NEWARK -- The New Jersey Nets would play at the Prudential Center for at least the next two years while the Izod Center in the Meadowlands will get more concert and family show bookings under the deal that is close to being signed, according to a report in The Record.

The report said the deal would include the creation of Jersey Presents LLC between the owners of the Prudential Center and the Izod Center. Jerry Zaro, Gov. Jon Corzine’s economic czar, told the newspaper “You can’t have two venues that close together fighting each other and have that be productive for the state. The governor recognized that this was going to be a festering wound."

Under the deal, the report said the Prudential Center would become New Jersey's prime sports venue -- home to Nets pro basketball, New Jersey Devils hockey, Seton Hall University basketball, indoor pro soccer and indoor pro lacrosse. The city of Newark would reportedly get more than $2 million in back rent from the Devils.

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