Mikhail Prokhorov left no doubt Thursday that he is willing spend a considerable part of his vast fortune to win a championship. It is a tribute to the team's fans ... and make no mistake about it, good business. Few, if any, of his businesses have seen the growth in valuation the Nets/Barclays Center has. With team (of which he owns 80 percent) worth around three-quarters of a billion dollars and the arena (of which he owns 45 percent) worth a cool billion, Prokhorov's initial investment of $223 million in cash seems like one of sports best investments in recent years. And he made no apologies about what he's doing: spending to win. Here are some excerpts of one of several impromptu interviews he gave yesterday in Brooklyn. Billy King comes to you and says I can get Pierce and Kevin Garnett, but it's going to cost 80 million in tax, what's your react? "My reaction? We need a championship team. And frankly speaking, I will never discuss my passion and my investment money facing the Nets. And I think for me, it’s not the way to wait for 10 years for results. And I don’t think our fans will either." Describe this day for Brooklyn? "When I bought the team, I promised to create a championship contender and a team worthy of Brooklyn. So I think for the time being on this stage, I have done what I can. And now I think it it high time for the team to do the rest." So, for you, the salary cap is not a problem? "I think they’re still counting money in the back office but frankly speaking, I just hope the check doesn’t bounce." Read more http://www.netsdaily.com/2013/7/19/4537560/for-prokhorov
