Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov said Monday that he will not give up control of the basketball team and downplayed the club's money losses last season as "not a big deal."
Speaking before the Nets' home opener, Prokhorov said he is willing to listen to offers to sell a minority share of the team but that nothing is imminent.
There had been reports last month that he had been involved in discussions about selling part of the team, though general manager Billy King said afterward that Prokhorov wouldn't sell his majority stake.
"My position is that I will not give up control of the team, but you know I'm quite happy when somebody is sending me a nice offer without taking my controlling interest," Prokhorov said. "I think for the time being nothing is imminent, but still I think it's not bad just to listen."
Prokhorov bought the team in 2010 and had set a goal of winning an NBA championship in five years, though the Nets are not considered serious contenders this season.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.