BRING THE NETS HOME Bring a Brooklyn Nets NBA Game Back to Nassau Coliseum
The Issue
BRING THE NETS HOME
Bring a Brooklyn Nets NBA Game Back to Nassau Coliseum
To the Brooklyn Nets, BSE Global, the National Basketball Association, Nassau County, and the Long Island community:
We are asking the Brooklyn Nets to bring an official NBA game back to Long Island at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in recognition of one of the most important chapters in Nets basketball history.
Our immediate request is simple:
Host an annual Brooklyn Nets Long Island Homecoming Game, beginning with a preseason or exhibition game at Nassau Coliseum, with the possibility of a future regular-season game.
This is not a request to erase Brooklyn from the Nets’ identity.
It is a request to reconnect the franchise with the Long Island community that helped build its history.
THE NETS HAVE DEEP ROOTS ON LONG ISLAND
Before Barclays Center, before Brooklyn and before the modern era of the franchise, the Nets built some of their greatest history on Long Island.
The franchise became the New York Nets in 1968 and later made Nassau Coliseum its home.
From 1972 through 1977, Nassau Coliseum was home to the New York Nets.
It was on Long Island that Julius “Dr. J” Erving became the face of one of basketball’s most exciting teams.
It was on Long Island that the Nets won the 1974 ABA Championship.
And it was on Long Island that they won another ABA Championship in 1976 before entering the NBA.
Those championships remain the only league championships in Nets franchise history.
Long Island is therefore not simply another potential market for the Nets.
Long Island is part of the foundation of the franchise.
THE CONNECTION STILL EXISTS TODAY
The Nets organization continues to maintain a presence on Long Island through the Long Island Nets, the Brooklyn Nets’ NBA G League affiliate.
The Long Island Nets play games at Nassau Coliseum, continuing the relationship between the Nets name, Long Island basketball and the Coliseum.
But we believe there is an opportunity to take that relationship one step further.
We want today’s generation of Long Islanders to experience an actual NBA Nets game in the building where so much of the franchise’s history was created.
OUR PROPOSAL
We are asking the Brooklyn Nets and BSE Global to establish a:
NETS LONG ISLAND HOMECOMING GAME
The event could begin as an annual NBA preseason game at Nassau Coliseum.
The Homecoming Game could celebrate both the history and future of Nets basketball through:
An official Brooklyn Nets NBA preseason or exhibition game at Nassau Coliseum.
Recognition of the 1974 and 1976 championship teams.
Appearances from Nets alumni and figures from different generations of the franchise.
Recognition of Julius Erving and the great players who represented the New York Nets on Long Island.
Long Island youth basketball programs participating in game-day activities.
Opportunities for Nassau and Suffolk County schools and community organizations.
Long Island small-business participation and sponsorship opportunities.
Special historical displays celebrating the New York Nets and Nassau Coliseum era.
A special Long Island-inspired court presentation, merchandise collection or heritage uniform concept developed through the appropriate Nets, NBA and Nike approval process.
Continued involvement from the Long Island Nets organization.
WHY NASSAU COLISEUM?
There are newer arenas in the New York metropolitan area.
But Nassau Coliseum represents something different.
History happened there.
The banners, championships, Dr. J era and New York Nets story are directly connected to that building and that location.
Bringing an NBA Nets game back to Nassau Coliseum would not simply be another neutral-site basketball game.
It would be a homecoming.
We also recognize that modern NBA operations require significant logistical, broadcasting, player, premium-seating and facility considerations.
If Nassau Coliseum cannot satisfy every NBA requirement for a particular event, we encourage the Nets to explore UBS Arena as an alternative Long Island location while preserving Nassau Coliseum as an important part of the surrounding heritage celebration.
The goal is bigger than one building.
The goal is bringing NBA Nets basketball back to Long Island.
WHY NOW?
A generation of basketball fans on Long Island has grown up without experiencing the NBA franchise that once called this community home.
At the same time, the Nets continue to recognize their New York Nets history through throwback uniforms, historical celebrations, archival content and their Long Island G League affiliate.
There is an opportunity to connect those pieces.
A Long Island Homecoming Game could honor longtime Nets supporters while introducing younger basketball fans to a history that began long before Barclays Center.
It could also allow the Nets organization to measure current demand for NBA basketball on Long Island.
Ticket sales, attendance, sponsorship participation, merchandise demand and fan engagement could provide real information about how strongly Long Island would support future Nets events.
THIS IS THE FIRST STEP — NOT THE LAST
We understand that moving an NBA franchise is a major business decision involving team ownership, the NBA, arena agreements and numerous other considerations.
That is why this campaign is beginning with something achievable.
One game.
Bring the Brooklyn Nets to Long Island.
Let Long Island show up.
Let the fans demonstrate the demand.
If the Homecoming Game succeeds, establish it annually.
If annual games succeed, explore additional Nets events and NBA games on Long Island.
And if the support continues to grow, allow the organization, community and NBA to have a serious long-term conversation about what role Long Island could once again play in the future of Nets basketball.
OUR REQUEST
We respectfully ask:
Brooklyn Nets / BSE Global
Commit to exploring an annual Long Island Homecoming Game.
National Basketball Association
Support discussions regarding an NBA preseason, exhibition or future regular-season Nets game on Long Island.
Nassau County and local officials
Support efforts to bring an NBA Nets event to Long Island and help evaluate the necessary infrastructure and logistics.
Long Island Nets
Help connect today’s Long Island basketball community with the history of the NBA franchise from which the organization was created.
Long Island residents, Nets fans and basketball fans throughout New York
Sign this petition and demonstrate that there is an audience ready to support NBA basketball on Long Island.
OUR FIRST GOAL
Bring a Brooklyn Nets NBA game to Long Island for the 2027–28 NBA season.
Preferably:
Brooklyn Nets Long Island Homecoming
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Long Island, New York
If necessary because of NBA facility requirements:
Brooklyn Nets Long Island Homecoming
UBS Arena
Long Island, New York
Either way:
Bring the Nets back to Long Island for one night and let Long Island prove what comes next.
SIGN IF YOU WOULD ATTEND
By signing this petition, you are saying:
I support bringing an official Brooklyn Nets NBA game back to Long Island.
If the Nets hosted a Long Island Homecoming Game, I would consider attending, supporting, sharing or participating in the event.
Long Island was part of where Nets history was made.
It’s time for a new generation to experience it.
BRING THE NETS HOME.
Long Island × Nets Basketball
1974. 1976. The history continues.
12
The Issue
BRING THE NETS HOME
Bring a Brooklyn Nets NBA Game Back to Nassau Coliseum
To the Brooklyn Nets, BSE Global, the National Basketball Association, Nassau County, and the Long Island community:
We are asking the Brooklyn Nets to bring an official NBA game back to Long Island at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in recognition of one of the most important chapters in Nets basketball history.
Our immediate request is simple:
Host an annual Brooklyn Nets Long Island Homecoming Game, beginning with a preseason or exhibition game at Nassau Coliseum, with the possibility of a future regular-season game.
This is not a request to erase Brooklyn from the Nets’ identity.
It is a request to reconnect the franchise with the Long Island community that helped build its history.
THE NETS HAVE DEEP ROOTS ON LONG ISLAND
Before Barclays Center, before Brooklyn and before the modern era of the franchise, the Nets built some of their greatest history on Long Island.
The franchise became the New York Nets in 1968 and later made Nassau Coliseum its home.
From 1972 through 1977, Nassau Coliseum was home to the New York Nets.
It was on Long Island that Julius “Dr. J” Erving became the face of one of basketball’s most exciting teams.
It was on Long Island that the Nets won the 1974 ABA Championship.
And it was on Long Island that they won another ABA Championship in 1976 before entering the NBA.
Those championships remain the only league championships in Nets franchise history.
Long Island is therefore not simply another potential market for the Nets.
Long Island is part of the foundation of the franchise.
THE CONNECTION STILL EXISTS TODAY
The Nets organization continues to maintain a presence on Long Island through the Long Island Nets, the Brooklyn Nets’ NBA G League affiliate.
The Long Island Nets play games at Nassau Coliseum, continuing the relationship between the Nets name, Long Island basketball and the Coliseum.
But we believe there is an opportunity to take that relationship one step further.
We want today’s generation of Long Islanders to experience an actual NBA Nets game in the building where so much of the franchise’s history was created.
OUR PROPOSAL
We are asking the Brooklyn Nets and BSE Global to establish a:
NETS LONG ISLAND HOMECOMING GAME
The event could begin as an annual NBA preseason game at Nassau Coliseum.
The Homecoming Game could celebrate both the history and future of Nets basketball through:
An official Brooklyn Nets NBA preseason or exhibition game at Nassau Coliseum.
Recognition of the 1974 and 1976 championship teams.
Appearances from Nets alumni and figures from different generations of the franchise.
Recognition of Julius Erving and the great players who represented the New York Nets on Long Island.
Long Island youth basketball programs participating in game-day activities.
Opportunities for Nassau and Suffolk County schools and community organizations.
Long Island small-business participation and sponsorship opportunities.
Special historical displays celebrating the New York Nets and Nassau Coliseum era.
A special Long Island-inspired court presentation, merchandise collection or heritage uniform concept developed through the appropriate Nets, NBA and Nike approval process.
Continued involvement from the Long Island Nets organization.
WHY NASSAU COLISEUM?
There are newer arenas in the New York metropolitan area.
But Nassau Coliseum represents something different.
History happened there.
The banners, championships, Dr. J era and New York Nets story are directly connected to that building and that location.
Bringing an NBA Nets game back to Nassau Coliseum would not simply be another neutral-site basketball game.
It would be a homecoming.
We also recognize that modern NBA operations require significant logistical, broadcasting, player, premium-seating and facility considerations.
If Nassau Coliseum cannot satisfy every NBA requirement for a particular event, we encourage the Nets to explore UBS Arena as an alternative Long Island location while preserving Nassau Coliseum as an important part of the surrounding heritage celebration.
The goal is bigger than one building.
The goal is bringing NBA Nets basketball back to Long Island.
WHY NOW?
A generation of basketball fans on Long Island has grown up without experiencing the NBA franchise that once called this community home.
At the same time, the Nets continue to recognize their New York Nets history through throwback uniforms, historical celebrations, archival content and their Long Island G League affiliate.
There is an opportunity to connect those pieces.
A Long Island Homecoming Game could honor longtime Nets supporters while introducing younger basketball fans to a history that began long before Barclays Center.
It could also allow the Nets organization to measure current demand for NBA basketball on Long Island.
Ticket sales, attendance, sponsorship participation, merchandise demand and fan engagement could provide real information about how strongly Long Island would support future Nets events.
THIS IS THE FIRST STEP — NOT THE LAST
We understand that moving an NBA franchise is a major business decision involving team ownership, the NBA, arena agreements and numerous other considerations.
That is why this campaign is beginning with something achievable.
One game.
Bring the Brooklyn Nets to Long Island.
Let Long Island show up.
Let the fans demonstrate the demand.
If the Homecoming Game succeeds, establish it annually.
If annual games succeed, explore additional Nets events and NBA games on Long Island.
And if the support continues to grow, allow the organization, community and NBA to have a serious long-term conversation about what role Long Island could once again play in the future of Nets basketball.
OUR REQUEST
We respectfully ask:
Brooklyn Nets / BSE Global
Commit to exploring an annual Long Island Homecoming Game.
National Basketball Association
Support discussions regarding an NBA preseason, exhibition or future regular-season Nets game on Long Island.
Nassau County and local officials
Support efforts to bring an NBA Nets event to Long Island and help evaluate the necessary infrastructure and logistics.
Long Island Nets
Help connect today’s Long Island basketball community with the history of the NBA franchise from which the organization was created.
Long Island residents, Nets fans and basketball fans throughout New York
Sign this petition and demonstrate that there is an audience ready to support NBA basketball on Long Island.
OUR FIRST GOAL
Bring a Brooklyn Nets NBA game to Long Island for the 2027–28 NBA season.
Preferably:
Brooklyn Nets Long Island Homecoming
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Long Island, New York
If necessary because of NBA facility requirements:
Brooklyn Nets Long Island Homecoming
UBS Arena
Long Island, New York
Either way:
Bring the Nets back to Long Island for one night and let Long Island prove what comes next.
SIGN IF YOU WOULD ATTEND
By signing this petition, you are saying:
I support bringing an official Brooklyn Nets NBA game back to Long Island.
If the Nets hosted a Long Island Homecoming Game, I would consider attending, supporting, sharing or participating in the event.
Long Island was part of where Nets history was made.
It’s time for a new generation to experience it.
BRING THE NETS HOME.
Long Island × Nets Basketball
1974. 1976. The history continues.
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Petition created on September 19, 2026