Jason Burgos
Could the Brooklyn Nets go back to New Jersey? While it isn’t likely, the state’s top lawmakers claim they are working hard to make it a reality.
New Jersey has had very few pro sports teams in its history. While the NFL’s Giants and Jets have played in the state for decades, they are still considered New York’s team. Yet despite an ugly history in the NBA, the Nets were one of the few teams that were theirs, aside from the NHL’s Devils.
While the Nets were often bad during their 43 years in New Jersey, there were some great moments, including back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2001-02 and 2002-2003. Yet, because of their sad history, the team always had trouble filling their arena for games. So while it broke the hearts of diehard New Jersey basketball fans when the franchise moved to become New York’s second NBA team in 2012, it didn’t surprise many.
New Jersey Governor wants the Nets back?
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t many New Jersey natives who long for the Nets’ return to the Garden State. Well, you can add the state’s current governor, Mikie Sherill, to that list. During a recent discussion on her first 100 days in office, she was asked about the idea of the Nets going back to NJ, and she had a very interesting answer.
“I mean, would I support it? I ask about it all the time,” Sherrill said. “I love the idea. So, I have been pressing for that. I haven’t made a lot of headway yet. Maybe in my second 100 days. But I do think there is some work being done for some — I don’t know if I’m allowed to say too much about it — but some people are working on some different sports coming into the Rock.”
Is the Nets leaving Brooklyn for a return to New Jersey likely? Of course not. However, the franchises could have a few games each season back in the state at the Prudential Center in Newark. The league certainly prefers two teams in one of its biggest markets. However, occasional appearances back in their old stomping grounds would appease their NJ fans and be a great tool to sell a lot of alternative nostalgia merchandise.
