Planned Nets Sale Adds Another Layer To Transitional Period

Nets Currently Between Owners And Cities

The deal for Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov to become Principal Owner of the Nets "maintains the organization's wishful eye toward a better future," and his investment "adds another layer to a franchise caught in purgatory," according to Jonathan Abrams of the N.Y. TIMES. The Nets are "between owners" and "between cities." And as a basketball team, they are "in the middle of a transition." Nets G Devin Harris: "Obviously the move to Brooklyn has kind of separated us from our fans a little bit. It's not something we can control." Nets coach Lawrence Frank: "All that other stuff, as much it's news, it really doesn't impact [the players]. They're in a Nets uniform, they're going to bust their tails to represent the Nets. That stuff, they have no control over." But Nets G Keyon Dooling said, "Of course you pay attention to it. Why wouldn’t you? The type of owner you have directly affects salaries, budgeting, facilities, etc., etc. That’s a part of the game as well, that you should pay attention to" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/1). Meanwhile, on Long Island, John Jeansonne wrote while foreign ownership in professional sports is "rare in the United States," it is the "fact that Prokhorov hails from the nation once branded by President Ronald Reagan as 'The Evil Empire' that adds bite to the Nets' story." Jeansonne: "Not so many years ago, such a deal would have been a clear sign of the apocalypse, especially since sports so often is tied to patriotism" (NEWSDAY, 9/30).

LET'S MAKE A DEAL: The Nets yesterday announced that they have signed 10 new sponsorship deals. The Nets also have re-signed their major corporate partners -- McDonald's, Wrigley's, Vonage, LG and Canon -- and plan to announce additional new sponsorships in the near future. The chart below provides information on the new deals (Nets).

SPONSOR	ELEMENTS OF DEAL
Mars	M&M's store on Izod Center concourse; snack food at concession stands
Zappos.com	Signage and TV partner; will give game-used shoes to fans after select games
LTJ Arthur	Presenting sponsor of Nets Kids dance team; signage partner
MetroPCS	Signage and promotional partner
Cure Auto Insurance	Title Sponsor of Courtside Club and Press Room at Izod Center
Electronics Expo	Presenting sponsor of both Match-Up Plan and Nets Premiere Week
Fontainebleau Miami Beach	Signage and promotional partner
Hotelplanner.com	Signage and promotional partner
Lucky Strike Lanes	Will host Nets Basketbowl charity event
Pirate's Booty	In-arena giveaways