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Russian Billionaire Prokhorov Vows to Retain Control of Brooklyn Nets

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

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

There had been reports last month that he had been involved in discussions about selling part of the team, though general manager Billy King said afterward that Prokhorov wouldn't sell his majority stake.

"My position is that I will not give up control of the team, but you know I'm quite happy when somebody is sending me a nice offer without taking my controlling interest," Prokhorov said. "I think for the time being nothing is imminent, but still I think it's not bad just to listen."

Prokhorov bought the team in 2010 and had set a goal of winning an NBA championship in five years, though the Nets are not considered serious contenders this season.

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