New Jersey’s push to reclaim an NBA franchise has quietly re-entered public conversation, but the league’s position remains unchanged behind the scenes. At the center of that renewed pressure is New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, who has made the team’s return part of a broader public narrative about restoring top-tier basketball presence to the state.

During a live chat in Newark marking her first 100 days in office, Sherrill suggested that efforts were being explored to bring the team back from Brooklyn. But according to a league source, there is no traction on that front, with no active dialogue or a formal pathway under consideration within the NBA structure.

“They’re perfectly happy in Brooklyn…There have been no conversations with (Nets) ownership or leadership and the governor or her administration,” a highly-placed league source confirmed. “[They] have no plans to bring the Brooklyn Nets back to New Jersey,” per the New York Post.

For 35 seasons, the Nets built deep roots across New Jersey. The franchise opened with four years at Rutgers. Then spent 29 seasons lighting up the Meadowlands before closing its Garden State chapter with a two-year stay at Prudential Center, better known as The Rock, in Newark. However, since arriving at Barclays Center in 2012, the franchise and even its G League squad have operated under the ownership of e-commerce billionaire Joe Tsai, tying the team’s future tightly to the borough.

Tsai, who completed full ownership of the Nets and control of Barclays Center operations by 2019 (part of a BSE Global portfolio later valued near $6 billion with minority stakes), has integrated the team deeply into Brooklyn’s ecosystem alongside the WNBA’s New York Liberty. This ownership model: team + arena, enhances profitability but makes relocation logistically and financially complex.

Tracing back, during an April 29 appearance at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Governor Sherrill stepped into a fascinating basketball debate. The discussion, backed by RWJBarnabas Health and guided by NJ.com politics reporter Brent Johnson, turned toward the Nets and their future. Sherrill faced a direct question about pulling the franchise away from Brooklyn and steering it back across the Hudson River to New Jersey, adding fresh intrigue to an old rivalry.

“I mean, would I support it? I ask about it all the time,” Sherrill said. She added, “I love the idea. So, I have been pressing for that. I haven’t made a lot of headway yet; you know, maybe in my second 100 days. But I do think there is some work being done for some — I don’t know if I’m allowed to say too much about it — but some people are working on some different sports coming into the Rock.”

Sherrill’s comments align with ongoing state efforts to revitalize Newark’s downtown core. In early 2026, New Jersey lawmakers advanced a bill offering up to $300 million in tax subsidies for major renovations at Prudential Center (The Rock), including upgrades to electrical systems, lighting, flooring, and concessions. The arena, which generates nearly $680 million in economic activity annually, must demonstrate returns exceeding 150% of the incentives.

This could position The Rock for additional tenants, though no direct link to the Nets has been confirmed. None of those behind-the-scenes sports discussions appear connected to the Nets, whether in Brooklyn or on Long Island.

Moreover, any relocation idea would need approval from the NBA league office before gaining real traction. Additional barriers include the Knicks’ territorial rights in the New York metro area and the Nets’ long-term commitments at Barclays. League circles, however, remain quiet. No formal conversations have taken place, and there is currently no indication that the franchise is preparing to leave Barclays Center anytime soon.

Brooklyn or New Jersey: Which Built the Better Nets Culture?

New Jersey gave the Nets their emotional identity. Meanwhile, Brooklyn elevated the franchise into a modern entertainment powerhouse. During the Meadowlands and Prudential Center years, the culture felt intimate and deeply rooted.

Although attendance rarely matched the quality on the court. Even in the Jason Kidd era, when the franchise reached back-to-back NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003, the arenas often featured large patches of empty seats, and announced crowds sometimes dipped below 9,000 for key games despite the team’s success.

However, the environment carried a raw, local energy. Although the team still struggled to command the region’s full attention against established giants like the Knicks.

Then, Finals runs drew passionate but limited crowds. Now, even with star power (Durant, Irving, Harden), the Brooklyn model has delivered stronger commercial draw and higher attendance, averaging over 17,000 fans per game in recent seasons (often 96-99% capacity) compared to the low-14,000s in the final New Jersey years, per the Atlantic yards report.

But that shift from New Jersey to Brooklyn turned into a game-changer for the Nets. That’s because Brooklyn changed the scale completely. Barclays Center brought visibility, celebrity appeal, and a far stronger commercial presence. Moreover, the franchise gained international recognition through appearances from figures like Bad Bunny, David Beckham, and Olivia Rodrigo, while the arena itself became one of the NBA’s premier destinations. Easier transportation, larger crowds, and stronger media attention also reshaped the experience around the team.

Still, the contrast remains striking. New Jersey represented loyalty and community. Brooklyn represents scale, relevance, and spectacle. One built the heartbeat of the franchise, while the other amplified its reach across the basketball world. It’s safe to say, the Nets’ move to Brooklyn gave them the visibility and fandom that maybe lacked before. Add the star powers of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce from 2013 to 2015. The Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden trio from 2021 to 2023 solidified their significance further.

Meanwhile, the G League affiliate Long Island Nets continue operating out of Nassau Coliseum, and league expectations keep them away from New Jersey as well. So, the NBA isn’t ready to let go of Brooklyn just yet. It looks like the shift to New Jersey won’t be happening anytime soon. And everything, seemingly, comes down to the league’s visibility in the bigger picture.