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The Unofficial Opie & Anthony Message Board - New arena for Nets/Devils

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Posted By	Discussion Topic: New arena for Nets/Devils
I swear it was this big Tussle King	posted on 05-08-2002 @ 3:04 PM
Psychopath Registered: Mar. 01	quote: NEWARK, N.J. -- Gov. James E. McGreevey outlined his proposal Wednesday for building a $355 million arena in Newark for the New Jersey Nets and Devils. He insisted the plan would cost New Jersey taxpayers nothing. "I shall not, I will not put the state of New Jersey at risk," McGreevey said during a news conference at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The agreement has not yet been signed by the owners of the NBA's Nets and NHL's Devils, officials said, and it still must be approved by the Legislature and the board of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. Under the plan, the authority would issue $165 million in bonds; YankeeNets, which owns the two teams, would contribute $120 million, and the city of Newark and Essex County would together put up $50 million to pay for construction. YankeeNets also would contribute $10 million of a $20 million loan to cover predevelopment costs, officials said. It was not immediately clear who would be responsible for the other $10 million. YankeeNets agreed to cover any cost overruns and any shortfall in expected revenues to support the arena's operation, officials said. The teams' owners agreed to buy $10 million to $15 million in bond insurance to guarantee that it would pay back the bonds if sales and income tax revenue generated by the arena doesn't cover the debt. "This debt will be guaranteed by the teams and not the state of New Jersey," McGreevey said. Approval of the plan by the Legislature is far from assured, however. Lawmakers failed to support an arena financing plan proposed last year by McGreevey's predecessor, Acting Gov. Donald T. DiFrancesco. McGreevey didn't say what bills would be required to get the deal approved, and he left the podium without saying whether he had legislative support for the deal. YankeeNets has pushed for a new arena, claiming that Continental Airlines Arena in the Meadowlands sports complex, where the teams now play, is outdated. Officials said Wednesday that there is no firm plan in place for redoing the Meadowlands complex, but that an advisory committee would be formed to evaluate proposals. Ok, terrific. Make a new arena for a team that can't sell out ONE playoff game (Devils) and a team that I believe is overachieving (Nets). ___________________________________________________________________ I'm bigger than the Devil combined with Schindler's list. Sig pic coming soon...kinda soon...

JimboSHU my status is extremely accurate.	posted on 05-08-2002 @ 3:11 PM
Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00	quote: Ok, terrific. Make a new arena for a team that can't sell out ONE playoff game (Devils) and a team that I believe is overachieving (Nets). either that or both teams will move. tough position for a politician to be put in, dontcha think? AIM/E-mail

Froy King Shit board owner	posted on 05-08-2002 @ 6:48 PM
O&A Board Veteran Registered: Feb. 01	The Meadowlands is so close & convenient, I hate to see the teams move to Newark. They've been talking about this for years, we'll see if it ever actually happens. I believe in the Faith... that can save me. I believe in the hope and I pray... That someday it may raise me... above these badlands Over The Limit

JimboSHU my status is extremely accurate.	posted on 05-08-2002 @ 7:08 PM
Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00	I agree Froy, even though Newark is actually CLOSER to me...the infrastructure is HORRIBLE around there.. Roads get jammed for Newark Bears games. And imagine this, the Metrostars are building a stadium right across the Passaic in Harrison--MS and Nets game on the same day..the traffic on 280 that day. I have the same feeling when it comes to the Jets moving to Manhattan as well. AIM/E-mail

Unicron	posted on 05-08-2002 @ 10:45 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Mar. 01	Once out of the Meadowlands, the Devils and Nets can get an identity (although do you want Newark as your identity?) and they can build a fanbase that can easily get to the games through mass transit. As for getting there by car, that will be difficult, and new road plans will most likey have to be made and implemented, to ease conjestion on gamedays. Who knows when all of this will be done, if it will be done at all. Jersey politics always seems to ruin these things... all things are equal in the end This message was edited by Unicron on 5-8-02 @ 10:58 PM

JohnSlack	posted on 05-09-2002 @ 11:29 AM
Psychopath Registered: May. 01	Unicron - have you ever BEEN there? I used to work two blocks from where they are going to build this thing. There isn't anywhere to add roads. Also I never understood this whole 'mass transit' bullshit. Yes that works in NYC, but not jersey. Games are at night - HELLO MCFLY the trains are going AWAY from newark at night, not towards them. Anyway most of the people in NJ drive to games - there is absolutely no parking in that area - a couple overpriced garages, but thats it. And people from NYC aren't going to come across the river to see a nets or devils game. "Philly: It's Camden - with a bell." - Jim Norton

Lent Black Rock Coalition Do you have a basketball in your car?	posted on 05-09-2002 @ 5:29 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: May. 00	quote: And people from NYC aren't going to come across the river to see a nets or devils game. I did tuesday night. :-D I was actually suprised at the people coming in from NYC on about 6 or 7 buses from the port authority. At the very least they should renovate the place. It is the most banal looking arena i've ever been in. The food selection is pretty good, but they could change the config a bit for much less. As for moving to Newark. I hear the place has been "revitalized" depending on who you talk to. They put a friggin high class art center and a minor league ball park there. And if you are worried about going to the ghetto, look no further than chicago. The United Center, home of the Bulls and Blackhawks is in the heart of the nortorious southside. THAT doesnt stop white people (or anyone for that matter) going there. Email - AIM:lentnycGO TO LENTSITE.COM MOTHERBITCHES!!!

Unicron	posted on 05-09-2002 @ 10:29 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Mar. 01	I grew up right across the bay from Newark, i've been to Newark a countless times, and i've seen every part of that city. Transportation is the biggest issue with this arena and who knows how it will be handled, i'm just throwing out possibilities. In the previous plane, the Arena in Hoboken had the same trouble with trasportation, eventhough they were going to build it like MSG, and have the PATH stations under the arena, the auto traffic would have been suffocating in Hoboken, as it undoubtedly be in Newark. Arenas and Ballparks in the middle of cities will always bring traffic and transportation troubles, but being in a city insted of on the side of an interstate in the middle of a marsh is an improvement. all things are equal in the end

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