The St. John’s men’s basketball team would be open to playing some games at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn when that arena opens for the 2012-13 season, a source with knowledge told ZAGSBLOG.COM.
The source said the school’s “primary commitment is to Madison Square Garden” but that the school “would be open to an appropriate opportunity should it arise.”
The New York Times first reported the news in Tuesday’s editions.
Bruce Ratner, minority owner of the Nets, told the paper the Barclays Center would like to host St. John’s games.
The arena is set to be the new home of the Nets beginning in 2012-13. The Nets will play the next two seasons at The Prudential Center in Newark.
St. John’s does not have an exclusivity clause with Madison Square Garden.
“While we respect any competition, the Garden will always be the Garden,” Garden spokesman Barry Watkins told The Times. “Madison Square Garden is located in the heart of New York City, sitting on top of the busiest transportation hub in the nation. The Garden hosts over 400 events annually and has been a destination for New Yorkers and visitors to the city for over 130 years.”
Ratner said he believed Knicks fans from Brooklyn would gradually become Nets fans.
“I also think it will be somewhat true for Staten Island, somewhat true for Queens and for Long Island certainly,” he told The Times.
(Graphic courtesy Barclayscenter.com)
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