Prokhorov spending money for the sake of the championship

Mikhail Prokhorov is willing to spend large sums of money for the sake of the championship - the conclusion comes Observer "New York Times' Howard Beck.
Mikhail Prokhorov has welcomed to the NBA three years ago with the joke of the Cold War.
"America, I come in peace," - he said at a press conference following the acquisition of a controlling stake in the "Nets" than goalscorers forced to overflowing hall of journalists in the voice laugh. He held himself confident enough for a beginner, but even more alien slyly smiled and remained optimistic that seemed to many traditional mock politeness. now becoming clear that the 48-year-old billionaire playboy and unfading successful politician skillfully disguised as bravado in his memorable " If you do not win the league title in five years - getting married! " negligible share of jokes. You should not entertain any illusions - where the ball is ruled by money, there is no room for sentimentality. And especially mentioned the world - Prokhorov came to conquer the NBA, setting new standards of promiscuity and desperate audacity. This became clear on Thursday, after a "Barclays Center" held a presentation ceremony of two active legends - Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Yes, let the two best years behind, but that from now on they do not need to rush into the breach alone. All because Deron Williams , Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez did not leave the "Brooklyn" and "bench" is a new team looks impressive only at the mention of one of Andrei Kirilenko. $ 102,967,697 - so next season will make payroll, "Nets." If you consider that any of the team had never been able to cross the barrier of a nine-digit, easy to guess, the Russian league will pay a record amount of tax on luxury - as much as $ 90,793,560. In other words, Prokhorov over the past three years with the acquisition evolved from a mysterious alien in Russian George Steinbrenner ( owner of baseball, "Yankees" from 1973 to 2010. - Note. "Chempionat.com" ), with the only difference being that it is a little higher, richer and has a slight accent.

Jason Kidd and Mikhail ProkhorovJason Kidd and Mikhail Prokhorov"I believe in our office is still considered the money - Billionaire laughed when asked about what he would have to shell out a total of about $ 192 million. - But to be honest, I still hope that the final bill is not will be payable. " Believe in it, but with great difficulty. After all, the status of Michael, according to "Forbes" magazine, is $ 13 billion, which means that he is second in the list of the richest owners of the league after Paul Allen of "Portland." It is interesting that 14 of the 30 clubs in the NBA owners are billionaires but none of them, except Prokhorov does not allow himself to spend so crazy money for the team, and even with a Hollywood smile. If anyone has forgotten, the last summer he signed agreements with the players for a total of $ 330 million, though some of them over time, you can get rid of and trade it for a more profitable assets. "Why am I doing this? Just want to reach the goal and win is the title of a "Brooklyn" - recognized businessman. - I have set myself this goal when acquired "Nets", and does not intend to abandon it.'s because for me there is always only one place - the first. " And if we start from the fact that most experts believe the "Nets" is not simply one of the favorites for the championship in the upcoming season, and, along with the current two-time champion - "Miami", a top contender for the title, Prokhorov steamed with general manager Billy King did their best. Or do you know the other team, in which each player starting five took part in the All-Star Game? Hardly. And the bookies can not be wrong, they risk much more by raising rates on the championship - from 40/1 to 10/1. "Brooklyn" is not the only club whose payment system in one particular season gets out of the magical $ 100 million. The uniqueness of the situation is that no one has had to pay such huge taxes on the players. This stems from the drastic measures taken by the league to reduce the huge spending teams from large markets to the players and create conditions for maximum competition. After all, the former under which spenders for every dollar paid in excess of the ceiling one more in the treasury, clearly out of date. now with only minimal exceeded the ceiling set at $ 71.75 million, will have to pay on top of the league at $ 1.5 for every dollar. And then, each time through the barrier of $ 5 million, the rate will increase. Thus, in effect, "Nets" will pay for their brute rate of $ 2.91 for every dollar, and voiced tax of $ 90.8 million exceeds the total payments as the club during the previous 11 years, and the league's teams in the 2012 season / 13. And this at a time when most teams refuse surplus, as the same, "Miami", to write off the contract of Mike Miller . Even astronomical payments "Nix" tax on luxury since 2002, which according to various estimates are $ 205 million, dwarfed by background of those costs that are prepared to accept a generous neighbor from Brooklyn. Payroll, "New York" at the moment is 84 million, which is significantly less than the amount that appears in official documents. irritant to the other teams and the league as a whole is the fact that "Brooklyn" is spending astronomical amounts by the standards of the NBA after how sezon-2011/12 year was in jeopardy. And this despite the fact that the leadership of the league two years ago with the incredible efforts to promote new rules restricting clubs in their spending in order to finance the gap between rich and poor was not as deep. But Mr. Prokhorov, between you and me, it was deeply spit at these conventions . Only last year, when the "Nets" moved to Brooklyn, the team increased the cost by half - to $ 530 million. Furthermore, Michael himself in an interview with the magazine "Forbes" said that since that time he became the owner, the cost of the team made ​​the sum is five times greater than that which invested the previous owners of the club. And that's not to mention the construction of a new arena.

Mikhail ProkhorovMikhail Prokhorov"And I'm willing to spend even more to make the" Brooklyn "the best team in the NBA," - says Prokhorov. And the signing of artists such as Pierce and Garnett suggests that these costs can be recouped in a short time. Already compared to last season, the price of tickets jumped by a quarter and the cost of subscriptions has increased by 41%. And the star replenishment "Brooklyn" is one of the main reasons why the club wants to make their fans to pay even more money. Also, according to various research centers, the audience of fans, "Nets" for this season increased by 40,000 persons in connection with that with the new season of the players, "Brooklyn" will be Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce . Fans literally swept from the shelves of T-shirts with the names of those on the first day they arrive in the club stores. "From a marketing perspective, the invitation Pierce and Garnett - a stunning move, - says CEO" Nets " Brett Yormark . - Mr. Prokhorov craves victories, and he will do anything to achieve their goal. " However, in order to become a champion , some spending will not be enough. Ask the leaders of "Nix". Or at least remember Mark Kyubana whose "Mavericks", despite the huge investments have become a champion only once. "Brooklyn has made ​​his choice. Will be interesting to see whether their investments benefit - says he Kyuban. - My experience tells me that wastefulness in the off-season does not always bear fruit." However, when Mark was asked if he would spend $ 90 million, if it is guaranteed to bring his team to the title, he replied: "Yes, even now." Let the current system of spending limits the NBA will not be able to moderate appetites Prokhorov, its costs can seriously help the less richest clubs in the league. Half of the amount paid by the "Brooklyn" taxes (about 41 million), will be distributed among those who do not exceed the limits set by the leadership of the NBA. At this point, each will receive an average of about 1.66 million. Balance is the amount will go to a special fund NBA. Mr. Prokhorov have only two years to achieve the goal of becoming the champion of the NBA. Otherwise billionaire bachelor will have to keep that word and marry. Prokhorov himself has assured that the marriage did not even want to think and believe that the remaining two years it will be enough to make his dream come true.