The Barclays Centre is the name of the new stadium housing the Brooklyn Nets, one of the NBA’s longest established and most nomadic teams.  From New York to New Jersey and now back to the City as the Brooklyn Nets, they will open their new season, under their new name and at their new arena on November 1st against City rivals the New York Knicks.
Whatever the season holds on the court they are setting a new standard for in stadium technology and connectivity.
There is sufficient wifi coverage to enable everyone in a packed house to wield their smart phones and tablets, follow in game stat apps and order food, drink and refreshments without leaving their seat and without parting with old style cash.
This connectivity is as next generation as Livestrong Park in Kansas was and indicative of the move to technology highlighted in our September Members’ Round Table.
The centre piece of the stadium is a scoreboard suspended from the roof measuring three stories high. One novelty is that the main entrance from street level goes straight into the arena and enables passers-by to see the scoreboard through the door.  Its one aspect that reflects the principle of community access that dates back to another era.
Another is the fact that the concession stands within are a reflection of local restaurants seen throughout the neighbourhood,  This turning away from exclusive deals with major multinational franchises is part of the campaign to root the club in its new locality.
The nearest equivalent in Ireland would be to relocate the Laois County football team to South Tipperary. Sport in the US is a franchise operation and Brooklyn was where the money was when the previous owners were unable to secure a stadium in New Jersey.
To a European eye the notion of switching allegiance to a brand new team is alien but it works in the States, just so long as you invest heavily enough and the team performs.
The Barclays Centre is so named after a corporate bank whose reputation has been battered through the recession but that just adds to the eclectic mix of local and global, hi tech and old style that makes the Nets a team whose story will be followed with interest this NBA season.  The fact that it is being spoken about with equable reverence and curiosity on Mashable as in Sports Illustrated is reflective of the central position which sport holds in cutting edge business.
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