Dig At The Knicks? Nets Exec Says 'We Don't Pursue Celebrities To Attend'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Was this a dig at the Knicks?
It could certainly be construed that way.
Madison Square Garden is well-known for its celebrity row, in which megastars sit in the first row during Knicks games.
Victor Cruz, Tracy Morgan, Ben Stiller and Whoopi Goldberg are often seen sitting courtside. Chris Rock, Woody Allen, Howard Stern, Matt Harvey, Steve Schirripa and Kate Upton also love to attend games at MSG.
And then, of course, there is the biggest celebrity fan of them all -- Spike Lee.
But what about celebrities at Nets games? In its third year of existence, is Barclays Center attracting famous athletes, models and stars of the silver screen?
"We don't pursue celebrities to attend Nets games," Barry Baum, the team's chief communications officer at Barclays Center, told the New York Post. "It's not our style. Celebrities that do come to Nets games pay for their seats. Whether you're in the front row or last row, we treat everybody like a celebrity. We love when they come. But we won't actively pursue them."
It's not like celebrities are completely ignoring Brooklyn.
Baum told the newspaper that Rock, singer Rihanna, Yankees manager Joe Girardi and soccer star David Beckham have attended Nets games this season. Paul McCartney has also been at the arena for a game this season, and Jerry Seinfeld and Michael Strahan caught a game on Atlantic Avenue last season.
"We're flattered celebrities wear our merchandise," Baum told the New York Post.
The Nets and Knicks have split their season series thus far with one win apiece. The rivals will meet again twice more in 2014.
Heading into Sunday's games, the Knicks are 16-27 (tied for 10th in the Eastern Conference) and the Nets are 19-22 (seventh in the Eastern Conference).
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