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Report: Prokhorov open to selling majority stake in Nets

Nathaniel S. Butler / National Basketball Association / Getty

Having received little interest in minority shares, Russian owner Mikhail Prokhorov is now considering upping the ante and selling a majority stake in the Brooklyn Nets, according to The New York Post's Josh Kosman and Brian Lewis.

After seeing the level of intrigue surrounding the Houston Rocets ever since their owner, Leslie Alexander, put the franchise up for sale, Prokhorov is reportedly hopeful there will be some parties who also give his Nets a look.

"As word gets out about the new Nets process, some of the Rockets interest may spill over," an unnamed source said.

A group of Chinese investors has reportedly caught the eye of both teams. Houston still has an enormous fan base in that part of the world because of eight-time All-Star Yao Ming, while Brooklyn's support is on the rise due to Jeremy Lin being on its current roster.

"Our brand in China is growing, in merchandise sales and commercially,” Nets CEO Brett Yormark told The Post.

With the Rockets reportedly looking for $2 billion in a sale, Prokhorov is seeking a similar valuation.

He initially bought an 80 percent stake in the Nets while they were situated in New Jersey, while also obtaining 45 percent in the Barclays Center. The team moved to Brooklyn in 2012, with Prokhorov eventually taking full control in 2015.

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