SPORT
Brooklyn Nets, or Whatever
/ Adam Underhill
07.07.08
But the Nets can’t just move here and expect an immediate group hug. Here are three important things they need to do before or upon their arrival.
The Nets must keep ticket prices affordable. Question: Which professional basketball team has the 2nd-highest average ticket price ($70.51) in the NBA? Answer: Why, it’s none other than the Big Apple’s vanguard of amateur athletics, the New York Knicks! According to TeamMarketing.com, the Nets’ average ticket price (not including luxury suites) ranks 7th in the league for this past season, at $60.98. Bruce Ratner and minority owner Jay-Z are no doubt salivating at the potential revenue from a new arena with dozens of new luxury suites, and that’s fine by me. Luxury suites are supposed to a luxury, for those who can afford them. But please, please understand that you will immediately alienate your fan base if you get greedy and jack up your regular ticket prices before a basket has been scored. Prices are expected to stay level, but we’ve seen before what one sellout season or playoff run can do to an owner. Brooklyn is not Manhattan, and although Spike Lee might defect, the Nets will still be catering to a more blue-collar fan base that will have to be convinced what you’re selling is worth its entertainment dollar. Showing that you give a damn about the average fan will endear you to them, and help foment a great rivalry with the Knicks, who charge a king’s ransom so that apathetic fans can rattle their jewelry throughout 25-win seasons. (OK, that was piling on. Believe me, I want to see the Knicks improve. I just hope they remain as entertaining as they’ve been while they’ve sucked.)
The Nets must sign LeBron James in 2010. OK, I know this is easier said than done. But in the NBA, these things first are talked about, ad nauseum, until they become self-fulfilling prophecies. LeBron James WILL be playing in Brooklyn after he becomes a free agent in 2010. The Nets traded Jason Kidd last winter and Richard Jefferson on draft day, two of their highest-paid players, so they could clear salary space for a marquee player in the future. (There can be no doubt that the overpaid and underperforming Vince Carter is on the chopping block as well.)
Of course, there will be competition for James, and some of that competition is expected to come from the Knicks. Nevertheless, expect Brooklyn to be the frontrunner in the race for LeBron, especially in light of this quote from James, made during a media blitz for USA Basketball–– James had just told reporters that his favorite city was New York, then answered a follow-up question (as reported recently by Chris Sheridan of ESPN.com):
“My favorite borough? Brooklyn. Brooklyn is definitely a great place here in New York City, and some of my best friends are from Brooklyn, so I stick up for them."
The Nets must keep ticket prices affordable. Question: Which professional basketball team has the 2nd-highest average ticket price ($70.51) in the NBA? Answer: Why, it’s none other than the Big Apple’s vanguard of amateur athletics, the New York Knicks! According to TeamMarketing.com, the Nets’ average ticket price (not including luxury suites) ranks 7th in the league for this past season, at $60.98. Bruce Ratner and minority owner Jay-Z are no doubt salivating at the potential revenue from a new arena with dozens of new luxury suites, and that’s fine by me. Luxury suites are supposed to a luxury, for those who can afford them. But please, please understand that you will immediately alienate your fan base if you get greedy and jack up your regular ticket prices before a basket has been scored. Prices are expected to stay level, but we’ve seen before what one sellout season or playoff run can do to an owner. Brooklyn is not Manhattan, and although Spike Lee might defect, the Nets will still be catering to a more blue-collar fan base that will have to be convinced what you’re selling is worth its entertainment dollar. Showing that you give a damn about the average fan will endear you to them, and help foment a great rivalry with the Knicks, who charge a king’s ransom so that apathetic fans can rattle their jewelry throughout 25-win seasons. (OK, that was piling on. Believe me, I want to see the Knicks improve. I just hope they remain as entertaining as they’ve been while they’ve sucked.)
The Nets must sign LeBron James in 2010. OK, I know this is easier said than done. But in the NBA, these things first are talked about, ad nauseum, until they become self-fulfilling prophecies. LeBron James WILL be playing in Brooklyn after he becomes a free agent in 2010. The Nets traded Jason Kidd last winter and Richard Jefferson on draft day, two of their highest-paid players, so they could clear salary space for a marquee player in the future. (There can be no doubt that the overpaid and underperforming Vince Carter is on the chopping block as well.)
Of course, there will be competition for James, and some of that competition is expected to come from the Knicks. Nevertheless, expect Brooklyn to be the frontrunner in the race for LeBron, especially in light of this quote from James, made during a media blitz for USA Basketball–– James had just told reporters that his favorite city was New York, then answered a follow-up question (as reported recently by Chris Sheridan of ESPN.com):
“My favorite borough? Brooklyn. Brooklyn is definitely a great place here in New York City, and some of my best friends are from Brooklyn, so I stick up for them."
