Sports

Prokhorov insists he will retain control of the Nets, downplays team's financial losses

Associated Press
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Mikhail Prokhorov, owner of the Brooklyn Nets, speaks to the media during a news conference before an NBA basketball game between the Nets and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Barclays Center, Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (The Associated Press)

Mikhail Prokhorov, owner of the Brooklyn Nets, speaks to the media during a news conference before an NBA basketball game between the Nets and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Barclays Center, Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (The Associated Press)

Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov says he will not give up control of the team and downplayed the club's money losses last season as "not a big deal."

Speaking Monday before the Nets' home opener, Prokhorov says he is willing to listen to offers to sell a minority share of the team but that nothing is imminent.

Sprinkling humor among his talk about basketball business, the Russian billionaire also joked about the departure of former coach Jason Kidd but adds that the Nets "shouldn't get mad, I think we should get even."

Prokhorov bought the team in 2010 and had set a goal of winning a championship in five years. He thinks that is still possible "if the stars align."