NBA Rumors: Mikhail Prokhorov looking to sell Brooklyn Nets
By Jack Crosby
Despite being involved in one of the most heinous racial scandals to ever come through the NBA, Donald Sterling recently proved to us all that certain teams in the league have a bit of value to them as his ordered sale of the team went through for $2 billion.
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Now, according to Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski, it seems Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov might want to listen to some suitors for his organization.
“Just listening so far,” a league official with direct knowledge told Yahoo Sports. “They haven’t indicated a desire or willingness to sell. …Nothing was initiated by [Prokhorov].”
When it was announced that the Clippers were being sold for that much, it was anticipated that some other owners might want to explore dumping their franchises to walk away with riches. According to Wojnarowski, Prokhorov was indeed one of those owners that were so intrigued at what had happened, his curiosity ultimately got the best of him.
"After the Sterling Family Trust sold the Clippers for $2 billion to Steve Ballmer, Prokhorov and his associates believe the combination of the Nets and Barclays Center major market location could net in the neighborhood of the Clippers sale, sources said. Less than five years ago, Prokhorov bought the Nets and a percentage of Barclays Center for $223 million."
Right now, Prokhorov owns 80 percent of the team and 45 percent of the Barclays Center, although the value on the arena could soar a bit next year when the New York Islanders of the NHL begin playing their games there.
It’s not certain that he’ll sell the team, but again, after what happened with Sterling’s sale of the Clippers, it’s wise to at least explore the idea.