As the Nets make a run to the playoffs in their inaugural season in Brooklyn, the "hottest ticket in town has become the hottest scene in New York City," according to Jason Sheftell of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. This is "not the hottest new club in town or a celebrity roll-out event." It is "pregame at the Calvin Klein Courtside Club, below street level at Barclays Center -- and only players’ families, VIPs, or paying courtside seat holders get in." The "sleek black-and-white design motif, a collaboration between arena architect SHoP, the Nets, Barclays Center, and Courtside Club sponsor Calvin Klein, came about after" Nets and Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark identified brands "who embrace the black-and-white team color scheme." Calvin Klein CEO Tom Murry said, "The space was meant to be sexy, sleek and cool -- which is what our brand is all about." Sheftell noted the Nets made a "conscious decision not to hand out free tickets to celebrities or embrace a celebrity row strategy." Instead of a "paparazzi scene, it’s relaxed and unassuming, but highly stylish." Tickets for premium seats "are pricey." A Vault suite "costs $600,000 at 3-, 5-, 7- and 10-year terms." Calvin Klein Courtside Club entrance "goes to seatholders in rows one through six surrounding the court." Tickets "range from $250 to $3,000 per seat per game." Those seats "come with pregame player views." With the placement of the club "feet from the court and the Nets locker room, players pass by often" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/9).
CHRISTENING THE ICE: The Islanders yesterday announced that they will play a preseason game at Barclays Center on Sept. 21 ahead of their planned move to the arena in '15. The contest against the Devils will mark the first NHL game played in Brooklyn (Islanders). In N.Y., Brett Cyrgalis noted the same matchup "was supposed to take place this past preseason but that was cancelled" due to the lockout. There remain "some alterations to be done" at Barclays Center "before a hockey team can move in full time" (NYPOST.com, 4/9). Also in N.Y., Jeff Klein noted tickets for the game "will be available for" Islanders season-ticket holders and some Nets season-ticket holders starting tomorrow. Ticket sales "to the general public begin April 17" (NYTIMES.com, 4/9).
