Jay Z's Role With The Brooklyn Nets

According to a new report by the New York Times, Jay-Z has been using his role as minority owner of the Brooklyn Nets to inject his brands into the NBA franchises's overall vision. While he may not own as much of the team as some of his partners, Jay has wisely made his mark by adding a 40/40 Club and Rocawear store to the team's Barclays Stadium, and making sure all VIP suites with his "Ace of Spades" champagne.


"As much as his partners...are getting out of him, Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, is benefiting handsomely, too, beginning with free use of one of 11 exclusive 'Vault' suites, for which paying customers are charged $550,000 a year," say the NYT. "Suite owners will have access to a champagne bar serving Armand de Brignac, an expensive bubbly that Mr. Carter promotes and in which he holds a financial interest...the arena will contain a 40/40 Club, an iteration of his sports-bar-style nightclub chain. There will be a Rocawear store, selling his clothing line, on the arena’s exterior. Even the advertising agency used by the Nets, Translation, is half-owned by Mr. Carter."

“He is [the face of the team],” said the stadium's developer Bruce Ratner. “He is us. He is how people are going to see that place.”

“[Players are] going to take the phone call now [from the Nets]," added NBA agent Aaron Goodwin. "They’re going to take the flight in. They’re going to listen. In years past, the Nets wouldn’t have gotten that. But now they’re in the game [because of Jay-Z].”