When the Nets open Barclays Center in September '12, the arena "will be a showplace, the place that changes the game," according to ESPN N.Y.'s Rob Parker, who toured the Brooklyn construction site yesterday. Barclays Center "will be the darling of the NBA, a must-see for residents of and visitors to the Big Apple." While it is "not close to being finished, you can't help but envision what it will be like, how it will feel to watch an NBA game in downtown Brooklyn." Nets Senior VP/Business & Entertainment Communications Barry Baum said that "construction is on schedule." Steel is 40% complete, and "portions of the roof are being framed." The first roof truss "has been erected and the second one is being raised." The roof "will be complete by the early part of 2012," and the Nets said that the facade "will begin to go up this summer." Parker wrote, "My eyes popped and my heart picked up a few beats when I finally laid my eyes on this place that has been talked about for years, almost in mythical terms." The arena's location "allows fans from all points to get here with ease," and on game nights, "this place will be bananas, in a good way" (ESPNNY.com, 6/22).
NO SLEEP 'TIL BROOKLYN: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Amara Grautski noted the Nets have "work to do" before the move from Newark to Barclays Center for the '12-13 season, "given that only 8% of the Nets' 2010-11 season-ticket holders hail from Brooklyn." The team "has put up seven billboards and has sent its envoys out to make a spate of public appearances." The Nets "have been making a habit of pulling from their arsenal of do-good acts to help attract new fans and lure existing ones away" from the Knicks. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said, "We'll be introducing a second team into this region, and it's important for the owners of the Brooklyn Nets to show the families of Brooklyn that they eagerly seek their support and their fan base to root for the home team." Grautski noted Brooklyn residents and business owners "account for 40% of the 2012-13 Nets premium season tickets sold thus far" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 6/22).
