY than the Giants and Jets do.

 

 

New Jersey played in a sporting complex in the middle of nowhere

I would hardly call it the middle of nowhere. The Giants play right 'across the street' and they don't seem to have many attendence problems. The Devils play in the same building as the Nets, but I don't recall major attendence problems with them either. That complex (which also has the Meadowlands race track) is right along one of the main e-w routes out of NY (Rt. 3.)

 

If people want to go, they go.

 

Heck, look at the Fish attendence.BBall and football crowds are different. Football fans are more willing to travel because home games are 1. played on the weekend, 2. rare. Basketball needs to be near a large urban setting so it can draw fans in on weeknights.

 

 

 

Admin, gotcha, but I don't think there's another decent location in the borough.

BBall and football crowds are different. Football fans are more willing to travel because home games are 1. played on the weekend, 2. rare. Basketball needs to be near a large urban setting so it can draw fans in on weeknights.

yeah, who is gonna want to go from the suburbs of san fran out to oakland and back in one night?

 

If you are going to have 33 teams (like 2 or 3 more) why would you put them in some small town?

 

California has 4 teams but California is more than 1 state. You think anyone can drive from Sacramento to Oakland to see a game or from somewhere to LA?

 

Some cities are lucky to even have one of the major sports in the area.

 

Don't think of it as if you live in Cali you can choose between any 4 NBA teams.

That sucks now everyday somebody leaves the game,and is heading to their parking they will have a 75% chance of getting shot this sucks.

That sucks now everyday somebody leaves the game,and is heading to their parking they will have a 75% chance of getting shot this sucks.

What??? The Heat played in Overtown for like 12 years and nothing happened, and Downtown Brooklyn is probably trashy but not as dangerous.

That sucks now everyday somebody leaves the game,and is heading to their parking they will have a 75% chance of getting shot this sucks.

What??? The Heat played in Overtown for like 12 years and nothing happened, and Downtown Brooklyn is probably trashy but not as dangerous. Umm this is brooklyn were talking about,and it's very crazy with alot of gangsters..

You're f***ing kidding me right?

 

California has FOUR NBA teams and San Fran has a football team and a baseball team so I don't know what kind of point you're trying to prove. Some cities are lucky to even have one of the major sports in the area.

The Miami Heat should be moved to Southern California.

They can play in the Anaheim Pond.

That way it will be warmer over here in winter time.

LOL :lol :thumbup :hat

 

Southern California needs the Heat!

Umm this is brooklyn were talking about,and it's very crazy with alot of gangsters..

:blink: