Jay-Z to open Brooklyn Nets' arena
Nets part-owner Jay Z strolls down a closed-off street with the still under-construction Barclays Center behind him, on Sept. 26, 2011. Credit: AP
About a year away from unveiling their new arena, the owners of the Nets announced Monday that they will officially change the team's name to the Brooklyn Nets. In a joint news conference with developer Bruce Ratner, Nets CEO Brett Yormark and Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz, part-owner and media megastar Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter also announced plans to open the new Barclays Center with at least one concert next September.
"This is where I'm from, I'll always be Brooklyn, and opening this arena will mean more to me than anywhere else," Jay-Z said. "I also look forward to opening night for the Brooklyn Nets. We're going to create an atmosphere like only Brooklyn can."
The Nets will play their final season at Prudential Center in Newark, provided the NBA lockout is settled.
Jay-Z said there "definitely" would be a concert, joking: "Maybe one, maybe two, maybe three. I sound like LeBron."
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