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New Jersey Nets' Move To Brooklyn Formally Approved By NBA

Though the move has been in the works for quite some time, the NBA formally approved the New Jersey Nets' relocation to Brooklyn on Friday.

By Jay King
Apr 8, 2012; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Nets forward Kris Humphries (4) slaps guard Deron Williams (8) hand after a Williams basket in during the second half at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-US PRESSWIRE
Apr 8, 2012; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Nets forward Kris Humphries (4) slaps guard Deron Williams (8) hand after a Williams basket in during the second half at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-US PRESSWIRE

The NBA formally approved the New Jersey Nets' move to Brooklyn on Friday and will allow the franchise to change its name, according to NBA.com's David Aldridge.

The Barclays Center, which will house the Nets in Brooklyn, is scheduled to open on Sept. 28, meaning it should be available for the entire 2012-13 season, including preseason. The Nets are not expected to change their name despite being granted permission to do so.

The Nets have long planned the move to Brooklyn, and in fact moved their business operations to the city months ago. Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov toured the Barclays Center on Tuesday with developer Bruce Ratner, saying he hopes Nets fans are excited by the move.

"I hope that the majority of the Nets fans from New Jersey will join us here," Prokhorov said. "Our team will do our best in order to invite all the people who supported our team for many, many years to also be the fans here. Our new name will be Brooklyn Nets; that's why I hope that we can unite New Jersey fans, Manhattan and of course Brooklynites; it's our new home, and we will do our best to have all these great communities together in this great arena."

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