The Countdown for Brooklyn Begins

Professional sports are returning to Brooklyn this month with the opening of the Barclays Center. The state-of-the-art arena will serve as the home of the recently rechristened Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association, bringing a slate of contemporary sporting events, concerts and family shows to the Big Apple's beloved borough.

That includes hometown investor Jay Z, who has a small equity stake in the project but will serve as the public face for the building, opening B...