MSG has "reclaimed its title as the busiest arena in the country," according to Josh Kosman of the N.Y. POST. Pollstar data shows that MSG sold 35% "more tickets to concerts and family events" than Barclays Center from the time MSG reopened on Oct. 24 "through the end of the year." MSG "sold 256,379 tickets over that span compared with Barclays total of 189,467 tickets." Barclays Center sold roughly 7% fewer tickets "to concerts and family shows in the fourth quarter last year, its second autumn season, than in the previous year." MSG "saw its non-sports ticket sales grow" by 4.9% in Q4. In the five months ending March 31, Barclays "was dark" 41% of non-pro sports nights, while MSG was dark just 30% for similar sports nights. Nets and Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark said, "The fact that we are even part of this conversation, after being open for only 17 months, validates the impact we are making on the New York entertainment scene. ... We're neck-and-neck in the concert business." He added, "At this point, there's a slight disparity in the number of dark dates due to not having two sports franchises ... but Barclays Center is also looking forward to hosting NBA playoff games this season" (N.Y. POST, 2/18).
