One day after the Nets declared their intention to
relocate to a new arena in Newark, NJ Gov. Christie Whitman
reiterated her intent yesterday to have both the Nets and
Devils play in one arena in the state, according to Jordan &
Marsico of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. While both teams are
planning their own separate facilities, Whitman said, "Under
nobody's scenario for a new arena have we seen finances that
show it working unless two teams are there." Whitman "said
flatly the Nets and Devils must find a home in the same
building, wherever it is located -- Newark, Hoboken or East
Rutherford." Meanwhile, Devils Owner John McMullen said his
focus remains on Hoboken, speculating that there "will be
two arenas." But he did "concede" that he had met recently
with Nets co-Owner Raymond Chambers. McMullen: "I intend to
see him again in the future. His objective is one thing.
My objective is another. I'm mesmerized with the idea of
Hoboken. I don't think the earning capability in Newark is
as good as Hoboken" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 5/13).
NEWARK BEARS: In NJ, Doug Most writes that this week's
meeting between the Nets and Whitman "showed just how far
apart the two sides are" on the arena issue. Nets President
Michael Rowe said the team's arena plans are not finalized:
"We are not at the end of the process, but probably in the
middle of a process that will require more time and more
study." Whitman's Press Secretary Pete McDonough said the
governor may be willing to provide some state dollars to a
Newark plan, but "we don't want to lay out a number because
then that becomes the target for them." McDonough: "She's
concerned about taxpayers taking a bath, and it seems like
more and more we're hearing the water running." McDonough
said the state will "continue trying to show the Nets that a
Newark arena has too many hurdles" (Bergen RECORD, 5/13).
