It has taken nearly a decade to get them from New Jersey to Brooklyn, but on Monday the Nets wasted no time in unveiling their new merchandise with their new logo, designed by Brooklyn's own hip-hop mogul Jay-Z. Borough reporter Jeanine Ramirez filed the following report.
Nets player Brook Lopez helped usher in a new era Monday, becoming the first player to wear the new Brooklyn Nets logo.
"We're definitely proud to finally call Brooklyn our home," Lopez said.
The team is now called the Brooklyn Nets, and on Monday, the NBA publicly announced their addition to the league. The team rolled out its new logos and color scheme, all black and white.
It was Nets part owner Jay-Z who created the look. He wasn't at the press conference Monday but officials spoke about his creative process.
"It's timeless. It's classic. It has a simple look to it but it's somewhat dramatic," said Brooklyn Nets CEO Brett Yormak. "He came to me months and months ago about the old New York subway system and how black and white was so pronounced back then and how do we bring that into the fold."
The merchandise is being sold at Modell's citywide as well as the NBA store and on the Brooklyn Nets website. Eager fans picked up the gear and sported the urban designs as soon as the store opened.
"I got my T-shirt here and I got my hat and I'm going to wear it as soon as I get out of this place."
"It's just classic. It's not gaudy. It's just real," said another fan.
"I'm a Brooklyn Nets fan. I've been a fan since Jason Kidd been there, so I'm happy to see they're in Brooklyn right now."
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz was also eager, as he has dreamed of a professional sports team in the borough since the Dodgers left for Los Angeles.
"We deserve it. It's about time, it's about time. Brooklyn is America's urban center," said Markowitz.
In addition to launching a line of merchandise, the Brooklyn Nets also kicked off a community week around the borough with readings, park clean-ups and basketball clinics.
The first Monday event took place across from the Barclays Center in Prospect Heights, with shooting contests, T-shirts and general admission ticket sales.
"Our goal is to do community outreach and get people to think of us in a very positive way," said Yormak.
They are also trying to build the buzz, as the Barclays Center is set to open in September.