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.
