Oceanside, NY (MPN) – Back in July, The National Basketball Association finalized its record setting $76 Billion Television deal, with NBC, ESPN/ABC, and Amazon Prime each receiving their fair share of games. The NBA has said in the aftermath of this new TV Deal, that it would begin a conversation in which it discusses expanding the league. The NBA will without a doubt have many suitors in line, including Seattle, which lost its team in 2008 after Clay Bennett moved the team to Oklahoma City, and Las Vegas, a city long known for it’s entertainment and gambling destinations, which recently received 2 pro sports teams, the Raiders and Golden Knights. Other markets, such as Louisville, Kentucky, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Mexico City will also be in the mix. But one market, perhaps not even brought up in casual conversation, that should be on this list, is the State of New Jersey.
Background
On July 27, 1977, One Year after becoming an NBA team in the aftermath of the ABA-NBA Merger, the New York Nets announced they were moving to New Jersey, as part of a deal with the New York Knicks over territory rights. The New Jersey Nets would go on to play in the Garden State for nearly 30 years before Bruce Ratner would acquire the team, then shortly thereafter, announcing his plan to move to the team to Brooklyn.
The Nets would remain in East Rutherford for 5 more seasons before moving to Newark until the completion of their Barclays Center in 2012, where the team has remained since.
Between 1977 and 2012, the New Jersey Nets complied an 1186-1636 record, with 2 NBA Finals Appearances, 16 Playoff Appearances, and a history of all-star players spanning from Buck to Deron Williams.
The New Jersey Nets were a stark contrast from their cross river rivals. Establishing themselves as a small market team, the Nets relied on the trade market and the draft to build their competitive teams.
Along with legendary players, the Nets also boasted being the home of many legendary Coaches such as Chuck Daly and Larry Brown. The Nets imprint on the Basketball was unique, but in spite of this reputation, their biggest flaw would lead to their downfall
New Jersey is not the first place many think of as being an expansion market, but it could be. New Jersey, as a state, has a population of 9.5 Million, making it the 11th Largest State in the Country. It’s also seeing population growth, leading the Northeast with a 2.3% Population Growth Rate.
Learn From History
In Spite of their on court achievements, the Nets had one fatal flaw, their location. The Brendan Byrne Arena, which opened in 1981, was located in the Meadowlands Sports Complex, off Exit 16W of the New Jersey Turnpike in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Nets would struggle to draw fans, mainly due to this issue, and when the arena became outdated, it became front and center in the team’s offseason priorities. The Team had eyed a move to what would become the Prudential Center in Newark, but those talks fell apart, and the Nets instead chose to bolt to Brooklyn.
Newark remains the most pragmatic location. The Prudential Center, though nearing 2 Decades, is still a capable venue, and options do exist should it be more viable to build a new arena. It’s proximity to Newark’s Penn Station and ample Parking allow it to serve as a location for NBA Games. The Neighborhood is also in need of revitalization, and an NBA Team may very well provide an excuse for it. While Newark remains the best bet, Jersey City is also a viable scenario.
Rapid land development in Jersey City has led to an explosion of new apartments, and the City is positioning itself as a cheap alternative to New York City.
Jersey City’s PATH Train lines also allow an arena to be easily accessible by public transportation.
An Arena in Jersey City would also bring concerts and other sporting events to the area, positioning itself as being an ideal location for basketball.
New York Can Handle Three Teams
If there’s any lingering question as to whether New York can handle three sports teams in the same league, the answer is yes. The National Hockey League has three teams, the Rangers, the Islanders, and the Devils, with all three drawing relatively well attendance wise and maintaining loyal followings that transcend the locations of their buildings. If the NHL can handle it, so can the NBA.
Many factors go into choosing a location for an NBA team, and New Jersey certainly checks those boxes, but the question of another NBA team in the area comes down to who will support it, and will the Knicks and Nets let it slide. Regardless, New Jersey is able and willing to house an NBA team.