New York Liberty announces plans for playing in New Jersey during Garden renovation

Rumors about the New York Liberty’s location for games during a three-year Madison Square Garden renovation began trickling out last month. Today the team made an official announcement about the move:

The New York Liberty announced today that the team will play the next three seasons at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey during the Madison Square Garden transformation. Madison Square Garden is currently undergoing a $775 – $850 million transformation that will turn “The World’s Most Famous Arena” into the world’s most state-of-the-art arena. The building will close for the next three summers for work on the transformation to be completed. The Liberty will be temporarily relocated to the Prudential Center during the 2011, 2012, and 2013 seasons. Prudential Center is a convenient 15 minutes away from The Garden by train.

“The Rock is the best possible location for the Liberty to play during the next three summers of the MSG transformation,” said Scott O’Neil, president, MSG Sports. “The venue will allow our fans and partners the opportunity to continue to support the team at an arena that is a short 15 minute train ride from The Garden. It isn’t just a coincidence that New Jersey is called the Garden State and we are fortunate to have a strong fan base there for the Knicks, Rangers and Liberty.  We see this as an exciting opportunity to broaden the Liberty’s New York metropolitan presence.”

“The entire City of Newark is excited about the news that the WNBA’S New York Liberty will be playing its next three seasons at the state-of-the-art Prudential Center. From the WNBA to the NBA to the New Jersey Devils and the NFL Alumni Association, Newark, New Jersey is emerging as one of our country’s biggest sports towns. This is another slam dunk for the Brick City,” said Mayor Booker.

The interim relocation to Prudential Center will provide a homecoming for New Jersey native Essence Carson and her former Rutgers teammates Cappie Pondexter and Kia Vaughn. A rich history of women’s basketball in New Jersey, both at the high school and collegiate level, makes the State a fitting home to the WNBA. The Liberty will host numerous community events during the offseason in Newark and throughout New Jersey leading up to the 2011 WNBA season.

“We are excited to embrace the Newark community during our next three seasons at the Prudential Center,” said Carol Blazejowski, president & general manager, New York Liberty. “The Liberty will continue to provide a fun, affordable and interactive game day experience for our loyal and passionate fans as we compete for the WNBA Championship. We look forward to welcoming our great fans back to The Garden when the transformation is complete.” 

Added Jeff Vanderbeek, chairman and managing partner of the Prudential Center: “We are so pleased the New York Liberty will call the Prudential Center home for the next three seasons. To have the WNBA’s best known team add their name to the list of professional sports franchises now home at “the Rock” is great for our arena, Newark and New Jersey.  We look forward to showcasing our Major League City and welcoming WNBA fans to Newark.”

“The move for the Liberty to the Prudential Center will provide an amazing venue for the team’s dedicated and loyal fanbase, while providing an opportunity for new fans to experience the excitement of the WNBA,” said Donna Orender, WNBA President.

Located in the heart of downtown Newark, just blocks from Newark Penn Station, Prudential Center is accessible via New Jersey Transit, PATH, Newark Light Rail service and Amtrak and situated at the crossroads of six major highway access routes including the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, Route 280, Route 78, Routes 1 & 9 and Route 21.

Prudential Center boasts some of the most advanced technology in arena and in-game entertainment in the country. With over 700 flat screen TV’s located throughout the building, fans are guaranteed to not miss any of the action. An exterior marquee measuring over 52 feet high, as well as 100 50’ plasma screens, will make the Liberty in-game experience at Prudential Center first class.

Madison Square Garden is currently undergoing a comprehensive, top-to-bottom transformation that will provide a significantly enhanced experience for customers, athletes, entertainers, fans, suite holders and partners. It will provide the best of both worlds for customers, a new state-of-the-art building within the iconic exterior of The Garden, while also maintaining the famous ceiling. The lower level transformation is expected to be open by Fall 2011, the upper level transformation to follow by Fall 2012, and the addition of new signature bridges and a brand new 7^th Avenue entrance by Fall 2013.