ESPN's Melrose Apologizes For Remarks About Prudential Center
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Melrose Apologizes For Comments
About Prudential Center Neighborhood |
ESPN hockey analyst Barry Melrose apologized yesterday for comments he made last week about the new Prudential Center in Newark, according to Jeffery Mays of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. During a Webcast last week, Melrose said fans should not walk around outside the arena, “especially if you got a wallet or anything because the area around the building is awful.” Melrose's apology comes after Newark Mayor Cory Booker said the Web cast “shows extreme ignorance and the comments are utterly absurd. This guy doesn’t know Newark. He hasn’t visited the city recently.” Lilo Stainton, a spokesperson for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, said, “ESPN needs to do a better job of putting people on air who know what they are talking about.” Melrose said yesterday, “I was trying to be funny. That’s how I talk and use my humor for entertainment. It obviously didn’t come across that way.” He added, “I don’t think the area is unsafe. I would walk around downtown Newark anytime. I certainly never meant malice toward New Jersey or the [Devils].” Melrose also called Booker’s office to apologize. ESPN VP/PR Josh Krulewitz indicated that the net “considered the matter closed and there likely won’t be any disciplinary actions taken” (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 11/7). Melrose acknowledged that he has not been to Prudential Center, and that he “based his comments on footage" aired by TSN before the Devils’ first game at the arena (USA TODAY, 11/7).
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| Prudential Center Embraces New Jersey Heritage |
ON THE INSIDE: In a report on the Prudential Center, SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Don Muret writes the arena “embraces Newark and New Jersey through its interior artwork.” The arena’s “most obvious influence” is Xcel Energy Center, where Devils Owner Jeff Vanderbeek “got the idea to hang hockey jerseys on the main concourse.” Nationwide Arena and Toyota Center were also “closely observed.” Meanwhile, Vanderbeek has not signed a long-term deal with a soda provider yet, instead “slicing the pie into more pieces by signing one-year ‘tap fees’” with Coca-Cola and New Jersey-based Boylan Bottling Co., which could result in an extra $150,000 in revenue this season. Vanderbeek: “We’re not beholden to anybody” (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 11/5 issue).
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