"I believe direct communication is important," Vanderbeek wrote in the letter, a copy of which he provided to The Star-Ledger. "Let me clearly state that nothing would please the Devils' organization and the Prudential Center more than hosting several Nets preseason games next year and more into the future."

The Nets revealed this week that they hoped to play three preseason games in Newark next fall as a way to expand their fan base and to offset costs to their season-ticket holders - leading many in the organization to wonder if the team was exploring the viability of a permanent move to Newark.

Team officials still insist that the Nets will be playing in Brooklyn in 2011, but their plans to build a $1 billion arena have been stalled by legal challenges and, more recently, the economic downturn.

Vanderbeek said the Devils were open to the idea of hosting Nets preseason games at the Rock as a way to showcase the 2-year-old Prudential Center to the team's fans, and that the team was working on its proposal when the Nets went public and called off the negotiations.

"I'm very surprised by the last couple of days, put it that way," Vanderbeek said, and then referred all questions to his letter to Yormark.

In the letter, Vanderbeek said the Nets wanted the Devils to guarantee regular-season gate for the three preseason games, even though the Nets would not bill its season-ticket holders.

"As you know, preseason games typically play to half the audience of a regular-season game," he wrote. "That is a difficult position to start from but we were preparing a program that would make sense for the Rock and the Nets."

The letter continues: "We still would like the opportunity to present our program and hope that your statements do not restrict the desire to provide your season-ticket holders with the opportunity to enjoy the experience of games at the Rock. We stand ready to meet with you at your earliest convenience."

Yormark, reached before the Nets played Boston last night, said he was willing to reopen negotiations - but to a point.

"As someone said earlier, if we can reduce the burden to our season-ticket holders, I shouldn't be responsible for selling tickets at another person's building," Yormark said. "And if the Prudential Center is viable for all sporting events and concerts, they should have the wherewithal to sell tickets and put on a great show for fans in Newark. That is their responsibility. ...

"My point is, I'm willing to have a conversation with (Vanderbeek) and Devils management if they meet the parameters that we set forth - which is to guarantee the same gate revenue we have at the Izod Center (for preseason games), and take responsibility to promote and sell tickets. We would collaborate and assist in this effort. But the risk is on them - they need to sell seats."

According to one Devils official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak for the team, Vanderbeek was angered at the way the negotiations with the Nets were portrayed because he had not spoken directly to Yormark in over a year and a half.

The official said he believed the Nets were trying to back the Devils into a corner to accept a deal that did not make sense financially. "It's completely concocted and a total setup - that's very apparent," the official said.

Vanderbeek did take issue with assertion from an unnamed Nets official that the Devils did not have the "sales force or infrastructure" in place to create the necessary revenue to appeal to the Nets.

"I couldn't disagree more," he said. "How did these Nets officials make this decision? And why wouldn't they be comfortable with their own sales force selling their own preseason games?"

Dave D'Alessandro contributed to this report.

Steve Politi may be reached at spoliti@starledger.com