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Jay-Z to visit new Barclays Center in 2012

September 29, 2011 Denise Romano

Photo courtesy of the Barclays Center

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Music mogul and Bed-Stuy native Shawn Jay-Z Carter will be theopening act for the Brooklyn Nets which will make the BarclaysCenter in downtown Brooklyn, at the Atlantic Terminal, theirhome.

Jay-Z announced on Monday – the same day that Nets ownership madethe team name official — that he will be the first act to performat the brand new, state-of-the-art arena located in ProspectHeights when it opens in September, 2012.

From the moment the Barclays Center became a reality, I knew thismeant something significant for Brooklyn, Carter said. This iswhere I’m from, I’ll always be Brooklyn, and opening this arenawill mean more to me than anywhere else. I also look forward toopening night for the Brooklyn Nets. We’re going to create anatmosphere like only Brooklyn can.

The big announcement was made on the plaza of Atlantic Terminal,overlooking construction at the arena. Borough President MartyMarkowitz; Bruce Ratner, the chairperson of Forest City RatnerCompanies, which is constructing the arena; Brett Yormark, BarclaysCenter and Nets chief executive officer, and 25 students fromGeorge Westinghouse High School were on hand to celebrate thenews.

Who else but Jay-Z could open the Barclays Center? Ratner said.Jay-Z is a world icon, but more importantly he’s a Brooklyn icon.It’s going to be an incredible experience next year when Jay- Z,Brooklyn’s own, takes the stage to open the Barclays Center and ourvision becomes a reality.

Brooklyn is where legends are made and dreams come true – and noone proves it more than our very own Jay-Z, a dedicatedphilanthropist, innovative artist, entrepreneur and cultural iconwho, as a Nets investor, helped take my vision of bringing aprofessional basketball team to the center court’ of Brooklyn anddrove it in for the layup, Markowitz said. As for the selectionof the Brooklyn team name, was there ever any doubt?

Nets chairperson Chris Charlier said that his decision to name theteam the Brooklyn Nets was an easy one. It reflects thedecades-long tradition of our team and fans, as well as the dynamicnew place that will be our home, he explained. Jay-Z embodies thespirit of Brooklyn – its energy, guts and spirit. We are delightedour friend and partner will be opening the Barclays Center.