The billionaire will consider selling a controlling stake if he receives an offer he cannot refuse, the source said.

Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov does not plan to sell his entire stake in the American basketball team and will put up about 20% of the club for sale, the Vedomosti newspaper reported on Wednesday , citing a source close to the businessman.

To collect applications for this share, and not to find a buyer for a controlling stake in Brooklyn Nets, the businessman hired one of the American banks some time ago, the newspaper’s interlocutor said. At the same time, he added that Prokhorov would consider the possibility of selling a controlling stake in the club only if “someone takes the initiative” and makes an offer that cannot be refused. “But so far there are no such proposals, and negotiations on the sale of a controlling stake are not ongoing with anyone,” the source concluded.

Bloomberg, citing two sources , reported on January 13 that Prokhorov hired the American consulting company Evercore Partners to prepare the sale of the Brooklyn Nets basketball club.

Prokhorov acquired a majority stake in the Brooklyn Nets in 2009, becoming the first foreigner to own an NBA basketball team. The billionaire controls 80% of the Brooklyn Nets and 45% of the team's home arena, Barclays Center. In 2014, unconfirmed reports appeared more than once that Prokhorov intended to get rid of the asset. And Prokhorov’s representatives have always denied these reports. at the beginning of 2014 The billionaire himself assured that he is proud to be the owner of the Brooklyn Nets and has “no desire to sell the team.”

In January 2014, American Forbes estimated the club's value at $780 million.

Prokhorov puts 20% of Brooklyn Nets up for sale