Why Shaq's New Jersey Nets Plan is Right

According to a report on NJ.com, Shaquille O'Neal has expressed interest in ownership of the Nets and moving them to Newark. I'm going to lay out to you why Shaq wanting the team to move to Newark could be a positive thing for Nets fans who wish to see their team stay in New Jersey instead of selling out to the city of New York.

Shaquille O'Neal is a player who is running out of years on the court and is beginning to plan his retirement. Fortunately, Shaq is recession proof and has enough money for me, you, and him to settle down and purchase a small island. Shaq, though he has travelled around, is a Jersey guy; Newark to be exact.

As many Jerseyans know, living close to New York City is a great benefit. The job market, the party scene, the high house values and the Yankees all make being a part of the New York metropolitan area a lot of fun.

However, as a resident of a state that is mocked for so many reasons unknown to me, we Jerseyans have a sense of pride. We love the New York scene, but not everything has to be about New York. New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the country and has a lot of people who attach to the "Jersey identity."

An outsider from Ohio, Bruce Ratner, is trying to steal the Nets, one of two teams who share the New Jersey name. He has no idea about the Jersey identity but rather sees the Nets as a possibility to anchor his Atlantic Yards project which has received much criticism from one of the coolest areas of New York City, downtown Brooklyn. 

Many people are pointing fingers at Nets fans saying that it is their own fault for not supporting a team. Anyone that thinks this has not been to the Izod Center and dealt with the parking situation and they have not been following the fact that management has told the Nets fans that their team will be leaving them for New York City as soon as they can get out of there. Why put any money into a team that just wants to bail as soon as possible?

But Shaquille O'Neal gave me, as a Nets fan, fresh hope that this team can keep their Jersey ties. He is someone who knows about the hardships of Newark, a tough city, that is looking to rebound. There has been an attempt at a renaissance in the city of Newark, and the addition of an NBA franchise could do nothing but help.

So Mr. Ratner, please get off of your New York City high horse, and look to a city that could use the financial help: Newark. It is not the hipster neighborhood of Brooklyn that could use the job boost, it is the city of Newark that could benefit from the addition of this franchise.

Sell the team Mr. Ratner. There are plenty of Jersey guys such as the owner of the Devils, Jeff Vanderbeek and one of the greatest centers and a Newark native, Shaquille O'Neal that could help this franchise flourish in an embattled city. Jay-Z, a once New Jersey native, stay on board: use your status to help the team flourish in a city full of residents looking for leaders.

It is time for the State of New Jersey to rally around this team. As each day goes on, it seems as if Brooklyn is turning into a pipe dream for the greedy ownership of this team. Newarkers are far and wide reaching, including Jason Alexander, Ice-T, Queen Latifah, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Joe Rogan, Redman, Max Weinberg, Kat Deluna, and Shaquille O'Neal.

There are many other famous New Jerseyans out there such as Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Jack Nicholson, Tara Reid, Zack Braff, James Gandolfini, Kevin Smith, John Travolta, Jon Stewart, and Bruce Willis.

It's time for a call to Jerseyans to rally, just like Shaq is. Help out the city of Newark by adding the Nets franchise to a city that could use it. Ratner, it's time to say goodbye to your dreams of moving the team that Jersey represents with to the center of Knicks Nation in Brooklyn.

Mr. Ratner, as Bruce Springsteen once said, this is my hometown. New Jerseyans aren't ready to give up a fight for this team. Move the Nets to Newark!

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