new-jersey-nets
Is This Russian Billionaire Ready for Prime Time?
Hamilton Nolan · 03/29/10 10:36AMWhat's Douche of the Decade Joe Francis Up To Recently? Allegedly Involved in Casey Johnson's Last Days.
Foster Kamer · 01/10/10 11:00AMRussian Oligarchs To Bring NYC Money, 'New Perspectives'
cityfile · 10/06/09 01:03PMSome people have been a little troubled by the news a shady Russian billionaire is now buying up a local sports franchise (the Nets), as well as part of the arena that will eventually be the team's new home in Brooklyn. But not Jamie Johnson. The pharmaceutical heir and filmmaker thinks it's, like, the greatest news ever:
Russian Billionaire Buys Nets, Part of Brooklyn
cityfile · 09/23/09 01:53PMIt's official. The richest man in Russia, Mikhail Prokhorov, has taken control of the New Jersey Nets. The 44-year-old oligarch, who is worth $9.5 billion according to Forbes, signed a $200 million deal today with real estate developer/Nets owner Bruce Ratner that will make him the principal owner of the team, as well as a major investor in the Nets' long-delayed new home in Brooklyn. This makes Prokhorov the first foreign owner of an NBA team who isn't Canadian, and the "the only NBA owner who can dunk," according to Prokhorov. And the tri-state area now has its very own Mark Cuban, clearly. [NYT]
The Economic Downturn South Brooklynites Have Been Waiting For
Rebecca · 03/21/08 12:34PMHey, so about the economy. It's not that good. And the overzealous real estate market is partially to blame. As consequence, overzealous realtor Bruce Ratner has admitted that the crisis will slow down his Atlantic Yards project. Go to any bar in south Brooklyn and start hating on Atlantic Yards and you'll be talking about developing, not destroying Brooklyn in the morning. Still, it must be said: the part of downtown Brooklyn that Ratner wants to destroy is a dump. Of course it's dubious that a Nets stadium, which Ratner wants to start construction on this year, will make the area any nicer. [NYT]