November 26, 2005: Vol. 28, No. 46

Can two National Basketball Association teams share the same city without driving each other crazy — or hurting Knicks ticket sales?

That query won’t be answered — until the New Jersey Nets move into their new Frank Gehry-designed arena in Downtown Brooklyn in a few years.

But in the meantime, it appears the Knicks will be proactive in keeping their fan base.

For the first time in its history, the team will be featuring a season-long campaign designed to “honor their fans” — and keep Brooklynites from defecting to the “Dark Side of the Force,” which the Nets will become once they take up residence across the East River.

So on Sunday, Jan. 8, the world’s most famous arena will become Brooklyn West, as the Knicks take on the Seattle Supersonics on what’s being touted as “Brooklyn Night.”

During the evening, business and community leaders from the borough will be featured in on-court ceremonies, and Brooklyn residents will receive discounts on apparel and food at Madison Square Garden concession stands.

Leading up to the game, die-hard Knick fans are being asked to e-mail a photo of themselves to www.nyknicks.com showing why they should be the Knicks’ “Borough Fan of the Night.”

The fan chosen as the winner will then be invited to the game, where his or her photo will be displayed on the Garden scoreboard and during the game’s broadcast.

Last year, the Nets were purchased by mega-developer Bruce Ratner, who promised to move the team from its home in East Rutherford, N.J. to an arena he planned to construct above part of the Long Island Railroad yards at the crossroads of Atlantic and Flatbush avenues.

While still not approved, Ratner hopes his arena will be finished in time for the 2008 season. Ratner’s plan has the backing of Mayor Bloomberg and Borough President Markowitz and would not require any city oversight, as it would sit atop land owned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The controversial project also includes numerous residential and office skyscrapers which would tower over the borough’s tallest building — the 512-foot Williamsburgh Savings Bank building on nearby Hanson Place.

©2005 The Brooklyn Paper