The Nets are in a Brooklyn State of Mind.
Rap icon and part owner Jay-Z made it official Monday, announcing that the team would be renamed the Brooklyn Nets once they move from Newark to the under-construction Barclays Center in Prospect Heights next fall.
VIDEO: JAY-Z ANNOUNCES B’KLYN NETS
“I asked for two things: One is that we name the New Jersey Nets the Brooklyn Nets, and the second is that I open [the arena] with a concert,” said the hometown superstar.
While reflecting on his decision to become part of the Nets family in 2003, Jay-Z, during a press conference near the arena site, also said the project is especially important to him because he grew up nearby at the Marcy Houses in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Referring to how many concerts he plans to hold for what is expected to be part of a gala three-week, arena opening in September 2012, Jay-Z said “Maybe one, maybe two, maybe three.”
“I sound like LeBron (James) now,” the “Empire State of Mind” rapper joked, referring to the Miami Heat star’s infamous proclamation that he, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade would win multiple NBA championships.
Regarding the name change, developer Bruce Ratner, who is building the 18,000-seat Barclays Center and is another part owner in the Nets, said it’s all about tapping into the worldwide-popular “Brooklyn brand.”
He also said the Nets, despite being cellar-dwellers in recent years, have a “legacy” that includes two championships in the old American Basketball Association and two NBA Finals appearances.
So the team opted to keep the name in respect of its loyal fan base, he added.
“My main issue was that the team had to have ‘Brooklyn’ in its name, so I’m happy,” said Borough President Marty Markowitz, who, thankfully, did not get his full wish — that the team be named the “Brooklyn Bridges” or “Brooklyn Tudes” – as in “Attitudes.”
Using the name “Brooklyn Dodgers” — in honor of the beloved baseball team that fled to Los Angeles in 1957 — was also briefly considered, team officials said.
The Nets started in 1967 as the New Jersey Americans in the former ABA, before moving to Long Island a year later and being renamed the New York Nets. The club entered the NBA in the 1976-77 season, and a year later moved to New Jersey.
The Nets will have several players on their current roster intact for the 2012 season. There is a team option on forward Damion James, and Brook Lopez will receive a qualifying offer.
The big question is whether star point guard Deron Williams picks up his player option or signs a long-term deal with the Nets before they move to Brooklyn. Another question mark is Mr. Kim Kardashain — also known as Kris Humphries — who is a free agent.
The remainder of the team — Travis Outlaw, Anthony Morrow, Jordan Farmar and Johan Petro — is signed through 2012. Rookies Marshon Brooks and Jordan Williams are expected to be signed whenever a current labor deal is reached.