L.I. Nets to offer family experience

Stephen Romano

Basketball is back on Long Island — and in a family-friendly way.

The Long Island Nets,  the NBA Developmental League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets,  will begin playing at the newly renovated Nassau Veterans Coliseum next season, and will feature many family- and child-friendly experiences for fans.

“While we are moving to Long Island, we are delighted to have developed our fan base in Brooklyn and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to play at Barclays Center,” said Alton Byrd, vice president of business operations for the Long Island Nets. 

Season tickets went on sale on Jan. 31, with lower level non-premium season tickets starting at $14 per ticket and upper level season tickets starting at $10.

“Our focus at the new Coliseum is to ensure that games are accessible, affordable and fun for families in a spectacular venue,” Byrd said.

Byrd said the Nets plan to focus on “having fans closer to the action,” with special fan experiences, high-five lines and opportunities for children to shoot free throws after the game and meet players.

“There’s a consistent effort to have interactivity with fans throughout the arena — before, during and after the game,” Byrd said.

Developmental League games are geared more toward families, especially children, Byrd said, and the Nets “like the idea of having kids being more of a part of the game-day experience than the grown-ups.”

Preparation for the 2017-18 season has begun and will continue with the launch of a Nets’ children’s club and tryouts for a children’s dance team in the spring and summer.

“We used to call it the offseason, but now it’s the season,” Byrd said.

He said the organization is also looking at the idea of a fan festival and Long Island basketball camps — two ways to get younger fans involved.

Although the game-day experience is aimed at children, there will be  amenities for adults, too, including food and drink options from around Long Island, opportunities for small businesses to sit at premium court-side tables and all-access premium memberships.

Byrd said the Nets are considering hosting a business-networking series for small businesses and people to connect.

“No matter how good or bad the team will be, one thing we want to emphasize … and give to the Long Island community is fun,” Byrd said.

The Nets’ record is 13-20, which is good for fourth place in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference, but Byrd said the team is developing players for the NBA.

“People will come to our games because our players are NBA players who are waiting for the right chance and opportunity,” he said. “We’re an NBA franchise who works closely with the Brooklyn Nets and develops players.”

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