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October 20, 2009
Padding the house at The Rock last week? Yup
Atlantic Yards Report
Well, the crowd at last Tuesday's inaugural Nets preseason game at the Prudential Center may have approached regular-season levels, but they sure weren't paying full fare.
From the Star-Ledger's report:
Arena officials said about 5,000 tickets for last week's game were distributed to community groups, schools and other local organizations by foundations and others who bought them. Another 2,100 tickets were purchased for $10, thanks to a special coupon distributed by the city of Newark. Add in the complimentary tickets handed out to sponsors and more than half those in attendance watched the game from free or almost-free seats.
A co-owner of the New Jersey Devils and the arena said it was all about exposure for the facility, which may still be an alternative if the Brooklyn move falls through but--according to Mayor Cory Booker--is now being prioritized as an interim location.
Related coverage...
Newark Star-Ledger, 'The rock' puts out welcome mat
"We are building our brand," Nets senior vice president Leo Ehrline said of the decision to play the games in Newark. "This is a beautiful building and it's great for our brand."
The team plays its regular season home games at the Izod Center in East Rutherford but plans to open a new arena in Brooklyn in 2012.
Though the Nets have played preseason games elsewhere in the area, the games in Newark are creating special interest. One reason is speculation the Newark games are some kind of audition to test fan interest in the team and professional basketball.
Posted by eric at October 20, 2009 9:37 AM