Sports
Bill de Blasio's Latest Local Sports Diss: The Brooklyn Nets
"This Brooklyn Nets idea has not been working out as it was planned."
![](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/ap/22859473/20171207/090746/styles/raw/public/processed_images/ap_359864191830-1512654658-3662.jpg)
BROOKLYN, NY — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has found himself wrapped up in another controversy over local sports teams, this time with the Brooklyn Nets.
It started Tuesday night, when a constituent at a town hall in Queens stood up t ask him a question. The man was wearing a Nets jacket, and before he could ask his question, de Blasio took a chance to get in a jab at the NBA team.
"I'm from Brooklyn too," de Blasio reportedly said, "but this Brooklyn Nets idea has not been working out as it was planned, so I admire you for sticking with them."
Find out what's happening in Park Slopewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Wow! @NYCMayor de Blasio, who backed Atlantic Yards, tells man wearing @BrooklynNets jacket at Queens town hall meeting: "I'm from Brooklyn too, but this Brooklyn Nets idea has not been working out as it was planned, so I admire you for sticking with them." pic.twitter.com/QgHSbWsKbL
— Rich Calder (@Rich_Calder) December 6, 2017
The Nets, which play at Barclays Center, within walking distance of the mayor's old home in Park Slope, and practice in Sunset Park, didn't miss the chance to respond.
"Hello, @NYCMayor," the team said from its official Twitter account. "From one Brooklynite to another, you should know that we always have each other’s backs. Like all of NYC, we're always grinding to get better. If you want to see some real grit, our doors are always open."
Find out what's happening in Park Slopewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Hello, @NYCMayor. From one Brooklynite to another, you should know that we always have each other’s backs. Like all of NYC, we're always grinding to get better. If you want to see some real grit, our doors are always open.
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 6, 2017
De Blasio's spokesman, Eric Phillips, said the mayor didn't mean to disrespect the Brooklyn basketball team.
"The Mayor's a fan and rooting for you guys!" Phillips said in response to the Nets' tweet. "We'll find a way to get him to do it in person. #NoBloodNoFoul?"
The Mayor's a fan and rooting for you guys! We'll find a way to get him to do it in person. #NoBloodNoFoul? https://t.co/fKnX0HAcFF
— Eric Phillips (@EricFPhillips) December 6, 2017
As the New York Post notes, the mayor isn't exactly the biggest champion for New York's pro sports teams.
The Manhattan-born — but Boston-raised — de Blasio grew up cheering for the Patriots and Red Sox and hasn't shied away from his allegiances after settling down in Brooklyn and working his way up the political scene.
He took the Patriots' side during the "deflategate" scandal and has expressed sympathy with Jets fans who have had to suffer through losing seasons.
During the Yankees surprise run through the postseason this year, de Blasio said he wouldn't be rooting for the Bronx Bombers.
Watch Now: Bill de Blasio's Latest Local Sports Diss
(AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)
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