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85-547: Meadowlands Arena (formerly Brendan Byrne Arena , Continental Airlines Arena and Izod Center ) is a closed indoor sports and concert venue located in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey , United States. Since closing, the state-owned facility has been used as a rehearsal stage by major concert-touring music stars and by NBCUniversal for television filming. The arena
170-710: A 1.2-mile (1.9 km), six-turn layout in an effort to improve competition. The race continued until 1991, and crowds continued to stay away. From 1988 to 1991, the race was part of the Marlboro Million, a cash prize to be awarded to any driver who won the Marlboro Grand Prix, the Marlboro 500 , and the Marlboro Challenge All-Star event in the same year. The prize was never won. In 1992, race officials announced plans to move
255-463: A 10-night sold-out run in 1984 , an 11-night run in 1992 and a 15-night sold-out run in 1999 . This last feat was commemorated by a large banner hanging from the rafters, next to the banners representing the achievements of the resident sports teams. Springsteen would return to the arena for concerts in 2002 , 2004 , 2005 , 2007 , 2009 , and 2012 . Additionally, a number of tracks from Springsteen's 1986 live album Live/1975-85 were recorded at
340-434: A 38,000 square feet (3,500 m ), 18-vendor food court with a kosher food hall. The other 55 percent of the space contains entertainment facilities. The amusement facilities include or will include an indoor NHL -sized ice rink, an indoor theme park called Nickelodeon Universe , an indoor water park called DreamWorks Water Park , and a concert/performing arts venue with 2,400 to 3,000 seats. Other attractions include
425-587: A 3–3 tie. The New York Jets moved to Giants Stadium on September 6, 1984, after playing at Shea Stadium for nearly 20 years. In their first game at the stadium on that day, the Jets lost 23–17 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in front of 70,564 fans. In 2007, construction began on a mega-mall, named Meadowlands Xanadu. Work came to a halt in 2009, and Triple Five , owners of the Mall of America , took over
510-536: A capacity crowd of 42,133 for its initial date. Giants Stadium opened on October 10, 1976, as 76,042 fans watched the New York Giants lose to the Dallas Cowboys , 24–14. By 1977, plans were in the works to expand the complex. A new arena was to be built on the opposite side of Route 20 from the stadium and racetrack, connected by vehicle ramps and a pedestrian bridge. Brendan Byrne Arena, named for
595-628: A grand total of 11 All-Stars. Moreover, eight players from this draft class have been named to at least one All-NBA Team , the most among any draft. The draft class also produced three players who have been named to the NBA's all-defensive first team: Bryant, Marcus Camby , and Wallace. Camby won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2007, while Wallace earned the same award in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006. Five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher
680-496: A grand total of 36 players that would qualify as underclassmen. That being said, the following college basketball players successfully applied for early draft entrance. This year marked the second year in a row where high school players would be allowed entry into the NBA directly from high school after previously not allowing high schoolers to enter the NBA draft directly since 1975 . The following high school players successfully applied for early draft entrance. This year marked
765-868: A home crowd, winning Game 4 of the 1995 Finals over the Detroit Red Wings and Game 7 of the 2003 Finals over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim ; the Devils' other Stanley Cup win took place in Game 6 of the 2000 Finals over the Dallas Stars at Dallas' Reunion Arena . The Devils lost in the 2001 Finals in seven games to the Colorado Avalanche . The arena also was host to the Los Angeles Lakers winning an NBA Championship by sweeping
850-523: A live album and DVD, entitled Listener Supported . Kiss performed on June 27, 2000, during their Kiss Farewell Tour , which was filmed and is available on their Kissology Volume Three: 1992–2000 box set. Cher performed two shows during her, then, Farewell Tour on July 2, 2002, and April 13, 2005. On her DVD Cher: Live at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas , there is a video of her rehearsing at
935-464: A sold-out concert at Meadowlands Arena on April 9, 1994. It is the biggest Greek concert ever held outside of Greece. It was a personal initiative of George Dalaras in order to support Cyprus and to promote the Cyprus problem . Among others, Al Di Meola had taken part in the concert. The Dave Matthews Band 's performance on September 11, 1999, was recorded for a PBS special and subsequently released as
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#17327829407681020-535: A sports venue in its history. The arena was the home of the NBA's New Jersey Nets basketball franchise from 1981 to 2010. It was the home arena for the NHL's New Jersey Devils hockey franchise from 1982 to 2007 and the NCAA's Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball team from 1982 to 2007 as well as continuing to play host to various regular season men's college basketball. The last game being played on December 18, 2014, between
1105-446: A tribute to late drummer/singer Levon Helm of The Band . The show featured a wide variety of musicians who had worked with Helm, as well as musicians who were influenced by him. Proceeds from the show went towards keeping Helm's Woodstock barn in his family's control, as well as continuing his Midnight Ramble concert series in the barn. The show's musical directors were Don Was and Levon Helm collaborator Larry Campbell . The concert
1190-569: Is also the home of a twice-weekly flea market , which is canceled when the parking spaces are needed for stadium events. The NJSEA hires in-house security and emergency medical services staff to serve the venues at the Sports Complex, including MetLife Stadium. Law enforcement is primarily provided by the New Jersey State Police Sports Complex Unit. MetLife Stadium opened in 2010, following
1275-829: Is located on New Jersey Route 120 across the highway from MetLife Stadium and the Meadowlands Racetrack , next to the American Dream shopping and entertainment complex. The arena, which opened in 1981, was originally built to accommodate the New Jersey Nets basketball team. In 1982, the Colorado Rockies hockey team joined the Nets in the new building and became known as the New Jersey Devils . The Nets and Devils were joined by
1360-704: Is owned and operated by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA). It is named for the New Jersey Meadowlands , upon which it was built. The complex currently consists of MetLife Stadium , which is home to the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League ; the Meadowlands Racetrack , a famous harness racing circuit (which is home of the annual Hambletonian Stakes ); and
1445-502: Is the site of the Hambletonian , the most prestigious event in standardbred racing. The track is equipped to race at night, when most of its races are. In the middle of the track is a lake, intended to resemble the state of New Jersey. The Meadowlands Racetrack is also one of the leading simulcast facilities in the world in terms of total handle. The Quest Diagnostics Training Center is the main headquarters and practice facility of
1530-570: The 2010–11 NBA season . The deal also included a partnership with the Prudential Center hosting sporting events (Devils, Nets, Seton Hall), and the Izod Center handling concerts and family shows. The two arenas proposed a joint venture, Jersey Presents LLC, to wrestle leverage from promoters who had been playing the two against each other. "You can’t have two venues that close together fighting each other and have that be productive for
1615-706: The 2026 FIFA World Cup . Meadowlands Arena (formerly Brendan Byrne Arena, Continental Airlines Arena and IZOD Center) was a multi-purpose indoor arena. Opened in 1981, it was home to the New Jersey Nets NBA team until 2010, the Seton Hall University men's basketball team until 2007 and to the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League until 2007. The Devils and the Seton Hall men's basketball team moved to
1700-531: The Big SNOW American Dream indoor ski slope, two miniature 18-hole golf courses, a CMX Cine’Bistro dine-in luxury movie theater, a family entertainment center, a bowling alley, a Legoland Discovery Center , a Sea Life Aquarium , an indoor rock climbing facility, and a Mirror Maze attraction. It also includes a kosher food court , with kosher options ranging from ice cream to pizza to fast food chicken. On September 14, 2022,
1785-525: The Colorado Rockies and announced that he would be relocating the team to New Jersey. Unfortunately for Imperatore, the Rockies would be sold twice more before that finally became a reality. The newly renamed, John McMullen -owned New Jersey Devils played their first game at the arena on October 5, 1982, against the Pittsburgh Penguins , with the game ending in a 3–3 tie. Don Lever scored
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#17327829407681870-534: The Duke Blue Devils and UConn Huskies . Izod Center used two separate floors for NBA and NCAA basketball—a standard hardwood floor for Nets and the arena's old parquet floor for regular season college basketball (since 2007, the NCAA has used a uniform floor for regional sites). College basketball first arrived at the arena with the opening rounds of the 1984 NCAA basketball tournament. Seton Hall moved its Big East Conference men's basketball games to
1955-843: The Garden State Parkway further west, and the Lincoln Tunnel further east, while the Turnpike/I-95 give access to and from the George Washington Bridge northwards, and Newark Airport southwards. In 1983, a Formula One auto race was planned for the New York City area. A temporary street circuit at the Meadowlands Sports Complex was one of the finalists for the location. A course at Flushing Meadows Park , in
2040-626: The Hudson–Bergen Light Rail line to the MetLife Sports Complex. Despite the opening of American Dream in 2019, the rail line is currently not being used daily. The Meadowlands Sports Complex is primarily surrounded by four main highways: New Jersey Route 3 to the south, Route 17 to the west, Route 120 (also called Paterson Plank Road ) to the north, and the New Jersey Turnpike ( Interstate 95 ) to
2125-684: The NBA draft lottery , but since they were an expansion team along with the Toronto Raptors , they were not allowed to select first in this draft. The team with the second-highest probability, the Philadelphia 76ers , won the lottery and obtained the first selection. The Toronto Raptors and the Vancouver Grizzlies were second and third, respectively. The Raptors won the first overall pick in 1996, but they had to give that up due to
2210-846: The New Jersey Red Dogs / Gladiators of the Arena Football League . Two different National Lacrosse League teams have played at the arena—the New Jersey Saints from 1987 to 1988, and the New Jersey Storm from 2002 to 2003. The New York Cosmos also used the arena to host indoor matches, and the last NASL indoor game was played at the arena on April 11, 1984 – the Cosmos lost to the San Diego Sockers , 7–3, in front of 4,717 fans, giving
2295-643: The New York Giants . It was known as the Timex Performance Center, renamed in July 2013 when the Giants and Quest Diagnostics announced a new partnership after the four-year partnership between the Giants and Timex ended. The facility, on the westernmost portion of the Meadowlands Sports Complex grounds, opened in 2010 and replaced the old Giants' practice fields and headquarters, adjacent to Giants Stadium. The Giants annually host Training Camp at
2380-595: The New York Knicks in their inaugural home game. In 1982, the arena hosted the NBA All-Star Game . Then, it hosted the 1996 NBA draft . Another motivation for building an arena in the Meadowlands was to potentially lure a National Hockey League team to New Jersey. Governor Byrne was a member of an ownership group that was looking to do so, and in 1978 businessman Arthur Imperatore purchased
2465-786: The Prudential Center in Newark . The renamed Brooklyn Nets currently play in the Barclays Center . It closed early in April 2015. The Meadowlands Racetrack is a horse racing track that hosts both thoroughbred racing and harness racing . It is known popularly in the region as "The Big M". Opened in the mid–1970s, the Meadowlands Racetrack held its first harness race on September 1, 1976 while thoroughbred racing commenced on September 6, 1977. The Racetrack
2550-799: The Quest Diagnostics Training Center , which is the Giants' practice facility. The complex is also home to the American Dream retail and entertainment venue, which was home to the Metropolitan Riveters of the Premier Hockey Federation , and the now-closed Meadowlands Arena , which served as a home for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League , Seton Hall University 's men's basketball team , and
2635-733: The Seton Hall Pirates men's collegiate basketball program in 1985. In 2007, the Prudential Center opened in nearby Newark as the new Devils home arena. Seton Hall, whose campus in South Orange is closer to Newark than East Rutherford, likewise moved its basketball games there. The Nets remained at the Meadowlands for three more seasons before moving to Newark, where they played two seasons before departing New Jersey for Barclays Center in Brooklyn . The men's basketball team from Fordham University played four home games during
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2720-472: The University of Massachusetts , and Mississippi State University . The arena was a popular site for concerts, having been designed with acoustics in mind and requiring a smaller facility fee for artists than competing venues, such as Madison Square Garden . Bruce Springsteen remains one of the most popular concert acts; his appearances have included a six-night run to open the arena in July 1981 ,
2805-768: The final ; it will be the second time FIFA World Cup matches are played at the Meadowlands. Giants Stadium hosted matches during the 1994 FIFA World Cup . In addition to the three venues, the complex also hosts events in the MetLife Stadium parking lot. State Fair Meadowlands (formerly called the Meadowlands Fair, and not affiliated with the New Jersey State Fair held annually in Sussex County ) began in 1986 and has been operated by State Fair of Belleville since 2003. The parking lot
2890-500: The 1996 NBA Draft but later played in the NBA. This year would officially see a steep climb up of the number of underclassmen declaring their entry into the NBA. While previous years starting in 1971 would see a relatively small amount of college underclassmen alongside overseas and even high school players not only officially declare their entry to the draft, but stick with it, this year saw an official total of 42 different players that qualified as underclassmen see an initial entry into
2975-507: The 2010–11 season at the arena. Following the departure of all three of its major tenants, the arena continued to host occasional non-sporting events, such as touring shows and concerts, and other local events. The state-owned facility reported losses for 2013, and was projected to have $ 8.5 million in losses for 2015. On January 15, 2015, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) voted to shut down Izod Center, and have Prudential Center acquire hosting rights to events scheduled for
3060-665: The Cosmos and the San Diego Sockers . This also happened to be the last indoor game played in the North American Soccer League , as the league folded in early 1985. It was one of the busiest arenas in North America in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, playing host to numerous championship and neutral games. The arena also hosted the NCAA Men's Final Four (basketball) in 1996 , which was won by the University of Kentucky , and included Syracuse University ,
3145-407: The Izod Center served primarily as a venue for traveling events, such as concerts, ice shows , and other occasional local events such as graduation ceremonies. New Jersey's government considered possible options for the arena, including selling or leasing it to another operator, or closing it entirely. Triple Five Group had attempted to negotiate taking over the arena so it could be incorporated into
3230-605: The Izod Center. Phish performed a concert on February 24, 2003, which featured legendary blues guitarist B.B. King for most of the first set. Simon & Garfunkel performed two consecutive shows during their Old Friends Reunion Tour, on December 7–8, 2003, with The Everly Brothers as their opening act. They performed "Leaves That Are Green" in place of "Song for the Asking", which had been on their setlist for other concerts on this tour, following an announcement that they had not played it live since 1967. The arena played host to
3315-769: The Metropolitan Riveters of the Premier Hockey Federation became tenants of The Rink at the American Dream for at least the next three years. New Jersey Transit operates the Meadowlands station at the complex, the terminus of the Meadowlands Rail Line . In preparation for the opening of the American Dream mall, the station opened for service on July 26, 2009. Studies are also underway about an extension of
3400-431: The NBA draft as proper college underclassmen, three high school players (including Kobe Bryant and Jermaine O'Neal ) entering the NBA draft as high school seniors, three proper international players (including the first two teammates from the same team) entering directly from overseas play, and one player named Priest Lauderdale previously leaving Central State University to play for the Peristeri B.C. in Greece for
3485-460: The NBA draft. However, six of these players (those being the Nigerian born Sunday Adebayo from the University of Arkansas , Carlos Knox from IUPUI , Terquin Mott from Coppin State University , Mark Sanford from the University of Washington , Jess Settles from the University of Iowa , and Kebu Stewart from Cal State Bakersfield ) would ultimately withdraw their initial entry into this year's NBA draft, leaving 29 players that declared for
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3570-415: The NJSEA $ 29 million over 12 years. As Continental Airlines Arena, it hosted the 1996 Final Four —the last Final Four to date that has been held in an arena specifically built for basketball. In September 2006, the Nets and the NJSEA announced an extension of their lease to keep the team in the Meadowlands until 2013, with a provision to leave as early as 2009 if the Brooklyn arena was completed. It
3655-399: The NJSEA voted to close Izod Center. Under a two-year, $ 2 million agreement with Devils Arena Entertainment LLC, most future events scheduled for Izod Center were moved to Prudential Center. While the arena was originally expected to be shut down by the end of January, its final event was a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus event on March 22, 2015. Under the terms of the agreement,
3740-448: The NJSEA was David A. "Sonny" Werblin , former president of the NFL's New York Jets . By year's end, Werblin had secured a deal for the New York Giants , who were then playing in Yankee Stadium in the Bronx , to move to the Meadowlands. Ground was broken on Giants Stadium and the Meadowlands Racetrack on November 19, 1972. To accommodate the new facility, access roads were improved. The New Jersey Turnpike , which had been suffering
3825-435: The Nets on June 12, 2002, and again the next year, when the Nets lost in six games to the San Antonio Spurs . Izod Center is the most recent of five venues to host the Stanley Cup Finals and NBA Finals at the same time; the other four are Boston Garden , Madison Square Garden in New York, The Spectrum in Philadelphia and Chicago Stadium . Game 3 of the 1983-84 NASL Indoor Finals was played there on April 11, 1984, between
3910-433: The New York City borough of Queens , was chosen, but the event was canceled before the first running. In July 1984, the CART IndyCar series held the first Meadowlands Grand Prix on a temporary circuit built in the Giants Stadium parking lot. The race was only moderately successful, and crowds were mediocre at best. In 1988, the course layout was moved to the streets surrounding Brendan Byrne Arena and redesigned to
3995-430: The Night Together . Queen performed in the arena on August 9, 1982, during their Hot Space Tour . This concert is infamous for Brian May 'accidentally' snapping a replica of his Red Special after he hurled it to his wall of Vox AC30s and the roadies missed catching it. The replica was made by John Birch and was notably seen in the music videos of We Will Rock You and Spread Your Wings . Iron Maiden performed
4080-456: The Slipnutz, a comedy musical trio who were featured on Conan, opened for the band. However, the Slipnutz were heavily booed by the crowd. The Red Hot Chili Peppers performed two consecutive shows during their Stadium Arcadium World Tour , on October 17 and 18, 2006, with The Mars Volta as their opening act. Footage from the shows and the arena were used in the music video for " Snow (Hey Oh) ". The Spice Girls performed during The Return of
4165-470: The Sockers a sweep of the best-of-five series. On February 12, 2011, the arena hosted Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva . In November 2011, the Izod Center was the host of the final round of the TicketCity Legends Classic . The UFC on Fox 3 event took place at the arena on May 5, 2012. Meadowlands Arena played host to the 1995 , 2000 , 2001 , and 2003 Stanley Cup Finals . The arena saw the Devils clinch two of their three Stanley Cup championships before
4250-418: The Spice Girls Tour on February 13, 2008. Prince & The New Power Generation kicked off their Welcome 2 American Tour, with two consecutive shows on December 15 and 17, 2010. They also performed two impromptu semi-private shows in the "Hospitality Room", where 50 fans attended the show on December 16 and 30 attended the show on December 18. The " Love for Levon " concert took place on October 3, 2012, as
4335-740: The arena during concerts in 1981 and 1984. In 2015, Springsteen's August 5, 1984, concert was officially released as a live album followed by his August 20, 1984 concert in 2018, his July 25, 1992 concert in 2019, and his July 9, 1981 concert in 2020. New Jersey natives Bon Jovi have played at the arena many times and sold out every show. The only other act to do that is Bruce Springsteen. The Rolling Stones performed three consecutive shows, during their 1981 North American Tour , on November 5–7, 1981, with Tina Turner , George Thorogood & The Destroyers and The J. Geils Band as their opening acts. The shows on November 5 and 6 were filmed and partially featured on their live-concert film, entitled Let's Spend
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#17327829407684420-554: The arena for the 1985–86 season. The arena hosted the NCAA Men's Final Four in 1996, the last traditional arena to do so to date. On eleven occasions (1986–1991, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2004, 2007) the arena hosted the semifinals and finals of the tournament's East Regional. Only Kansas City 's Municipal Auditorium , which hosted 13 regional finals from 1940 to 1952, has hosted more. It also hosted the 1982–1989 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and 1986 Atlantic Ten Conference men's basketball tournaments. On January 22, 1987, after New Jersey
4505-434: The arena for use as a rehearsal facility. Prudential Center president Hugh Weber noted that Coldplay had similarly done so prior to their tour stop at nearby MetLife Stadium , and that while Prudential Center has frequently seen similar bookings, there is a large backlog due to the venue's high traffic. The NJSEA and the Prudential Center will share the revenue generated by the rehearsals. The arena has primarily served as
4590-407: The arena over the next two years in a $ 2 million deal. Since closing, the vacant arena has been used as a rehearsal venue for large-scale touring concert productions as well as a sound stage for video and television productions. Since 2018, NBC has leased the venue to film prime-time drama series, including The Enemy Within and Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector . It is also home to
4675-425: The arena was the New Jersey Nets in 1981. A year later, the New Jersey Devils of the NHL and the Seton Hall University men's basketball team joined the Nets. The Nets played their first game at the arena on October 30, 1981, and lost to their cross-river rivals, the New York Knicks by a score of 103–99. The Devils played their first game on October 5, 1982, against the Pittsburgh Penguins . The game ended in
4760-415: The arena's exterior were also repainted red as the arena assumed a new color scheme. In 2009, Newark mayor Cory Booker and Devils owner Jeffrey Vanderbeek called for the closing of the Izod Center, because it was a competing venue to the Prudential Center for events, and a "drain on taxpayers." In October 2009, a deal was brokered for the Nets to play at the Prudential Center for two seasons, beginning in
4845-417: The beginning of the 2007–08 NHL season . Following the Devils' final season at the arena in 2007, Continental Airlines opted out of the naming rights agreement and the NJSEA signed an agreement with Izod for five years. The company paid $ 1.4 million per year for the first two years of the agreement; when the Nets left, it dropped to $ 750,000 per year for the balance of the five-year deal. The columns of
4930-416: The burden of increased traffic volumes near its northern terminus in Ridgefield Park , built a new alignment, the "western spur", with an exit, interchange 16W, leading directly to the sports complex as well as to Route 3 . Routes 3 and 20 (now 120 ) also received improvements. On September 1, 1976, the Meadowlands Racetrack became the first complex venue to open, featuring harness racing . The track drew
5015-421: The closing and demolition of the Giants' and the Jets' previous home, Giants Stadium . It is the home stadium for the New York Giants and New York Jets of the NFL and is one of two stadiums home to two NFL franchises ( SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California is the other). It was the home of the New York Guardians of the XFL , MetLife Stadium hosted Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014 and will host matches during
5100-445: The crime drama series The Equalizer , starring Queen Latifah , and the TV programs Tales of the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: Dead City . Construction on a new arena across Route 20 (now 120) from Giants Stadium and the Meadowlands Racetrack began in 1977, with the arena's initial purpose being to serve as the primary home for the Nets who had moved from Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York to New Jersey. While
5185-545: The east. The Turnpike interchanges with Route 3 near the south side of the complex, giving access from that point, and also has a direct southbound exit/northbound entrance at the north side. Route 120 starts at Route 3 near the southeast corner, runs straight through the complex, giving direct exits to certain parking lots east of MetLife Stadium, then turns west to connect back with Route 17, while also giving access from Washington Avenue ( CR 503 ). Routes 3 and 17 also connect to numerous local roads as well. Route 3 also connects to
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#17327829407685270-454: The end of the 2009 NFL season and demolition started immediately. In September 2010, MetLife Stadium , then known as New Meadowlands Stadium, opened for its first game. It was privately built and funded by the Jets and Giants. A commuter train line and a training center for the Giants also opened at the same time. MetLife bought the naming rights for the stadium and the entire complex in August 2011. Meadowlands Arena closed in April 2015 to
5355-566: The expansion agreement with the league. It is widely considered to be one of the deepest and most talented NBA drafts in history, with one-third of the first-round picks later becoming NBA All-Stars . The draft class produced three players who won a combined four NBA MVP awards ( Kobe Bryant , Allen Iverson , Steve Nash ), seven other drafted players who became All-Stars ( Shareef Abdur-Rahim , Ray Allen , Žydrūnas Ilgauskas , Stephon Marbury , Jermaine O'Neal , Peja Stojaković , Antoine Walker ), and one undrafted All-Star ( Ben Wallace ), for
5440-448: The facility in the summers, including practices open to the public with fan activities and legend player meet-and-greet opportunities. Parking for Training Camp is in Lot K. American Dream is a large mall and entertainment complex. Formerly known as Xanadu, the project resides within the Meadowlands Sports Complex adjacent to the Izod Center that will have over 450 stores. The first of four opening stages occurred on October 25, 2019, with
5525-452: The film Just Wright were filmed at the arena. Several episodes of The Walking Dead: Dead City were filmed in the arena, doubling as Madison Square Garden . The center previously hosted a Continental Airlines ticketing office. The Winner's Club was a luxury bar and restaurant inside the arena that hosted parties and group events. The Winner's Club is now used by the New Jersey State Police . The Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey
5610-443: The final show of the politically motivated Vote for Change Tour on October 13, 2004, featuring performances by Patti Scialfa , Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band , with special guest John Fogerty and unannounced guest Eddie Vedder . Slipknot performed at the arena on March 6, 2005. The preshow of the concert was featured in a segment on the March 9, 2005, episode of Late Night With Conan O'Brien , where
5695-449: The first goal in the arena, which was the Devils' very first goal. In 1984, the arena hosted the NHL All-Star Game . The following year, the Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball team began playing at the arena. On January 4, 1996, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) announced a naming rights deal with Continental Airlines under which the airline, with a hub at nearby Newark Liberty International Airport , would pay
5780-885: The first show on their The Beast on the Road Tour on October 22, 1982, and on their Somewhere Back in Time World Tour on March 14, 2008. Their performance of "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" was featured in the concert documentary Flight 666 .The Grateful Dead played 16 times from 1983 through 1989, and recorded Road Trips Volume 4 Number 2 , on March 31–April 1, 1988 and Nightfall of Diamonds , on October 16, 1989. Rush performed during their Power Windows Tour on March 31 and April 1, 1986. The shows were partially featured on their concert album, entitled A Show of Hands . Pink Floyd performed three concerts on October 10, 11 and 12, 1987, as part of their A Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour . Michael Jackson performed three sold-out shows during his Bad World Tour on October 3, 4 and 5, 1988, in front of 61,061 people. George Dalaras performed
5865-434: The nearby American Dream Meadowlands complex, but the deal fell through. The arena reported losses for 2013, also facing competition from Barclays Center in landing major concerts, and it was estimated that the arena would lose $ 8.5 million over the course of 2015. Even with its use during Super Bowl XLVIII , Izod Center reported a $ 45,800 loss from the event. On January 15, 2015, as urged by state governor Chris Christie ,
5950-417: The operators of Prudential Center were held responsible for staffing and logistics for shows held after January 31 but was entitled to receive the profits from such events. On July 14, 2016, The Record reported that Devils Arena Entertainment had yet to pay the first $ 500,000 installment of its $ 2 million agreement with the NJSEA. On August 11, 2016, the NJSEA announced that it would allow musicians to book
6035-459: The other stages opening on a staggered schedule on October 1, 2020. Only 45 percent of American Dream's space is devoted to retail locations. The stores will include six anchor retail tenants with more than 50,000 square feet (4,600 m ) each, 12 major retailers with 20,000 to 50,000 square feet (1,900 to 4,600 m ) each, and 339 smaller shops of up to 20,000 square feet (1,900 m ). It will include more than 100 eateries, as well as
6120-483: The project in 2011. The construction was not complete until 2019. The New Jersey Devils and Seton Hall Pirates left the complex when the Prudential Center was finished in 2007, followed by the New Jersey Nets, who moved there in 2010 to go to Prudential Center, then Brooklyn two years later, leaving the Izod Center devoid of a main tenant but free to host more concerts and events. Giants Stadium closed in at
6205-564: The public after suffering the loss of its major tenants and economic losses from other events. Since then, the arena has been used for concert rehearsals and private video productions. The former arena box offices are used as a station for the NJSEA EMS and the former Winner's Club lounge restaurant is the quarters for the New Jersey State Police . MetLife Stadium will host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup , including
6290-473: The race to Manhattan , using a street course at the World Trade Center . Within a few months, however, the race was canceled because of cost concerns. In the early 2000s, conceptual plans were drafted to build a NASCAR -style speedway at the Meadowlands Sports Complex as part of a revitalizing project. However, the plan was rejected and abandoned. 1996 NBA draft The 1996 NBA draft
6375-418: The sitting governor, opened July 2, 1981, with the first of six sold-out shows by musician Bruce Springsteen . The arena was renamed for its corporate sponsor, Continental Airlines (now part of United Airlines ), as Continental Airlines Arena, in early 1996, since the airline had a hub at nearby Newark Liberty International Airport . It was renamed again in 2007 for Izod as Izod Center. The first tenant in
6460-544: The state," said Jerry Zaro, economic czar to former New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine , who brokered the deal. The Nets' agreement to play the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons in Newark was finalized on February 18, 2010. On April 12, 2010, the Nets played their final game at the Izod Center, a 105–95 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats . Terrence Williams made the final basket in the arena. With the loss of its major tenants,
6545-684: The team the arena was built for, the now– Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association . In the mid-1960s, civic leaders in New Jersey began calling for a sports complex in the New Jersey Meadowlands that would be able to lure an NFL team from New York City. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority Law was passed by the New Jersey Legislature in 1971 and signed by then– Governor of New Jersey William T. Cahill . The first chairman of
6630-667: The venue was being built, the Nets played their home games in Piscataway at the Rutgers Athletic Center . The arena was designed by Grad Partnership and Dilullo, Clauss, Ostroki & Partners and was constructed at a cost of $ 85 million. Originally named after the sitting governor of New Jersey , Brendan Byrne , the arena opened July 2, 1981, with the first of six concerts by New Jersey rock musician Bruce Springsteen . The Nets moved into their new home on October 30, 1981, and lost to their cross-river rivals,
6715-594: Was also selected in the draft. The 76ers selected two future Major League Baseball players, Mark Hendrickson and Ryan Minor , with their second-round picks. Most experts rate it along with the 1984 NBA draft , 1992 NBA draft , and 2003 NBA draft as one of the best drafts in history. Sports Illustrated named it the second-best, behind the 1984 draft, which included a draft class of Hakeem Olajuwon , Michael Jordan , Charles Barkley , Alvin Robertson , and John Stockton . The following are undrafted players of
6800-456: Was commonly referred to as "cold and dull" in appearance, as well as being "cavernous". In a 2005 poll, USA Today rated it the worst arena in the NBA, with the distance of the inexpensive seats from the court, and the level of crowding in the concourse after the game cited as reasons. Meadowlands Sports Complex The Meadowlands Sports Complex is a sports complex located in East Rutherford , New Jersey , United States. The facility
6885-480: Was established in 1988 to honor athletes, teams, events, and contributors associated with the state of New Jersey . While there was no physical site or structure for the hall, the members were honored with plaques displayed throughout the arena. In 2021, plans were revealed to replace the Meadowlands Arena with a new convention center. The arena was frequently cited near the bottom of public polls. It
6970-870: Was hit with 20 inches (51 cm) of snow, only 334 fans attended the Devils' 7–5 victory over the Calgary Flames , a record for the lowest attendance for a game in modern NHL history. Other teams that have called the arena home include the New Jersey Rockets of the Major Indoor Soccer League , the New Jersey Rockin' Rollers of Roller Hockey International , the New Jersey XTreme of the National Indoor Football League , and
7055-486: Was released on CD/DVD on March 19, 2013. Fordham University 's men's basketball team used the Izod Center as an alternate home court for four games in the 2010–11 season. The average attendance for these games was only 1,799, which was approximately half of the capacity of Fordham's normal home, Rose Hill Gymnasium . American Idol held auditions at the Izod Center on September 22, 2011. It also held auditions prior to this in 2006 for its sixth season . Some scenes of
7140-589: Was reported at the time that the Nets' owner, Bruce Ratner was seeking to sell the Nets, thus thwarting any possible move to Brooklyn. On May 5, 2007, the Devils played their last game at the arena, losing 3–2 to the Ottawa Senators , eliminating them from the Eastern Conference semifinals 4–1. Scott Gomez scored the final goal in the building. The Devils subsequently relocated to the newly constructed Prudential Center in nearby Newark at
7225-404: Was the 50th draft in the National Basketball Association (NBA). It was held on June 26, 1996 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey . In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues. The Vancouver Grizzlies had the highest probability to win
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