Devils Owner John McMullen "is studying the possibility
of building an arena for his team" in Hoboken, NJ, according
to Gelberg & Marsico of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. Several
parties "familiar with the talks" say that McMullen has
discussed a Hoboken site with NJ Gov. Christie Whitman. In
'95, the Devils pursued relocating to Nashville before
signing a lease to stay at Continental Airlines Arena through
2007. NJ Sports & Exposition Authority (NJSEA) Chair Ray
Bateman said McMullen's is "serious" about his discussions on
Hoboken. Whitman spokesperson Peter McDonough: "As far as
we're concerned, the Devils and the Nets have existing
leases. We just went to great lengths to keep the Devils
here." Gelberg & Marsico add, "It was not clear yesterday
whether McMullen planned to use his own funds or if the state
would foot the bill for a new arena," which would be built
over a train station in Hoboken (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 12/17).
INTEREST IN NETS? McMullen made a bid to buy the Nets
for $96M last year, and Gelberg & Marsico write that "[f]rom
all indications, McMullen has not made another formal offer
to buy the Nets, although he certainly is watching their
lease negotiations closely." McMullen was not available for
comment on the report (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 12/17).
