Why Barclays Center Could Provide an Assist in Sale of Nets

When Mikhail Prokhorov bought the Nets in 2010, the Russian billionaire proclaimed that he had a five-year plan to bring an NBA championship to a team that hadn't had real success since former coach Jason Kidd was a player. Nearly five years later, Nets fans have little to celebrate other than the team's move from Newark, N.J., to the sparkling new $1.3 billion Barclays Center in the heart of Brooklyn, N.Y. Despite on-court futility and a bleak outlook, Prokhorov's decision to spend $223 million for 80% of the team and 45% of the arena looks like a good investment. Prokhorov and minority partner Bruce Ratner are selling their nearly 100% equity ownership of the Nets with Evercore's Lyle Ayes advising. But the arena, which actually makes money, is reportedly not included in the negotiations. But will it be part of the final sale?