Russian diplomat's daughter gets top Nets post

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- The daughter of a Russian diplomat was hired as president of the company that will oversee the New Jersey Nets.

Mikhail Prokhorov's Onexim Group announced on Thursday that Irina Pavlova will be the NBA team owner's representative in the New York area.

Pavlova has extensive experience in business and finance. She earned an MBA from Stanford University, worked as a financial analyst with Prudential Investment Corp. and became Russia's first employee for Google. She lived in Moscow and Washington as a child.

Prokhorov, a billionaire who is Russia's richest man, has promised to revive the last-place Nets. His company described Pavlova as the "perfect bridge between Russia and the United States."

"She will establish the company's office (in New York) and cooperate closely with the Nets management to ensure they have everything they need to build a championship team," Onexim said in a statement.

Pavlova will coordinate the development project in Brooklyn that is to become the Nets' new home. The long-delayed arena is expected to open in 2012. Prokhorov agreed to buy 80 percent of the Nets and 45 percent of the arena project from developer Bruce Ratner last year.