Will somebody please get their story straight? It seems like every day I pick up the paper there is a story about the NJ Nets moving or not moving to Brooklyn. One day the story is saying that the arena will never be built and another day I read that the Barclays Center as it will be called will be open for the 2010 season.
The latest stories appeared last weekend. The New York Daily news reported that the NJ Devils were interested in buying the team and moving them to Newark only to have Bruce Ratner in a guest opinion piece on Sunday deny the story and reassert that the arena would open as planned. On Monday, another article claimed that Brooklyn would never happen.
I would love t see the Nets in a new arena in Brooklyn New York, but I don’t think it will ever be built. I think back to Westway, a highway project that the city wanted to build in the 1970’s. Has anyone been on it lately? I think not, it never got built. It was litigated to death. Every time one case got resolved, it seemed that there was another right around the corner. It seems like the same thing is happening to the Brooklyn arena. And each delay translates into millions of lost dollars for Ratner. Nobody’s pockets are that deep. Eventually, I believe he will throw in the towel.
I think an arena in downtown Brooklyn (which is across the river from Wall St. area) would be great for the area. Economically it would be a real plus for brooklyn but it would also give New Yorkers an alternative to the Jim Dolan owned New York Knicks. And for the first time since the Dodgers abandoned New York, it would give Brooklyn a major league team. Also, there is plenty of mass transit to the area along with easy access to highways and bridges.
But, if the deal falls through, there are much better ideas than going to Newark. The Prudential Center (the Rock as it’s called) is a hard place to get to, the surrounding area is not very nice and the arena is a real piece of garbage. There are three ways to get there, drive and sit though horrendous traffic jams and then pay $30 or more for parking, or take the train which on weekends or late at night run very infrequently. Or, if you are going to New York City, you can take the Path train, which is a slow, cold, old dilapidated interstate subway system that goes either directly to the old World Trade Center site or if you feel like waiting for another train (and detouring to Hoboken, NJ on weekends), you can take a 45 minute or more ride to midtown Manhattan.
As an alternative one place that a new arena could be built is the area near Shea stadium where a proposed Jets football stadium never got built. There are adequate highways there, a subway station, a commuter railroad line to the eastern suburbs and plenty of parking. It is easily accessible from Manhattan, Long Island, the Bronx and the northern suburbs such as Westchester and Connecticut. To save costs, the Islanders who presently occupy the worst arena in hockey (well, maybe second worst after Pittsburgh) could easily move about 15 miles west and share the arena.
What ever happens, I hope it happens soon. I think the team, the fans and the city are all better served if an idea is approved and then acted on quickly. The focus should be on building a basketball team in the new post Jason Kidd era. Too much energy and money is being spent on this Brooklyn arena fight.
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2 months ago
Newark is hard to get to?! buddy before you write an article, know what you are actually writing about. Newark is surrounded by three major highways, and has newark Pennstation which serves most of the nj transit lines and the Path trains. and if you knew anything about economics, which you obviously dont, you would know that the credit system is so bad know, that if want cannot build in brooklyn where the land is relatively cheap, than one definately cannot build an 900 million dollar arena (yes 900 million with todays credit crunch) in Manhattan.
about 1 month ago
The highways aren't the problem...is once you get off of them. Coming off 280 takes forever and it's bumper to bumper once you get off either 280, the Turnpike or 78. The trains to NY on weekends leave at 12 or 21 minutes after the hour. Hockey games that start on the hour (like all of them) end at half past the hour. That leaves a 30 minute or more wait. The Path does not go directly to midtown NY. You have to switch at Journal Square then go to Hoboken, wait for the conductor to walk to the front and then it goes to Manhattan.
And who said anything about Manhattan? You say I don't know what I'm talking about and YOU think FLUSHING is in Manhattan?
And you think land is CHEAP in downtown Brooklyn? Obviously your not an economics major. I'm curious, since you know so much about economics, you mentioned the credit crunch affecting the arena costs. What was the cost of capital before the "crunch" and what are the costs now? Just wondering since you brought it up.
BTW...Flushing is in Queens and the land I mentioned for a new arena there is currently occupied by junk yards that the city of NY holds the leases on. The city can toss them out any time they want.
about 1 month ago
I'm a Newark resident, and I support the Nets coming here. The "Rock" is already built in Newark, and it's a state-of-the-art facility. Whoever said it is "garbage" clearly doesn't know what they are talking about.
Yes, the downtown business district is gritty and loaded with the lowest-quality retail stores, but change is in the works. Downtown Newark is going to become a little more upscale, somewhat like Harlem, but with greater diversity from within Newark and beyond. Half of Newark is Latino, Brazilian, or white, and although these groups are not currently patronizing the downtown (Broad & Market Street), once the business district is spiffed up, that will change. Thousands of units of upscale residential housing is in the planning stage, and the first big project, 1180 Raymond Blvd, is a great success.
Despite dire predictions, the "Rock" has no problem attracting a Suburban hockey fan base to see the Devils play their home games. The Devils did lose 10% of their season ticket holders when they moved to Newark. But the good news is that 90% of their season ticket holders stayed with them, and the missing 10% sold out real quick. So they are not missed after all. The stadium is used for rock concerts and other events, and these events are well-attended. Direct pedestrian connections with Newark Penn Station is still yet to be constructed.
The basketball fan base (which is both urban and suburban) will also come to Newark. Season tickets will be sold out.
It would be more economical for the Nets to come to Newark than to continue to fight the Battle of Brooklyn. Clearly they are wanted in Newark, and not wanted in Brooklyn.
Now the latest rumor here in Newark is that a group of investors, including Mayor Corey Booker, plan to buy the Nets and move them here.
about 1 month ago
Plainly anyone who calls the Prudential Center "a piece of garbage", whereas it has been given high praise by architects, media, and fans, should not be taken seriously. The PATH train is NOT the only train to New York from Newark. Quite the contrary, NJ Transit and Amtrak trains zip from Newark Penn to New York Penn Station in 28 minutes. If you want to avoid a transfer in either Jersey City or Hoboken, you needn't go to Midtown but you can just take the WTC train to Downtown Manhattan directly (22 minutes) and take the NYC transit system from there rather than from Midtown. Most fans would in any case be coming from NJ, and Newark Penn and Broad Street Stations have trains in all directions; long-haul buses run to all parts of the state from NPenn; and many different bus lines on shorter routes stop only a block or two from the Arena. Further, for a presumed New Yorker to complain about Newark traffic and parking costs would be laffable were it not just contemptible. And there is NEVER more than a 30-minute wait for a PATH train, even in the middle of the nite, especially since it takes several minutes to get out of any large arena, and several more to walk from the Arena to the PATH entrance. The area immediately around the Arena is unremarkable at present, but most fans are not looking for a place to shop on the way. "Grasping at straws" is an expression that covers nicely the absurd commentary by Mr. Jones. Newarkers have not found it necessary to point out that Brooklyn is hideously overcrowded and overpriced, driving is oppressive, and parking extremely expensive. We all know that. For Mr. Jones to pretend that Queens is a walk in the park is also absurd. Almost all of NYC is overbuilt, overcrowded, and extremely expensive, and if an Arena is built in any part of the Five Boros, no ordinary person will be able to afford so much as one ticket, much less to bring his whole family to see a game. Ever.
about 1 month ago
Wow, amazing...three ID's created in the same day to defend the Rock and attack me personally. I knew the Devils were touchy about criticism of their arena, but this is a new low, even for them.
L. Craig (Chris??) writes..."For Mr. Jones to pretend that Queens is a walk in the park is also absurd. Almost all of NYC is overbuilt, overcrowded, and extremely expensive, and if an Arena is built in any part of the Five Boros, no ordinary person will be able to afford so much as one ticket, much less to bring his whole family to see a game. Ever."
Actually, the area next to Shea Stadium IS a park, it's called Flushing (Corona) Meadows Park. The Worlds Fair was there, maybe you heard of it. So is the US Open Tennis Center. Perhaps you've heard of that?
Parking is $15 at Shea...Compared to Newark which is $30. Hey Craig, I knew 15 was less than 30 BEFORE I got my CPA. Wasn't that covered when you got your nursery school GED? And nobody has more expensive tickets than the Devils. $95 for the lower part of the UPPER level at center ice. Pretty affordable.
And lets look at attendance...the Devils were 23rd in the NHL in attendance. That's in a NEW arena which should get a bump up from the curiosity factor, not to mention numerous games against the Flyers, Rangers and Islander which all saw as many opposing team fans as Devils fans in attendance. Anyone who is happy with 23rd in attendance in the first season of a new arena has to be an idiot.
Everyone is funneled into two entrances when entering the Rock and and for those who didn't pay $200 for club seats or $95 for the lower level behind the net, you are then herded to the two escalators (next to each other) to the upper deck. TWO escalators for the whole joint. And when one breaks (which happened) it's a long line or a long walk up the stairs. Past the two levels of luxury boxes to the top.
The Devils only interest in the Nets is to get more dates in the arena. If things were going so well, they wouldn't bother. The Nets are a first class organization and will get a first class arena. There is no reason for the Nets to sink with the Devils.
These are the facts and I don't care how many Devils shills don't like it.
about 1 month ago
The Devils attendance boosted up 10% this year, maybe even higher if i recall which is actually pretty impressive. Noticing the NHL, which is one of the lowest marketeed professional sports, is the only proffesional sport that has 3...I say 3 teams in one area...The Islanders, Rangers, and Devils. How do you expect the metropolitan area to support 3 different teams right now? This is the only sport and that is why the devils are 23rd in attendence.
about 1 month ago
"Everyone is funneled into two entrances when entering the Rock and and for those who didn't pay $200 for club seats or $95 for the lower level behind the net, you are then herded to the two escalators (next to each other) to the upper deck. TWO escalators for the whole joint. And when one breaks (which happened) it's a long line or a long walk up the stairs. Past the two levels of luxury boxes to the top."
Right here I know you don't have a clue what you are talking about. There are 4 separate entrances when coming into the rock. There are the two main entrances, the ticketbooth/devils den store entrance in addition to the club restaurant entrance which allows EVERYONE in. In the 20+ games I went to at the rock, there has never been more than 2 minute wait in the club entrance which is closest to the parking lots. As for inside, there is a third escalator on the far side of the rink closest to the parking lot across the street. In addition to these, there are huge sets of stairs on all corners which are open to anyone to walk down.
As for parking, it isn't 30 dollars. If you need to park 15 feet away from your entrance, which doesn't happen at Shea, the Meadowlands or any other arena, then YES you do have to pay 30 dollars park. However, you can pay as littles as 15, just like Shea, if you are willing to walk 3 blocks away, just on the other side of the court house. I know I know, "but you have to walk through dangerous Newark." Well, where are all the police reports and star ledger articles about how dangerous it is? find them. Lets also not forget how far the walk is from parking at Giants stadium, crossing the highway and then finally getting to the new IZOD center can be. How about the great 5 flights of stairs of the parking deck, then the long wait to get downstairs. The last devils game there it only took me about 30 minutes to get out of there!
Going to Queens is easier than getting to the "rock"? Lets not forget that most of the fan base for the nets is in New Jersey. For someone coming from South Jersey or Central Jersey, how would they ever get there in under 2 hours? For a weekday night game that started at 7, anyone with a full time job would have to take a half day at work to see opening tip off. At Newark Penn, they always have path trains waiting for Devils fans, I'm not quite sure why they wouldn't do the same for Nets fans and at the Rock, they always post the train schedule on all of the TV's around the rock for the fans convenience. In my only experience with taking NJT home (I normally take the PATH or drive in), the train was there inside 3 minutes.
Personally, I do not care if the Nets come to Newark. I can't say I've been to a game in 5 years or cared to watch a score, just please be factual in what you are publishing.
about 1 month ago
I had a feeling that this article would eventually result in the questioning of the Devils attendance. I agree with everything that Daniel wrote, as well as the addition of the fans themselves. Our fanbase is younger in comparison with that of the Rangers and Islanders. Most Devil fans are 26 and younger for several reasons. One being the obvious, that the Devils are only 26 years old themselves. Secondly, the Devils did not become a force in the NHL until 94. These two examples are not the only ones, rather there are many more. I myself am 19 years and finishing up my sophomore year of college. For the past 2 seasons I have attended 35 plus games, and have been to every playoff game. I have also attended at least 4 road games. A lot of Devil fans are in college as well, and many of them cannot afford to go to every game. On facebook, the group for the Devils is not that far behind the Rangers. Believe me though, when these Devil fans graduate college, get real jobs, and have families, we will be at every single game and be right up there with the Rangers.
about 1 month ago
This guy is a passive aggressive Devils hater. His article is about as relevant and has about as much substance as an AZT Cocktail does in Robert Reed right about now.
Mr. "Got it all figured out", what alternate universe do you live in? Because it's not reality. How about if I told you could free parking on the street and parking for much less than what you wrote. Also, there are more entrances to the rock than you speak about. If you are going to slam the Devils and it's fans, than do it. Don't write drivel that you wrote and expect anyone other than your parents to pat your bald head. The article is misinformed and inarticulate and frankly stinks.
about 1 month ago
Absolutely incredible...most of the article is about the Nets and ALL of the comments are about how great the Rock is ALL written by people who just created their ID's solely to attack me personally. Hilarious!! I guess I hit a nerve with management.
"Passive Aggressive Devils Hater"...excellent!!! It doesn't mean anything, but it sounds good. My bald head?? Ooooo, that hurt!!! I'm sooooooo upset.
I bet if I wrote an article about the Rose Garden being a dump , I wouldn't get this kind of response...BECAUSE IT'S NOT! And all the Blazer fans AND Blazer management know it! But keep up the personal attacks. You must be proud.
To Steve, (one of the few civil comments), I disagree with your attendance projections. I say that most passively aggressively and humbly. But...time will tell. We'll both see who is right about next season soon enough.
In the meantime, it looks unlikely the Nets will be sold to the Devils and moved to Newark so I guess the Devils will have to find other ways to fill up their arena. Sorry kids, thems is just the facts.
Anytime you want to see a real hockey arena, meet me in Philly.
about 1 month ago
"To Steve, (one of the few civil comments), I disagree with your attendance projections. I say that most passively aggressively and humbly. But...time will tell. We'll both see who is right about next season soon enough."
I am not talking about next season, rather I am talking about the near future. That was kind of the whole thesis of my argument.
What I wrote was:
"Believe me though, when these Devil fans graduate college, get real jobs, and have families, we will be at every single game and be right up there with the Rangers."
Please tell me where I said anything about next season. You disagree with my statement because you can't accept that you are wrong. I'm not saying that next season we are going to sellout every game, but within the next 10-15 years it will occur.
about 1 month ago
You're overlooking the fact that it's not a matter of what the Devils do at the rock, a "real hockey arena" or attendance figures. You're giving reasons why the Rock is so bad but you're stating things which are not correct. You should just admit to your readers that you really want the Nets closer to your home, not 20 minutes further away.
about 1 month ago
Wow someone has their head way too far up their butt. This guy is a complete moron who has probably never even been to the Rock. Grow up pal...You talk about Newark and then say "meet me in Philadelphia." There is a reason they call it Killadelphia. Morons like you need to be kept away from society.
about 1 month ago
I'll respond one last time...then I'll let the shills have their fun...
Not ONE response from a person who has ever written or posted before.
Every post a personal attack on me for what I said about the Rock.
"I want the Nets closer to my home"...nonsense, if they stay at Izod I'd still go as I have for the last 8 years. Also, except for the tolls I save, Brooklyn isn't all that convenient for me either but I'll still go there.
Tell Jeff attendance figures will be better in 15 years when todays college freshman have real jobs and are making money. I'm sure that will make him feel good.
"Killadelphia"...how clever...
I went to 17 games at the Rock and sat just about everywhere including the club seats...
OK kids...it's all yours....
about 1 month ago
Seriously Mr Henry, this may be one of the most ignorant articles I've ever read. You have trashed a brand new arena that just about everyone has raved about ( even NY Ranger Fans ) You have attacked the Devils attendance for no reason and they did lose 10% of season ticket sales yet were up 10% in total attendance over the last season at CAA. I'd say that's progress to say the least. The fact that the Devils fan base is young is a very true statement and anytime they play in Carolina or DC, it really shows. The Devils obviously would want the Nets there as they would make a fortune on them and that is what you should be focused on. Clearly you didn't go to many games at the rock as your comments about Isles and Flyers fans half filling up the arena is a complete lie and joke, just as you are. I was at all 8 games vs. these 2 teams and neither team even came close to 10% of the total fans at those games. You are correct about about the Ranger fans there being many, but again even their fans never outnumbered Devils fans.
If you want to attack the Devils, go ahead ! At least do it using facts instead of you own bias opinions.
about 1 month ago
Your blog should'nt be taken seriously after the statement the Rock is a piece of garbage .It is the nicest new arena there is bar none.I live in North Jersey and drive to 10-15 Devil games taking the Parkway to 21 South to Market Street and park in the street for FREE.I also took the train twice and had no problems.Obvisouly you're a Devil hater spewing misinformation.
about 1 month ago
Is it true you have holes in your pockets so that you ran your fingers through your hair?
BTW, your blog is void of anything that resemble anything articulate. Try using facts and or type of real knowledge, your venom and your true hatred of the Devils shows in your replies.
Philly is a real hockey market the way you are a real writer. Stick to doing the books of the Pete Rose Haircut Club and try not getting drool on their returns.
about 1 month ago
LOL AT YOUR PIC
about 1 month ago
The Prudential Center is garbage?! It's 100 times better than that dump called MSG. You lost ALL your credibility when you dropped that gem. The arena is amazing. It's a state of the art facility and it has everything a sports fan could want. Maybe you should visit the place before you start typing away. I've never paid more than $20 for parking this past season, and I usually park right across the street on Mulberry St.
about 1 month ago
You sir are an idiot. I hope to god that you don't talk this way IRL to your friends because if you do, I'm almost certain that they're laughing at you behind your back for being an idiot. I actually feel that after reading this, I've regressed and become more stupid.
Please, for the love of god, next time you write an article, make sure to use FACTS instead of your own biased opinion. It's one thing to post an editorial, but you just can't pass off made up facts and claim that they're real.
The Rock, as many have stated before, is a state of the art arena, praised by almost all who've attended it. Newark itself is actually a hundred times better than it used to be. You think it's bad now? You should've been there in the 80s. The Trains are not inconsistent, you just don't know how to use a schedule.
You, sir, are a disgrace to the fan community of any sport. Please, don't ever show your face in public again.
about 1 month ago
who cares basketball sucks....
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