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
Bill Zarro, 45, right, of Teaneck, N.J., reacts as he and his 11-year-old son, Milan, sit in their seats at the end of an NBA basketball game between the New Jersey Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers, Monday in Newark. The Nets, who played their last regular season home game, will pack up and move to Brooklyn. The 76ers won 105-87. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) ( Julio Cortez)
"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."
Comments (39)
Newark is no worse than Philadelphia, which boasts 4 sports teams of the major category.— fgomarty- Newark is no worse than Philadelphia, which boasts 4 sports teams of the major category.— fgomarty
- God please let him be a 1 term governor! Way to entice people to stay in NJ and come to NJ for that matter...geez.— Jasper2020
- Christie is right on this one.— sadim
- Katz's sole mission in life is to slam Christie for everything and anything. He's about two steps up from your average high school reporter.— jimmymack
Comment removed.- I really like Christie's style of communicating - straightforward and factual. He doesn't take 17 minutes to dodge and actually not answer a simple question like Pres. Obama requires. I am sick of politicians NOT ANSWERING QUESTONS HONESTLY, not knowing where they stand, etc etc NONE of this exists with Governor CHRISTIE - almost every single question posed to Christie gets a clear consistent answer within 2 minutes. No BS. Arrogant??? I guess some people really require form over substance. And calling him fat and stupid? Isn't it infinitely better to have a leader inform you exactly where he stands - and concisely, with logical reasons which support his position ,,,,rather than finger-pointing, blaming, rhetoric, obfuscation, and a slew of non-answers like we getfrom the White House ??— zen
- Comment removed.
- Heck I agree with the guy.— TKL008
- if Newark is a vibrant city, I'm the re-animated corpse of Ronald Reagan.— brendancalling
- Oh yeah, Philly is the very meaning of vibrancy. Not. It is a degenerate town, filled with savages who enjoy killing each other and anyone who happens in their path.
— fgomarty - This is the kind of governing we need, ya friggin morons!!!!— drg3824
- God Bless Chris Christie!— Street Sense13
- Of course the article is misleading but it was nice of Matt to include the video which is hardly as rough as the article makes it sound but apparently most people didn't watch the video.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- I hate to say it, but the state did go out of their way to keep the team. They got everything they asked for from just a few years back, and they still wanted more. Maybe Christie should have kept his remarks to himself, but he's right in closing the door on them. It was very obvious that they wanted to leave, so let them.— Yoda117
- Looks like governor fattie's acting like a teenager who just got dumped by his ugly girlfriend (but at least she put out).— Lancer248
- Matt Katz is a hottie....Chris Christie is not.— noelcoward
- Gee, and I'm proud to be a classic libby. Since I live in South Jersey,I could care less where the Nets go. However the other team in North Jersey, the Devils, a very good team, can't even fill that new arena (which my tax dollars went to build), except when the Flyers or Rangers come to "vibrant" Newark.— richw38
- "casting stones about weight (who are probably slobs themselves) and pulling the keyboard toughguy nonsense".
It's classic Libby hate and from those who claim not to have any towards anyone...except if you have (R) next to your name...man, women, minority, gay, fat, skinny, etc. the Lib hate is always there.— sarah89 - typical bully, say good riddance enough and your tax base is gone. His act is already wearing thin.— Knucks
- Who the eff wants the Nets anyway?— exgeman
- Not a fan of Christie's but he's right on this. State did a bunch of stuff to get the Nets to stay but they even had to be convinced to play at Newark for 2 years once they tore down the Meadowlands arena. Good riddance and we'll have the Charlotte Bobcats in Newark soon enough.
- NJ taxpayers do not need to provide a playground for a bunch of spoiled ghetto trash - let the idiots in NY pay for them.— Beethoven987
- 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
- "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.
"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.- Comment removed.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- shame they can't take christie with them.— slanted and enchanted
- this guy is a dope, good thing i don't live in NJ.— azguz
- 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
- I don’t believe voters want this consistent, in-your-face, thumb-your-nose style of governing.— Jack O
- BYE...FAT MAN— Chemist1524
- If Newark is one of the country's most vibrant cities, then the USA is in real trouble.— BobSG
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Reporter Matt Katz covers New Jersey's 55th governor, Chris Christie,
for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Reach him at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
Matt Katz
Inquirer Staff Writer
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.
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