Nets leave Jersey, Christie slams door on way out
"My message to the Nets is goodbye...You don't want to stay, we don't want you." That was Gov. Christie's farewell address yesterday to the New Jersey Nets, who played the 76ers yesterday in their final home game in the state. After 35 years as one of the state's two professional sports teams, the Nets move to Brooklyn next season.
Nets leave Jersey, Christie slams door on way out
Matt Katz, Inquirer Staff Writer
"My message to the Nets is goodbye...You don't want to stay, we don't want you."
That was Gov. Christie's farewell address yesterday to the New Jersey Nets, who played the 76ers yesterday in their final game in the state. After 35 years as one of the state's two (official) professional sports teams, the Nets move to Brooklyn next season.
Christie argued that the Nets' former home, the Prudential Center in Newark, is a beautiful arena in "one of the country's most vibrant cities," and so another NBA team might be interested in moving in.
The comments, as Christie comments often do, got wide play -- on ESPN and USA Today and in the New York Daily News, which called the remarks "too simple, too arrogant."
"They want to leave and go to Brooklyn? Good riddance," Christie said. "See you later."
If Newark is one of the country's most vibrant cities, then the USA is in real trouble.— BobSG- BYE...FAT MAN— Chemist1524
- I don’t believe voters want this consistent, in-your-face, thumb-your-nose style of governing.— Jack O
- The team has only been in Newark for 2 years in a brand new building so maybe Christie feels like the team is bailing out on its committment. Should't we be glad governments aren't always looking to kiss up to rich athletes? Look at it that way instead of burying the messenger because you don't like his politics.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- this guy is a dope, good thing i don't live in NJ.— azguz
- shame they can't take christie with them.— slanted and enchanted
- I actually agree with his arrogance on this one. The state made every effort to keep the team in NJ. They stink anyway and moving to Brooklyn isn't going to change that simple fact. So, good riddance.— amg
- I don't like teams blackmailing cities and states to keep them, but CC really has to lose the whole nastiness thing. I am sick and tired of it. He could have calmly said, "Sorry, we just can't meet your team's demands right now. Good luck in Brooklyn." Instead, he acts like an angry third-grader.— Jen D
- Christie is right. Anyone paying a shred of attention to the issue would know that. But then again the haters are going to hate. They never let the facts get in the way of their bile spewing.— psyrus
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"After 35 years as one of the state's two professional sports teams, the Nets move to Brooklyn next season." Last time I looked, NJ still has the Devils, Giants and Jets playing there.- "One of the state's two professional sports teams"...The Tonner counts 4, the Nets, Devils, Jets and Giants. New York fans don't want to admit it but they are really the New Jersey Giants and the New Jersey Jets. Whether you like it or whether you don't like it, it's the truth according to the Tonner and it's the best thing going today.
- I wonder if they will still be called the New Jersey Nets? As the Jets and the Giants play in New Jersey they should be called the New Jersey Jets and the New Jersey Giants. Not New York Jets and New York Giants.— samsmom
Reach him at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattkatz00. Reach Matt at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
