N.J. Governor Chris Christie to the NBA's Nets: Good riddance

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during his February 26, 2012, appearance on "Face the Nation"

/ CBS News

(CBS News) New Jersey Governor Chris Christie had only one message for the NBA's Nets, who played (and lost) their last home game in the Garden State on Monday night before decamping to their new Brooklyn arena next season: goodbye.

One of the NBA's long-suffering franchises, the Nets spent 35 years in New Jersey - the last two in Newark - never winning an NBA championship. (Although they did win two with Dr. J in the 1970s as part of the now-defunct ABA.)

Now, as the organization prepares to cross the Hudson River for good, Christie said he does not shed a tear.

"If you don't want to stay, we don't want you," the famously straight-talking Christie said in a press conference (video below) when asked about the Nets' departure. "Seriously, I'm not gonna be in the business of begging people to stay here. That's one of the most beautiful arenas in America that they've had a chance to play in. It's in one of the country's most vibrant cities. And they want to leave here and go to Brooklyn? Good riddance."

Poor attendance was often an issue at home games, and the team was purchased by real estate developer Bruce Ratner in 2004 with the intention of moving it to Brooklyn. Those plans were accelerated when Russian tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov bought the team a few years later and a fancy new stadium plan in Brooklyn took shape.

The Nets leave behind a void at the 18,000-seat Prudential Center in Newark, home to the NHL's Devils and NCAA basketball's Seton Hall team. Ever the homer, Christie said he is optimistic about the future of professional basketball in New Jersey.

"I think there'll be some other teams looking to relocate," Christie said.

Below watch Gov. Christie talking about the Nets leaving New Jersey, posted on the governor's YouTube account

[Jakebw123]

Make*

[Jakebw123]

Ok, if you mak fun of his weight, does that mean I can make fun of Michael Moores fat ass and Obama for being black?

[boocbsboooooooooo]

a bunch of fatherless children patting each other on the back here.

[Molly-Pchr]

"Fatherless"?? You say that like it's a disease. I am a widow, I have a son that sees your kind of trash and hears it, and I probably earn more in a day than you do in a week, I worked my way through college, no student loans, I am NOT on welfare, I own my own business, and I am NOT a hooker, I work long hard hours, and my son is an honor student. I'm not bar hopping to find a "man" who will come here just to sit on my sofa and watch football and eat my cooking. We do just fine and better than most around my neighborhood. Grow up.

[stevex47]

Oh, and I'm pretty sure the whole team just told christy "good riddance".

[stevex47]

"I think there'll be some other teams looking to relocate," Christie said."

After you told this team "good riddance"? Not likely marshmellow man.

[wlhoppers]

The Sacramento Kings are looking for a new home. New Jersey is welcome to them...

[Jakebw123]

NEW JERSEY KINGS I like it ;D

[twmat311]

And this "straight talker" could end up as Romney's running mate??? Do we really need his type of statesmanship (i.e., don't let the door hit you on the way out) at any executive level?

[MB-1234]

"Seriously, I'm not gonna be in the business of begging people to stay here."

Really? Then why have you given BILLIONS away in corporate welfare for as little as adding 5 jobs a year? Christie is the BIGGEST HYPOCRITE out there. He gave Campbell's Soup $34.2M in CORPORATE WELFARE to add 5 jobs a year for 10 years.

From the article below: "Since taking office in 2010, Gov. Chris Christie has approved a record $1.57 billion in state tax breaks for dozens of New Jersey's largest companies."

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/05/nyregion/christie-gives-new-jersey-firms-tax-breaks-for-short-moves.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Christies%20Corporate%20Welfare&st=cse

[lesserof2evil]

He'll reap the benefits of those welfare offers once he leaves office.

[unclebernies]

NJ voters will be saying good riddance to the hippocrite next election.

[pr_boxer]

Newark, "one of the country's most vibrant cities" c'mon Chris, Newark is one of the worst places in America. Newark ranks with Detroit, and East St Louis as the ugliest US cities I've ever visited. "Newark",yuk!

[smittyc]

The Nets just moved from one crime ridden town to another. Who wants to get mugged going to a basketball game? The problem is on the courts as well, did you see the elbow Artest gave the Thunder player the otherday. Artest cracked him in the back of the head with his elbow and gave the guy a concussion. Then he said sorry.