Vote on Russian tycoon's Nets bid to proceed as planned

TORONTO - A vote on a Russian tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov's bid to purchase the New Jersey Nets will go ahead as planned despite calls for an investigation into his business dealings in Zimbabwe, the NBA said Tuesday.

Prokhorov, a nickel magnate and one of Russia's richest men, signed a letter of intent in September to acquire the NBA franchise and move the struggling team to Brooklyn.

"U.S. companies are not prohibited from doing business in Zimbabwe; rather, they are prohibited from conducting business with specifically-identified individuals or entities in that country," NBA spokesman Michael Bass said in a statement.