Gov. Christie more interested in bringing another NBA team to NJ rather

[madinmaryland]

than infrastructure projects that benefit everyone.

ETA link: http://www.northjersey.com/news/012511_Christie_says_hes_had_casual_talks_with_NBA_on_a_new_team_for_NJ.html

Governor Christie has had “casual conversations” with National Basketball Association Commissioner David Stern about the possibility of Newark getting another NBA team once the Nets leave for Brooklyn in 2012, he said Tuesday.

Christie said he is aware that Stern has expressed doubts about the feasibility of a third NBA franchise joining the Nets and New York Knicks in the same metropolitan area.

“But sometimes people don’t say things to me that are going to make me unhappy — you know how that works,” the sometimes combative Christie said with a smile at a press conference at Newark’s Prudential Center. The event touted the upcoming NCAA men’s college basketball tournament games to be played there in March.

“I think there is a future for NBA basketball here in Newark,” Christie said. “I think that New Jersey having a state-of-the-art facility like Newark has here, you have the possibility of doing that. We support three teams in the region, so I don’t see why we can’t support three basketball teams.”

So supporting rich sports club owners is more important than projects that actually benefit all New Jerseyans.

:grr:

[ejpoeta]

1. how the hell does he think all those people are going to get to the games????

won't they need to use the roads (infrastructure) to do that?

[dkf]

2. Why would it cost money if they already have the facilities?

[rfranklin]

3. But think of all those jobs!

Hot dog and beer vendors making minimum wage and no benefits!

[MadBadger]

4. Not sure how having an NBA team would hurt the state, especially with the arena already there

[madinmaryland]

7. Did someone say it would hurt the state?

[MadBadger]

9. I understand what your complaint is, but I wont chastise the Governor for this either.

[spanone]

5. watch as taxpayer dollars go to support another private sports franchise

[Myrina]

6. He can have the Pacers ...

... if he pays the City of Indianapolis back the $15 million we just gave them to stay here. Talentless wanker thugs.

[msanthrope]

8. Chris just wants his own skybox to entertain in. n/t

[NoGOPZone]

10. I've got to concur with Stern on this one.

The article makes the point that the Nets are last in attendance, I don't think they ever drew particularly well even when they were a top level team. I don't know why Christie thinks the area will support three teams, especially now that he's hampered mass transit from NY to the new areana.