The 2012-13 NBA season will be the first time that the Nets play in their new hometown of Brooklyn, New York since leaving their previous longtime home in New Jersey. The team will call the brand new Barclays Center home this season, and as of 10 a.m. ET today, September 24, tickets for this season’s individual games are on sale to the general public.
The team reportedly announced the on-sale date first via Twitter on Monday, September 10, and later releasing a press release that announced availability of tickets. The Brooklyn Nets will play their first preseason game against the Washington Wizards on Monday, October 15, at 7:30 p.m. The 2012-13 regular season tips off for Brooklyn when they host their new rivals, the New York Knicks, on Thursday, November 1.
Hopes are high, for fans, players, coaches, and especially the owner, Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov. According to Neswday, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, September 21 to celebrate the successful construction of the Barclays Center arena, Prokhorov told reporters that he and the team are “on the right track,” and he expects the Nets to win a “championship within three years now.” In addition to the hype surrounding the team’s recent move to Brooklyn, the Nets will also receive additional publicity through their appearance this season on the NBA’s series, The Association. This is the fourth run of the behind-the-scenes series, and it will feature the Brooklyn Nets beginning on October 16 via NBA TV and NBA.com.
After years of construction and several major setbacks, including a lawsuit and intense local opposition, Brooklyn’s new Barclays Center is complete and ready to host a professional basketball team and major figures in the entertainment industry. According to the venue’s website, the complex is scheduled to officially open its doors on Friday, September 28, and it will “showcase the world’s most thrilling entertainment and sports events right in the heart of Brooklyn, New York.” After the opening, Jay Z, Brooklyn native and partial owner of the Nets, will play eight sold-out shows there to commemorate the event, launching the center’s inaugural season.
The arena boasts “18,000 seats with unparalleled sightlines” for sporting events, and it can accommodate up to 19,000 for musical performances with “one of the most intimate seating configurations ever designed for a modern multi-purpose arena.” The complex also features 101 luxury suites, four bars/lounges, and three clubs. In addition to home games for the Nets, the Barclays Center will also host many other sporting events. The NHL’s New York Islanders are scheduled play the New Jersey Devils, in what would be the first ever professional hockey game to be held in Brooklyn pending a quick end to the current lockout. Brooklyn area residents arena will also be able to see The Harlem Globetrotters and bouts from World Championship Boxing. The center will also host a slew of musical guests aside from rapper Jay Z, featuring several entertainment superstars in its upcoming lineup including Barbara Streisand, Justin Bieber, Bob Dylan, and Lady Gaga.
