SAN ANTONIO — They can ask. But Mikhail Prokhorov does not want to sell.
Responding to a report he is “listening” to offers from potential buyers for the Brooklyn Nets, the Russian billionaire owner made it clear he wants to keep the franchise.
“We have no interest in selling the team,” Prokhorov said in a statement.
When the Clippers situation with Donald Sterling resulted in a $2 billion price tag for Steve Ballmer, virtually all the owners in the NBA began doing internal evaluations to determine the value of their franchises. On Saturday, Yahoo! Sports reported Prokhorov was listening to advances from potential buyers for the Nets.
It has been public knowledge that Bruce Ratner, who owns up to 20 percent of the team, has been looking to sell. Plus there are about 100 other minority owners. After the Clippers mess broke, people wanted to know what they had.
“They are getting an evaluation,” one league source said. “So they need to know what the whole thing is worth.”
The report said Prokhorov was “just listening” to offers for the team.
During the evaluation period there very well may have been offers to try to buy the team, the source said, reiterating what Prokhorov claimed.
The Nets play in one of the league’s most successful all-purpose arenas, Barclays Center — the Clippers share Staples Center with the Lakers. In addition to its NBA team, Barclays Center will be home to the Islanders in 2015. Plus it is a strong venue for concerts and other sports, including college basketball.
In 2010, Prokhorov was approved by the league as the owner of the Nets, controlling 80 percent of the team and 45 percent of Barclays Center. Prokhorov paid about $225 million.
And this season, Prokhorov shelled out nearly $200 million for the Nets and hardly was pleased with their second-round elimination in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Prokhorov spent $106 million in salary and amnesty payments plus $92 million in luxury tax.