In a push that's more than just net gains on the basketball court, BSE Global, the parent company for the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty, is set to open a new youth basketball training complex opposite the Barclays Center. The site, previously home to a Modell’s Sporting Goods store, is scheduled for transformation into an 18,600-square-foot center with a variety of youth programs.
According to a statement reported by Gothamist, the center will provide after-school programs, training camps, and clinics complete with a homework area, set to open this fall. Details on the fee structure were not immediate, but the facility is designed to complement Brooklyn Basketball's current community programs, including partnerships that span over 200 city schools.
The program aims to serve as a "community-first basketball experience," with provisions for kids ranging from 6 to 10 years old and inclusive all-girls training on Wednesdays. Sandy Brondello, head coach of the New York Liberty, highlighted the impact of the new center, telling Gothamist, "The Brooklyn Basketball Training Center is a game-changer, not just for basketball, but for the entire Brooklyn community."
Being aggressive CEO Sam Zussman under BSE Global's leadership, the move is part of a strategy to cultivate a local fanbase, young as they might be, termed "generational fandom.” Plans for the new facility include two full courts, a half court, and a "shooting lab" among other amenities. With the Nets looking to lock down local loyalties, the initiative is seen as more than a hobby hook but as a genuine community asset. "This initiative is about more than just basketball—it's about creating a safe, inclusive space where young people can learn, grow and connect," Marissa Shorenstein, Chief External Affairs Officer at BSE Global, told NetsDaily.
Despite the excitement around the new facility's launch in the fall, no exact date was provided, coinciding with the Nets' season start and the Liberty's potential WNBA playoffs run. Additional details regarding to the cost of the facility and program fees remain undisclosed. The announcement comes on the heels of another ambitious project, an $80 million training complex for the New York Liberty in Greenpoint announced earlier this spring.
