With a troubled economy, the NBA is bracing for a difficult financial season and clubs are getting creative in order to sell tickets. None more so than the Nets. The team is offering fans a 10-game plan that comes with reversible jerseys that have the name of a Nets' player on one side and an opposing team's player on the other.
Fans can make their choice from among Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce or Ray Allen.
"I don't think it has ever been done before," said Chris Granger, the NBA's senior vice president for team marketing and business operations. "I don't think any team has ever given premium items as part of a promotion that highlights someone from another team."
Nets' president and chief executive Brett Yormark explained the reasoning behind the team's promotion.
"We cater to the casual NBA fan, that's our core audience," Yormark said. "So when you think about every arena selling opposing player jerseys at the concession stands, and when you think about attendance always being greater when you have the key matchups and the best players in town, why wouldn't you do it? It gives the fans another added benefit, not only to embrace their favorite local player, but also a member of the opposition that they also came out to see."