For first Nets game with fans, arena entrance on Dean Street, lots of protocols--and more people paid to be there than paying

Photos taken by a neighbor for AY/PP Report

So, for the first time since the pandemic closed the building to fans, the Brooklyn Nets welcomed 300 fans last night to the Barclays Center--a "soft opening," given that they'll be at the allowed 10%, or 1,773 after the All-Star Break--and no major snags were reported. (The Nets extended their winning streak to seven games.)

Fans used the Dean Street entrance exclusively, with an entrance tent to offer rapid COVID-19 tests and by necessity, commandeering some of the public sidewalk for those waiting and for TV interviews. 

Presumably a larger crowd will require an even larger tent over the arena plaza--and warmer weather. The plaza last night was blocked off with fencing, while arena staffers directed game visitors around the corner, as shown in the photo at right.

 

The Daily News's Dennis Young wrote What it was like for Nets fans in their first game back at Barclays, noting that the Nets didn't disclose ticket prices--though after the All-Star break they'll start at $150--but one fan paid $12,000 for a 19-game package.

The @BrooklynNets are welcoming back 300 fans for the final 3 home games @barclayscenter before the All-Star break (plan to ramp up to 1800 after). 10 of these luxury living rooms are positioned around the lower seating bowl. pic.twitter.com/MEgOwTpG00

— Bret McCormick (@Bretjust1T) February 23, 2021

Young counted about 120 fans sitting in the stands and courtside--in those new seating arrangements--with the rest in suites, and noted that "people who were paid to be there still easily outnumbered people who were paying to be there," with pumped-in crowd noise and drummers drowning out the latter.

As shown at the right, the tent took most of that Dean Street frontage.

AY down the memory hole

From the Daily News:

Most fans who spoke to the Daily News were happy with their experience. Michelle Gall, 43, was honored by the franchise during the game for her work with the program Digital Girl Inc.  

“It was so much fun, music, people, yes, all of that,” Gall said. “It seemed like the players were happy to have us back.” Gall is a Brooklyn native and Bed-Stuy resident. “I grew up here when this was nothing but grass,” she said of the area around Barclays, where construction began in 2010. “Every time I walk by here I can’t believe this is what Brooklyn has come to, from what it used to be.”

Hm, it was never "nothing but grass"--try buildings, public streets, some empty lots, and a below-grade railyard--though there was grass along the railyard, and still is. But Atlantic Yards goes down the memory hole.

As the New York Post put it:

Many of the socially distanced seats come with free food and non-alcoholic beverages to be served by staffers wearing protective gear. This includes new group-seating areas positioned on platforms featuring couches, tables and other accessories set up to resemble a luxury living room — all while surrounded with plexiglass, arena officials said.

NY 1 quoted arena/team CEO John Abbamondi regarding new group seating areas surrounded by plexiglass:

"We realized, with reduced capacity in a very large building, it gave us the opportunity to create new seating products that we normally wouldn’t have if we had a full building and so we have been referring to these as our living rooms,” added Abbamondi.
Concessions stands will be closed, but food can be ordered from seats. It will be packaged and delivered by arena staff.