It’s good to be the kings.
Multibillionaire and newly minted Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov convened a meeting of his peers yesterday morning — breaking bread with partner Jay-Z and Mayor Bloomberg at a gathering whose net worth is larger than the economies of more than a few small nations.
The basketball-loving Russian oligarch was in town to kick the tires on his new investment — an 85 percent stake in the moribund team — and to officially declare himself a part of the New York firmament.
“I asked the mayor if he was interested in coaching the team, and he’s thinking really seriously about it,” Prokhorov, 45, joked later.
The 6-foot-7 mining tycoon said he had met Jay-Z — who is a minority shareholder — twice before, and felt “lucky” to be working with him.
“Despite the fact that I am very far from the rap music, we have a lot in common . . . I share his passion for Brooklyn,” Prokhorov said.
The retro-style mogul — who doesn’t own a cellphone, rarely uses a computer, prefers newspapers and writes his own letters — also got his first look at the Atlantic Yards project, accompanied by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and developer Bruce Ratner. The whirlwind tour was part of just another day at the office for Prokhorov, who claims he needs just five to six hours of sleep a night, and jokingly asked reporters for “some recommendations” for relaxing here.
Prokhorov — worth an estimated $17 billion — likes to flash his cash in spectacular style.
In 2008, he founded a Web site called Snob, celebrating rich Russians. He owns a $45 million yacht — which he rarely uses because he gets seasick — and a private jet.
For fun, the self-professed playboy says he loves being surrounded by beautiful women, engaging in adventure sports and living the high life. “I spend 15 hours in my office every day, and five or six hours of sleep,” he said. “Every three weeks, maybe I have a party with my friends, because social life is also important.”
He’s playing it close to the vest when it comes to his plan for the Nets, who finished 12-70 last season yet still failed to get the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery on Tuesday.
“I don’t want to put on the table all of my secrets,” he said.