Hockey
Melrose Offers Apology for Newark Joke
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ESPN hockey analyst Barry Melrose apologized yesterday for negative remarks about the area around the New Jersey Devils' new Prudential Center arena.
In a video segment posted on ESPN.com last week, Melrose described the recently opened arena as a "beautiful new building" but added, "Don't go outside if you have a wallet or anything else, because the area around the arena is just horrible."
Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker and Municipal Council President Mildred Crump took exception to the remarks and called for Melrose to apologize.
"All of us make mistakes, but it's a shame when it's at the expense of 300,000 people," Booker said, referring to Newark's population.
Newark has experienced a rising homicide rate in recent years, and city officials are banking on the new arena to change perceptions about New Jersey's largest city and to spur downtown development.
Melrose said he has driven through Newark before but has not been to the Prudential Center. He said he based his comments on footage aired by Canadian broadcaster TSN before the Devils' first game at the new arena Oct. 27.
"I was trying to be funny and I'm sorry it didn't come through that way," he said by phone from St. Louis. "No excuse."
-- From News Services
