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TAVERN ON THE GREEN NAME GAME

It could cost the new owner of Tavern on the Green $19 million to keep the eatery’s famous name — but restaurateur Dean Poll said he’s not even sure he wants it.

“There’s pros and cons to keeping the name,” said Poll, 52, the Central Park Boathouse owner who was named the new operator of the iconic eatery Friday.

“A new name is fresh, and an old name has history,” he said.

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While Poll holds the license to operate the restaurant, ousted restaurateur Jennifer LeRoy, 30, continues to control the “Tavern on the Green” name.

Poll will assume restaurant operations Jan. 1.

“Jennifer LeRoy is proud of the name,” said her spokeswoman, Shelley Clark. “The name certainly has a future, but what that is we don’t know yet.” Annie Karni