The Nets are finally beginning their move to Brooklyn.
The NBA team announced today that beginning next month they’re moving 150 jobs on its business side of operations to the MetroTech Center in Downtown Brooklyn.
The 10-year lease is for 35,145 square feet on the 11th floor at 15 MetroTech, which is part of the office complex owned by Forest City Ratner Cos. whose CEO Bruce Ratner cut the deals that are bringing the team to Brooklyn.
The Nets plan to eventually relocate much of its team-management operations to office space at the under-construction Barclays Center arena in Prospect Heights, set to open in September.
Nets/Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark said “MetroTech is a terrific environment in the heart of Brooklyn’s business district and a convenient location for our corporate headquarters” as it’s just one stop to the arena by subway or roughly a 15-minute walk.
However, the team isn’t moving all of its operations to Brooklyn.
The Nets will continue practicing at their existing practice facility in East Rutherford, NJ, at least during their early years in Brooklyn — although team brass said they’re exploring relocating from there as well.
The Knicks practice outside the Big Apple in Tarrytown, NY.