Devils Owner John McMullen "has reopened discussions
with the YankeeNets to explore moving" the team to Newark,
according to sources of George Jordan of the Newark STAR-
LEDGER. McMullen, who has been "one of the most vocal
critics" of the Nets' Newark arena plan, has recently had
meetings with Nets co-Owner Ray Chambers, and talks are
"continuing." A friend of Chambers said that he "is trying
to convince McMullen to move his team to Newark and become"
co-Owner of the $300M development that includes an arena,
hotels, office buildings, restaurants and parking garages.
NJ Gov. Christine Whitman has said that the state wants the
Devils and Nets "to agree on one site for both teams," and
the Newark plan is one of three being considered by her
administration. Jordan wrote that "it is widely believed
that without the Devils, the facility is not economically
feasible," as the Nets by themselves "could have problems
generating enough dates to create revenues that would cover
construction costs" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 12/11). But Devils
GM Lou Lamoriello said that the team "has not had a change
of heart about relocating to Hoboken." Lamoriello: "Our
focus is still on Hoboken" (Bergen RECORD, 12/12).
HAS PLAN LOST THE MO? In Newark, George Jordan writes
under the header, "Arena Plan In Newark Loses Some
Momentum." Jordan: "The Newark group has failed to satisfy
Whitman administration concerns about traffic flow and how
the Nets could survive without the Devils as the only tenant
in a downtown arena" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 12/13).
