Saw my first concert there...Metallica black album tour. Saw AC/DC, Wu-tang & Rage Aginst the Machine ( where Zac got hurt mid concert) , and Pearl Jam. Also saw NJ win game 7 for The Stanley Cup in 2003. Tons of wrestling events also. Great building.
In 8th grade CYO basketball my team got to play a game on the Nets court during the afternoon before they had a night game. Remains one of the coolest days of my life up until now.
This arena was neat because it had it's own "mark" or unique trait of having a big screen up in the very far corner of the arena. Everytime WWE was there for a live TV taping, you could see it during matches.
@@soulfly3438 Whereas most are directly above the ring that you dont see on TV, Izod had it up all the way in the corner(nose bleeds), so you would see it almost the whole time during a match
I saw 2 outta the 3 Stanley cups the devils brought home in this place. I miss the outdoor tailgating( being able to have a hockey game with a bunch of kids and strangers) the tunnel that filled with let’s go devils chants, also sitting at the top of section 217.
There are many ways this Arena can be saved: 1. It could be bought by Triple Five and turn it into the American Dream Arena. They're sure to get expansion sports teams from there. 2. It could be bought by the WWE. Some of the biggest wrestling ratings have been surfaced as a result of hosting events in the Meadowlands. 3. It could be upgraded to the point where they turn it into a sports & convention center. Something the Meadowlands officials always wanted. Making it a great place to host the NFL & NBA Draft. Any way you look at it - There are options.
The other 2 are great ideas but we’re not getting a expansion team. We already have the Brooklyn nets and knicks we don’t need another ball team and no team will wanna play in the arena without a huge reno. We already have the rangers isles and devils, devils aren’t gonna move back for any reason and they barely draw any fans so the nhl isn’t looking here, I’m fact theve threatened on multiple occasions to move the devils away. The nhl also has a long list of cities waiting for a team, as does the nba. For the WWE there’s gonna need to be a large reno as well. The American dream mall has a ton of unused space they can put a convention center if needed that would prolly cost less to reno then the izod center would. With all of the sports and entertainment venues in the area I don’t see it happening, and I’ve never been there but as a huge devils fan it’s sad. That’s where we won our championships, but the world has moved on from it, there’s not much keeping it alive and instead of forcing it to stay, I think it might be time to put it to rest
@@jayson7136 I live 15minutes from the IZOD center, been there once but I agree that it's time to move on. Arenas of that size usually have a 30year lifespan, don't see it as a future for sports and even if that mall wants a convention center it's probably more cost effective to build from srcatch cause it's too run down. So I say give it the wrecking ball, and I won't shead tears over it cause that's the fate dozens of others built in that time have gone though.
@@acegarcia3719 I wasn’t around for the glory days of the devils and I think it would be cool to go inside once but I’m ok with it getting demolished, let the past stay in the past
I always loved this arena, and have fond memories of the sporting events and concerts I saw there. I couldn't understand why it was suddenly deemed unfit and outdated. Sadly, however, it doesn't seem tenable to leave it standing. As the narrator points out, between the fact that the Nets and Devils both left, and the abundance of nearby concert venues, the proverbial writing is on the wall.
Well the arena was getting outdated, with no bells & whistles at all. It was time for a new era, and the Meadowlands was never highly regarded at all for that matter too.
Probably the same reason as the Charlotte Colliseum. It was built right before a huge jump in stadium technology, and its just cheaper long term to build a new arena thats made for the new technology than to upkeep an old one.
@@PurpleCrownVic Same was also the case with the Orlando, and Miami Arena(s), which were okay for the times, but weren't going to be sustainable long term. That along with other late 80's venues in the Arco (later Sleep Train) Arena, Bradley Center, and the Palace of Auburn Hills, which were all initially state of the art and had good runs, but inevitably become outdated as time went on as well. Same could also be said when Seattle first rebuilt the Coliseum, and converted it into the Key Arena in 95, which wasn't sustainable, and had to eventually be redone in order to accommodate major league sports once more in the end too.
@@freakyfornash It was highly regarded for concerts. The acoustics were great especially compared to The Garden across the river. In the '80s and '90s most acts skipped The Garden in favor of the Meadowlands because it was that much better.
Missed New Jersey Rockets as their 2nd tenant. They played at the arena in 81/82 season. NJ Rockets were a Major Indoor Soccer league team. Indoor Soccer was very popular in the 1980's . Place was sold out opening night. I was there and the place was electric. I believe they were playing New York Arrows who had stars Steve Zungal and goalie Shepp Messing. Great times !
I had a front row seat for one Rockets' game there and batted the ball back into the playing surface.They played on for a few seconds before the officials realized what had happened.
Went here all the time for WWE events, I live only 10 minutes from it.. way better than the drive down to Prudential in Newark. Wish it could come back some day!
@@rushrush1209 Definitely. Depending on where you lived, MSG was where everyone wanted to play. The Meadowlands was the best sounding and easiest to get to and Nassau was where the die hards went when there were shows during the week. Took me forever to get there from Bergen County.
First video of yours I’ve seen, but think it’s pretty cool you came back with this sort of content, I’ve really been into it lately and the ones you’ve put out so far are very interesting
I loved this arena! Went to my very first NJ Devils game there with my friend and his dad sometime before 2007 (can't remember the date off the top of my head). I remember I got a signed hockey stick and puck from that event that I still have to this day. As much as it would kill me, I think the best possible scenario for this building is demolition. I really am hoping that it doesn't have to come to that, though. Hopefully it can be renovated and turned into a convention center or something, like Kirkos said. All that aside though, I really do appreciate that they're still finding uses for this building, and even using everything that's already in the building - like the hockey horns to signify when the cameras are rolling and the scoreboard to count what scene and take they're shooting. Really amazing stuff! Thank you for making this video. It truly does mean the world!
Saw Bruce there in 84,92,and 99. I worked for the firm that did the design work. Also saw Jackson Browne and Dire Straits there. I did see the Devils and Nets play there as well.
So many concerts, Devils games, some Nets games, and graduated college twice for Bachelor's and two Masters degrees in there. The Rock in Newark is nice, and it is better for the Devils, but I miss it.
00:00 Intro 00:38 Idea for an Arena 3:18 Renamed Continental Airlines Arena 4:26 Prudential Center is Built 7:40 IZOD Center is closed 9:23 Where is center today?
Love the video. Grew up in the area. It was really so convenient to have Izod really close to me. I was able to go see some great shows and sporting events without having to go into New York. It's sad what the arena looks like now. I agree just to demolish it. How about maybe make a park or something like that to commemorate the arena.
I think they could of got 5 or 10 more years of use out of the izod center for HS sporting events, concerts and shows, but even when the devils left that arena was falling apart and was looking run down... I’m from the area and now the arena just looks so run down it’s kind of sad (even tho I’m not a fan of the Nets or devils) honestly they should just demolish it now.
I bet, even if that era was pretty much the only time the place was anywhere close to being electric for Nets games, which typically had a morgue like atmosphere. At least the Devils games were often lively, even if their attendance was never that great in general (despite their success as time went on when they got good on a consistent basis) though.
Seems like a mall no one wanted that opened with almost no tenants! But thanks to government for swooping in and saving this one! Like typical New Jersey government does! Not to mention take away the right to pump your own gas! Incredible!
So if I understand your logic, if you were a renter of an apartment and your lease ran out and you moved, you should be expected to pay for the cost of demolition of said apartment because the landlord was unable to get new tenants after you left and now has to tear it down because it’s an “eyesore”??
@@lilcourtny08 ok, and? Whether it was built with tax payers dollars or not is not relevant, the Devils and Nets never owned the building, they were tenants. They signed a lease deal, if a lease is not broken and they leave when their lease ends then why should they be expected to pay any sort of bill on the building? There is is absolutely no logic in that and how Gary’s silly comment has 9 thumbs up is beyond me lol
Queen in 1982 with Bily Squier oppening. Brian May had big troubles with his wireless cutting out duting his solo/echo segment, and ended up heaving the THIRD guitar that cut out as far as he could offstage.
Yea I remember my first even like it was yesterday. One of the highlights of the night was Bubba Ray Dudley power bombing Mae Young off the ramp onto a bunch of tables.
I grew up in Little Ferry, NJ, about 10 minutes away from here and back when Giants Stadium was still a thing. The first game I got to go the was a Nets game and it was so hype because it was around the time when Vince, J Kidd, and RJ were still on the team. Good times.
I was half raised at the IZOD Center (originally Brendan Byrne Arena) from it's inception, going to Devils games since the team started there in 1982, getting down on the ice and more. Now I work in the film industry for the past decade plus and spent the past few years seeing it turned into film studios for shows like Enemy Within and the first season of Equalizer. Seeing a bedroom set or a toilet where center ice used to be was surreal as hell.
I had floor seats for Bruce there in 2009-ish, and watched Seton Hall play there a lot. It really had a great atmosphere. I never knew how messy its death was
Once a New Jersey Nets fan always a New Jersey Nets fan and don’t let me even get started on how big of a devils fan I am I have been a devils season ticket holder going on for solid years now and I went to the last devils game before COVID hit and I went to the very first devils game after COVID once governor Murphy first announced fans would be allowed back to the prudential center
I liked the old Brendan Byrnes Arena. I remember the acoustics were really good for concerts. It was easy to park there, and normally easy to arrive there and leave there. You would have to drive though. Pretty good sightlines there too. But sometimes Nets games there just didn't have the energy of Knicks games at MSG.
Byrne showed up at the arena for one of the last Seton Hall games played there.I was stunned as I couldn't believe that he would return to a place which had taken his name off of the building.
@@olivercrangle7160 Well barely anyone was even aware that was the arena's name anyway though. I literally had no idea it was actually called that (as most TV stations often referred to the place as simply "The Meadowlands") until I first went there for a Nets game on Easter Sunday of 1994 too! (L.O.L.!)
My dad went to that first Springsteen concert. He said the seats he was tucked for weren’t even screwed in…not that you use your seats at a Bruce concert anyway…
Being a die hard Vince Carter and NJ Nets fan it hurts to see the arena be vacant every time I pass by it when I go see the Giants or to the mall. I stop and stare at it for at least 10 mins 😂. No other arena can give me the memories that the IZOD center has 💯
Lots of good memories in that arena. From Nets games to WWF/E events. I believe they should just do a major upgrade to it and combine it with the mall. Even if you downsize the arena and make it into a music hall of some sort.
It's an older design with a single concourse for two levels. It was very congested. Former NBA commissioner David Stern was very vocal about it needing to be replaced.
Me and 2 college friends were there on opening night in '81 to see Bruce. Only problem, we didn't have tickets, and the scalpers wanted something outrageous like $125 for 3 tickets! (Bring back the '80's!). We didn't have it. So never got in. Did see Bruce there in '84. Remember thinking it looked so cool from the outside, like a spaceship, but inside it was really drab...
Shame This Arena Was Not Good For NBA or College Basketball Games Cause of The View From The Upper Seats But When The NJ Devils Played There Until 2007 Many NY Rangers Fans Outnumbered NJ Devils Fans Before They Moved To Newark NJ!
One thing that is always amazed me is that arenas around the country of the u.s. never seem to survive without a team but yet there is one stadium in the entire country for which it's entire purpose is for tennis which is played for 2 weeks out of the entire year but yet has remained standing for 30 years
Giant Stadium opened in 76, and this arena in 81. That’s very low mileage on these places. It’s crazy. A place gets old because it doesn’t have the current bells and whistles. From the video, looks like it’s being used as sound stages.
It’s actually common now, look at Turner field that opened in 1997, look at Arlington stadium that opened in 1994, both closed no. That’s unfortunately what happens. Venue demands are now for more club and VIP seating, more amenities, more activities. As far as this venue, as someone who went to it so many times for so many years, just for the games themselves it may have been one of the best to watch a ball or hockey game because had no obstructions and had tremendous unobstructed sight lines. One big negative though was that it only had the the ones single concourse that was a cramped nightmare during halftimes and intermissions. It could take you missing some time from your event because you were stuck in the concourse
nice arena but too far from Newark and public transit. without constant train service it’s not going to attract folks to come and with the Prudential Center in the heart of Newark accessible by PATH from New York City and at a decent price it was a hard sell for concerts at least it’s getting use as a soundstage, with renovations to increase space it might be a great alternative to the Brooklyn and Queens soundstages
Grew up in Westchester County NY on the other side of the Hudson. It was closer than Nassau Coliseum and safer than traveling to an un-gentrified NYC back in the 80s and 90s, so it kind of became our local arena. I saw Muppet Babies Live and Ice Capades there when I was a kid. Later in High School I saw Aerosmith play there. Good memories...
I'm from New Jersey, and every time I see the IZOD Center right next to MetLife, I think about the two Nets games I went to when I was like 7 or 8. But I definitely agree that its time to let it go. Prudential Center is obviously the dominate arena in the area since its much younger and fresher (and, lets be honest, its NOT in the Meadowlands, which is a good thing)
I lived in Newark all my life before I moved to Florida in 2014 and I truly agree that it was time to let go of the Izod center but, it’ll have unforgettable memories
Governments should never be in the venue business. That is not a legitimate government function. There are too many ways to steal tax money when government does this kind of stuff.
I was a big hockey and Washington Caps fan in the 90's and was able to go see them play the Devils in the venues heyday. I'm surprised it hasn't been imploded.
I mean, building an arena out in the swamps with no major mass transit options, its a wonder it lasted into the mid 2010s... prudential center is better located and has more options for people to get to events... plus, having bars and restaurants in the immediate area makes the place a more exciting venue to go to... I will never understand the people who liked the Izod Center, it really was a dump
It Must be said, that, The Meadowlands sports complex is lent what ppl think it is. For instance, MetLife Stadium is in the middle of nowhere. It is adjacent to the casino and racetrack. So don’t say that the Meadowlands sports complex is a true complex of sports arenas. It’s spread out and with hardly anything around it. If ppl are going to travel to see a New York Giants football gm they better be prepared because MetLife stadium is all you gotta that location.
My brother was on the Fordham team that played a few games at the IZOD Center after all the other tenants had left. Before COVID made playing in (near-) empty arenas commonplace, that had to be the strangest situation to be thrown into and perform. Then again, it's only fitting as Fordham's athletic department is among the worst-run in the NCAA, even compared to universities of similar size.
Saw my first concert there in 1994 (Rush) I recall Geddy Lee mocking the Buffalo Sabres as the Devils had just beaten them in a playoff game the previous night in the same building
Comcast is leasing the building these days as a permanent studio set. Talk about a repurposing! Because it's sandwiched between MetLife Stadium and American Dream Meadowlands, it would be useless as a sports arena.
It can be used as a transportation hub, for buses, Uber and Lyft stations, and shuttles to help with the congestion of traffic. Or how about a parking structure. I live 10 minutes from it, and travel Route 3 every day for work, and can tell you that it can be a hellacious travel.
Grew up in North Jersey not too far from arena. I went to many a net game there when they were terrible. we would buy tickets to the game when jordan came to town, paid like 15 bucks and they let everyone sit closer to the floor so it look like people was actually there. it had frequent low attendance. but those were good times.
That 1990s concert list is insane wow
> 2:44
lol
Saw my first concert there...Metallica black album tour.
Saw AC/DC, Wu-tang & Rage Aginst the Machine ( where Zac got hurt mid concert) , and Pearl Jam.
Also saw NJ win game 7 for The Stanley Cup in 2003.
Tons of wrestling events also.
Great building.
In 8th grade CYO basketball my team got to play a game on the Nets court during the afternoon before they had a night game. Remains one of the coolest days of my life up until now.
Same here! Except mine was after the game. Even got to meet Richard Jefferson.
This arena was neat because it had it's own "mark" or unique trait of having a big screen up in the very far corner of the arena. Everytime WWE was there for a live TV taping, you could see it during matches.
im confused. every arena has one somewhere in the arena
@@soulfly3438 Whereas most are directly above the ring that you dont see on TV, Izod had it up all the way in the corner(nose bleeds), so you would see it almost the whole time during a match
Does that explain why the crowds were dead there at every WWE TV taping? As I used to hate when I heard WWE were there
I saw 2 outta the 3 Stanley cups the devils brought home in this place. I miss the outdoor tailgating( being able to have a hockey game with a bunch of kids and strangers) the tunnel that filled with let’s go devils chants, also sitting at the top of section 217.
There are many ways this Arena can be saved:
1. It could be bought by Triple Five and turn it into the American Dream Arena. They're sure to get expansion sports teams from there.
2. It could be bought by the WWE. Some of the biggest wrestling ratings have been surfaced as a result of hosting events in the Meadowlands.
3. It could be upgraded to the point where they turn it into a sports & convention center. Something the Meadowlands officials always wanted. Making it a great place to host the NFL & NBA Draft.
Any way you look at it - There are options.
Emmanuel Constant- i know wwe does well there but there not going to drop 300 million for an arena. actually wwe is on its way out. business is bad
The other 2 are great ideas but we’re not getting a expansion team. We already have the Brooklyn nets and knicks we don’t need another ball team and no team will wanna play in the arena without a huge reno. We already have the rangers isles and devils, devils aren’t gonna move back for any reason and they barely draw any fans so the nhl isn’t looking here, I’m fact theve threatened on multiple occasions to move the devils away. The nhl also has a long list of cities waiting for a team, as does the nba. For the WWE there’s gonna need to be a large reno as well. The American dream mall has a ton of unused space they can put a convention center if needed that would prolly cost less to reno then the izod center would. With all of the sports and entertainment venues in the area I don’t see it happening, and I’ve never been there but as a huge devils fan it’s sad. That’s where we won our championships, but the world has moved on from it, there’s not much keeping it alive and instead of forcing it to stay, I think it might be time to put it to rest
@@jayson7136 I live 15minutes from the IZOD center, been there once but I agree that it's time to move on. Arenas of that size usually have a 30year lifespan, don't see it as a future for sports and even if that mall wants a convention center it's probably more cost effective to build from srcatch cause it's too run down. So I say give it the wrecking ball, and I won't shead tears over it cause that's the fate dozens of others built in that time have gone though.
@@acegarcia3719 I wasn’t around for the glory days of the devils and I think it would be cool to go inside once but I’m ok with it getting demolished, let the past stay in the past
@@infoguy1978 wwe is not on it's way out stop spreading false information
My favorite memory in this place was seeing Kevin Durant as a rookie on the Supersonics and sitting in the nosebleeds just to see him play.
I always loved this arena, and have fond memories of the sporting events and concerts I saw there. I couldn't understand why it was suddenly deemed unfit and outdated. Sadly, however, it doesn't seem tenable to leave it standing. As the narrator points out, between the fact that the Nets and Devils both left, and the abundance of nearby concert venues, the proverbial writing is on the wall.
OH YEAH THOSE WWE WRESTLING SPORTING EVENTS WERE GREAT AT THE IZOD
Well the arena was getting outdated, with no bells & whistles at all. It was time for a new era, and the Meadowlands was never highly regarded at all for that matter too.
Probably the same reason as the Charlotte Colliseum. It was built right before a huge jump in stadium technology, and its just cheaper long term to build a new arena thats made for the new technology than to upkeep an old one.
@@PurpleCrownVic Same was also the case with the Orlando, and Miami Arena(s), which were okay for the times, but weren't going to be sustainable long term. That along with other late 80's venues in the Arco (later Sleep Train) Arena, Bradley Center, and the Palace of Auburn Hills, which were all initially state of the art and had good runs, but inevitably become outdated as time went on as well. Same could also be said when Seattle first rebuilt the Coliseum, and converted it into the Key Arena in 95, which wasn't sustainable, and had to eventually be redone in order to accommodate major league sports once more in the end too.
@@freakyfornash It was highly regarded for concerts. The acoustics were great especially compared to The Garden across the river. In the '80s and '90s most acts skipped The Garden in favor of the Meadowlands because it was that much better.
Missed New Jersey Rockets as their 2nd tenant. They played at the arena in 81/82 season. NJ Rockets were a Major Indoor Soccer league team. Indoor Soccer was very popular in the 1980's . Place was sold out opening night. I was there and the place was electric. I believe they were playing New York Arrows who had stars Steve Zungal and goalie Shepp Messing. Great times !
Wow I completely forgot about them! Some great names from the past.
I had a front row seat for one Rockets' game there and batted the ball back into the playing surface.They played on for a few seconds before the officials realized what had happened.
And the New York Red Dogs arena team.
I like these arena/stadium history videos
So do we!
Same!
Went here all the time for WWE events, I live only 10 minutes from it.. way better than the drive down to Prudential in Newark. Wish it could come back some day!
Saw Iron Maiden back in 2008 at the IZOD, on the Somewhere Back in Time Tour. Sound was effing great, Maiden brought the house down like usual
I flew in for that one to 're-live' the old days with high school friends. Killer show.
@@iggycieplinski2082 I flew in too, they didn't have any dates near me and I always wanted to see New York.
@@AaronSmith-kr5yf Where from?
I thought the acoustics were better at Continental Airlines Arena than Madison Square Garden or Nassau Coliseum.
@@rushrush1209 Definitely. Depending on where you lived, MSG was where everyone wanted to play. The Meadowlands was the best sounding and easiest to get to and Nassau was where the die hards went when there were shows during the week. Took me forever to get there from Bergen County.
First video of yours I’ve seen, but think it’s pretty cool you came back with this sort of content, I’ve really been into it lately and the ones you’ve put out so far are very interesting
Ahhh.... paint and the heavy odor of adhesives. Welcome to New Jersey.
Miss the nj nets
y'all miss them now that they're elite but didn't care for them when they went 12-70 in 2010 lol.
You can go to see them in Brooklyn.
@@markrichards6863 it’s not the same.
Love the old barn saw BRUCE opening in night in '92 and saw all of the 15 shows he played on that tour it was a pretty cool arena
I loved this arena! Went to my very first NJ Devils game there with my friend and his dad sometime before 2007 (can't remember the date off the top of my head). I remember I got a signed hockey stick and puck from that event that I still have to this day. As much as it would kill me, I think the best possible scenario for this building is demolition. I really am hoping that it doesn't have to come to that, though. Hopefully it can be renovated and turned into a convention center or something, like Kirkos said. All that aside though, I really do appreciate that they're still finding uses for this building, and even using everything that's already in the building - like the hockey horns to signify when the cameras are rolling and the scoreboard to count what scene and take they're shooting. Really amazing stuff! Thank you for making this video. It truly does mean the world!
Saw king of the king with Kurt angle and Shane o mac
Saw Bruce there in 84,92,and 99. I worked for the firm that did the design work. Also saw Jackson Browne and Dire Straits there. I did see the Devils and Nets play there as well.
Nice, Im excited to see more from this series
I went there for Nets, Devils, and WWE events. I live like 3 towns away
What exit?
Jesus, for those of us not from there, what was it like?
So many concerts, Devils games, some Nets games, and graduated college twice for Bachelor's and two Masters degrees in there. The Rock in Newark is nice, and it is better for the Devils, but I miss it.
Been to that arena plenty of times. Tons of nets games and wrestling events.
Same here.
00:00 Intro
00:38 Idea for an Arena
3:18 Renamed Continental Airlines Arena
4:26 Prudential Center is Built
7:40 IZOD Center is closed
9:23 Where is center today?
Underrated channel. Keep up the good work!
🥲. We do it for you!
Love the video. Grew up in the area. It was really so convenient to have Izod really close to me. I was able to go see some great shows and sporting events without having to go into New York. It's sad what the arena looks like now. I agree just to demolish it. How about maybe make a park or something like that to commemorate the arena.
Keep it up, great work.
I think they could of got 5 or 10 more years of use out of the izod center for HS sporting events, concerts and shows, but even when the devils left that arena was falling apart and was looking run down... I’m from the area and now the arena just looks so run down it’s kind of sad (even tho I’m not a fan of the Nets or devils) honestly they should just demolish it now.
Growing up in North Jersey....the good old Meadowlands! My dad had season tickets to the NJ Nets in 2002. That place was rockin!💯
I bet, even if that era was pretty much the only time the place was anywhere close to being electric for Nets games, which typically had a morgue like atmosphere. At least the Devils games were often lively, even if their attendance was never that great in general (despite their success as time went on when they got good on a consistent basis) though.
I hate that mall so much. I've seen so many nets games at izod and I miss it so much
Seems like a mall no one wanted that opened with almost no tenants! But thanks to government for swooping in and saving this one! Like typical New Jersey government does! Not to mention take away the right to pump your own gas! Incredible!
I live in northern NJ, went to the arena many times.
Saw so many concerts there over the years. It was easy to get there instead if concerts in the Newark arena.
The professional sports teams that abandon them should have to pay to remove and restore site and stop leaving them as eye sores.
It was built after the Nets agreed to play there with hopes they could lure a hockey team.
So if I understand your logic, if you were a renter of an apartment and your lease ran out and you moved, you should be expected to pay for the cost of demolition of said apartment because the landlord was unable to get new tenants after you left and now has to tear it down because it’s an “eyesore”??
@@jamesvazquez2491 the stadium was probably built with tax payer money
@@lilcourtny08 ok, and? Whether it was built with tax payers dollars or not is not relevant, the Devils and Nets never owned the building, they were tenants. They signed a lease deal, if a lease is not broken and they leave when their lease ends then why should they be expected to pay any sort of bill on the building? There is is absolutely no logic in that and how Gary’s silly comment has 9 thumbs up is beyond me lol
Love the 334 club. Thanks for posting.
Queen in 1982 with Bily Squier oppening. Brian May had big troubles with his wireless cutting out duting his solo/echo segment, and ended up heaving the THIRD guitar that cut out as far as he could offstage.
That arena was so great for Wrestling. I wish the WWE would buy it and make it their home base in the northeast.
Funny I was thinking the same for the new haven Connecticut arena since their office is only about 40 minutes away
Yea I remember my first even like it was yesterday. One of the highlights of the night was Bubba Ray Dudley power bombing Mae Young off the ramp onto a bunch of tables.
@@bulldog2035 More like a hr n half away
@@PopOutPaulie that depends how you drive
Why would WWE never mention that it was in New Jersey? They would always get around it and say something like "in the shadows of New York"
I grew up in Little Ferry, NJ, about 10 minutes away from here and back when Giants Stadium was still a thing. The first game I got to go the was a Nets game and it was so hype because it was around the time when Vince, J Kidd, and RJ were still on the team. Good times.
You know you've arrived when you shell-out $40K for a practice venue before playing your big show.
I was half raised at the IZOD Center (originally Brendan Byrne Arena) from it's inception, going to Devils games since the team started there in 1982, getting down on the ice and more. Now I work in the film industry for the past decade plus and spent the past few years seeing it turned into film studios for shows like Enemy Within and the first season of Equalizer.
Seeing a bedroom set or a toilet where center ice used to be was surreal as hell.
I had floor seats for Bruce there in 2009-ish, and watched Seton Hall play there a lot. It really had a great atmosphere. I never knew how messy its death was
I remember going to a circus event, and a monster jam event at this place. Great memories.
Once a New Jersey Nets fan always a New Jersey Nets fan and don’t let me even get started on how big of a devils fan I am I have been a devils season ticket holder going on for solid years now and I went to the last devils game before COVID hit and I went to the very first devils game after COVID once governor Murphy first announced fans would be allowed back to the prudential center
Came to this after your Palace video. You have earned a subscriber.
Two a views and a sub. Deal!
@@LaBreeceTV Had to make sure it wasn't a fluke. Can't wait to see what you make next!
I liked the old Brendan Byrnes Arena. I remember the acoustics were really good for concerts. It was easy to park there, and normally easy to arrive there and leave there. You would have to drive though. Pretty good sightlines there too. But sometimes Nets games there just didn't have the energy of Knicks games at MSG.
Sometimes? More like all the time! (L.O.L.!)
Byrne showed up at the arena for one of the last Seton Hall games played there.I was stunned as I couldn't believe that he would return to a place which had taken his name off of the building.
@@olivercrangle7160 Well barely anyone was even aware that was the arena's name anyway though. I literally had no idea it was actually called that (as most TV stations often referred to the place as simply "The Meadowlands") until I first went there for a Nets game on Easter Sunday of 1994 too! (L.O.L.!)
@@freakyfornash New Jersey had no income tax until this man arrived on the scene-after saying that he saw no need for a tax.
@@olivercrangle7160 Yeah, and he truly was a typical, good for nothing Dirty Democrat for certain too! XD
This is one of the few places I can say I've been to many times in my life that is now abandoned I'm not even 25 yet
Great video. Made great points very informative. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
wwe extreme rules 2014 was my first and last time at the IZOD Center
My dad went to that first Springsteen concert. He said the seats he was tucked for weren’t even screwed in…not that you use your seats at a Bruce concert anyway…
SIT DOWN! I PAID FOR THIS SEAT TO SEE THE BOSS, NOT YOUR BODY AND HANDS WAVING!
love these videos! Would love to see someone do a video like this on The Bradley Center in Milwaukee!
Being a die hard Vince Carter and NJ Nets fan it hurts to see the arena be vacant every time I pass by it when I go see the Giants or to the mall. I stop and stare at it for at least 10 mins 😂. No other arena can give me the memories that the IZOD center has 💯
Nets had some good times there and as a knicks fan I can testify.
Yes good times for nets in early 2000s
Lots of good memories in that arena. From Nets games to WWF/E events. I believe they should just do a major upgrade to it and combine it with the mall. Even if you downsize the arena and make it into a music hall of some sort.
It's an older design with a single concourse for two levels. It was very congested. Former NBA commissioner David Stern was very vocal about it needing to be replaced.
Well Stern is dead.
Its still a common design elements with modern arenas though
8:13 😂 Aye did my mans just FART??
Me and 2 college friends were there on opening night in '81 to see Bruce. Only problem, we didn't have tickets, and the scalpers wanted something outrageous like $125 for 3 tickets! (Bring back the '80's!). We didn't have it. So never got in. Did see Bruce there in '84. Remember thinking it looked so cool from the outside, like a spaceship, but inside it was really drab...
Shame This Arena Was Not Good For NBA or College Basketball Games Cause of The View From The Upper Seats But When The NJ Devils Played There Until 2007 Many NY Rangers Fans Outnumbered NJ Devils Fans Before They Moved To Newark NJ!
In 1987 January 7 WWF had a big TV tapings for superstars of wrestling there
Great video. Thanks.
I remember going to my first monster jam show there when I was little
One thing that is always amazed me is that arenas around the country of the u.s. never seem to survive without a team but yet there is one stadium in the entire country for which it's entire purpose is for tennis which is played for 2 weeks out of the entire year but yet has remained standing for 30 years
Subscribed!!!
Fantastic episode!
Was the first one.... ☺️
Giant Stadium opened in 76, and this arena in 81. That’s very low mileage on these places. It’s crazy. A place gets old because it doesn’t have the current bells and whistles. From the video, looks like it’s being used as sound stages.
It’s actually common now, look at Turner field that opened in 1997, look at Arlington stadium that opened in 1994, both closed no. That’s unfortunately what happens. Venue demands are now for more club and VIP seating, more amenities, more activities.
As far as this venue, as someone who went to it so many times for so many years, just for the games themselves it may have been one of the best to watch a ball or hockey game because had no obstructions and had tremendous unobstructed sight lines.
One big negative though was that it only had the the ones single concourse that was a cramped nightmare during halftimes and intermissions. It could take you missing some time from your event because you were stuck in the concourse
can u do one on Arco Arena?
That would be amazing
I'm making one about the palace right now and the pistons owner basicly spent the rest of life comparing it to the concrete block arco arena.
My first Devils game was at this arena back in 2004 I think it was.
Love your content.
That news reporter at the beginning was Cliff Morrison . He used to be the weatherman here in Erie pa with JET TV 24 .
Love tidbits like this.
nice arena but too far from Newark and public transit. without constant train service it’s not going to attract folks to come and with the Prudential Center in the heart of Newark accessible by PATH from New York City and at a decent price it was a hard sell for concerts
at least it’s getting use as a soundstage, with renovations to increase space it might be a great alternative to the Brooklyn and Queens soundstages
No matter how many $$$'s naming rights bring in, the BURDEN to taxpayers is never "reduced".
This was fantastic.
Whatcha like about it?!
@@LaBreeceTV everything. I learned many things. It was easy to understand. The quality was great.
East Rutherford, New Jersey needs the USFL NJ Generals and NHL NJ Devils
I've seen many concerts, hockey games and wrestling shows at the Meadowlands, it wasn't as bad as people make it out to be
Make a video about the palace!
You’ve earned a subscriber from this video. Please keep the Modern Ruins videos going. I loved this.
Grew up in Westchester County NY on the other side of the Hudson. It was closer than Nassau Coliseum and safer than traveling to an un-gentrified NYC back in the 80s and 90s, so it kind of became our local arena. I saw Muppet Babies Live and Ice Capades there when I was a kid. Later in High School I saw Aerosmith play there. Good memories...
Under rated channel. I can’t wait to one day and see 100k subs. Keep up the great content ‼️
This comment won't be forgotten.
Loved this place….however walking in that mile long tunnel from the parking lot was always bizarre
I'm from New Jersey, and every time I see the IZOD Center right next to MetLife, I think about the two Nets games I went to when I was like 7 or 8. But I definitely agree that its time to let it go. Prudential Center is obviously the dominate arena in the area since its much younger and fresher (and, lets be honest, its NOT in the Meadowlands, which is a good thing)
FAX I LIVE IN CENTRAL JERSEY AND I DONT LIKE DRIVIN SO FAR TOO Nets GAMES
I lived in Newark all my life before I moved to Florida in 2014 and I truly agree that it was time to let go of the Izod center but, it’ll have unforgettable memories
Yes location is problem beacuse New Jersey is suburb of new York nba want arenas in center of town,Russian owner move nets from new jersey to Brooklyn
Great video! Remember me when you’re famous
Governments should never be in the venue business. That is not a legitimate government function. There are too many ways to steal tax money when government does this kind of stuff.
I was a big hockey and Washington Caps fan in the 90's and was able to go see them play the Devils in the venues heyday. I'm surprised it hasn't been imploded.
I mean, building an arena out in the swamps with no major mass transit options, its a wonder it lasted into the mid 2010s... prudential center is better located and has more options for people to get to events... plus, having bars and restaurants in the immediate area makes the place a more exciting venue to go to... I will never understand the people who liked the Izod Center, it really was a dump
yeah sure dont forget the murder and crime rate in Newark
It Must be said, that, The Meadowlands sports complex is lent what ppl think it is. For instance, MetLife Stadium is in the middle of nowhere. It is adjacent to the casino and racetrack. So don’t say that the Meadowlands sports complex is a true complex of sports arenas. It’s spread out and with hardly anything around it. If ppl are going to travel to see a New York Giants football gm they better be prepared because MetLife stadium is all you gotta that location.
NO STADIUM SHOULD BE PUBLICLY FUNDED, EVER! tax me then, charge me to go there? where does that make any sense?
My brother was on the Fordham team that played a few games at the IZOD Center after all the other tenants had left. Before COVID made playing in (near-) empty arenas commonplace, that had to be the strangest situation to be thrown into and perform. Then again, it's only fitting as Fordham's athletic department is among the worst-run in the NCAA, even compared to universities of similar size.
That's so cool. I love people who comment with personal connections like that. Really makes creating this content fulfilling.
Just let it go and call it a day!
Great video
“The investors are pullin’ the plug.” It sure sounds like someone pulled their plug at the 8:13 time mark.
Haha
IIRC the opening scene for the film Highlander was filmed in the arena too.
Saw my first concert there in 1994 (Rush) I recall Geddy Lee mocking the Buffalo Sabres as the Devils had just beaten them in a playoff game the previous night in the same building
I’ve been to the continental airlines arena a lot of times as a kid, good memories
Between nets , devils , college basketball , & wrestling , this was probably my 2nd home
What a shame, been to so many events there when I lived in central Jersey in the mid eighties and nineties.
I wish the nets would move back we don’t want them here in NY
New Jersey could always get a minor league hockey team to play at the IZOD Center
If they couldn't fill the arena for an NHL team, a minor league team won't either.
Comcast is leasing the building these days as a permanent studio set. Talk about a repurposing! Because it's sandwiched between MetLife Stadium and American Dream Meadowlands, it would be useless as a sports arena.
Will always know it as the continental airlines arena many many devils games.. but yeah also many things were lacking
Three Stanley Cups 🏆🏆🏆
Saw many a concert at Brendon Byrne as a teenager…
so many Grateful Dead concerts at that venue good good times
5:40 “with notably celebrities in attendance such as Chris rock”
Lmao future part owner of the nets Jay z not even mentioned 😂
"...such as Christopher Cross."
It can be used as a transportation hub, for buses, Uber and Lyft stations, and shuttles to help with the congestion of traffic.
Or how about a parking structure. I live 10 minutes from it, and travel Route 3 every day for work, and can tell you that it can be a hellacious travel.
Re open the arena move the Devils back there, getting to the prudential center has always been a nightmare!
In the video you said 7 venues within 20 miles. Is Nassau Colisium further than 20 miles?
Kinda lame the Islanders have an arena all to themselves. The crazy thing is that's the arena the nets moved from to play in this arena.
Grew up in North Jersey not too far from arena. I went to many a net game there when they were terrible. we would buy tickets to the game when jordan came to town, paid like 15 bucks and they let everyone sit closer to the floor so it look like people was actually there. it had frequent low attendance. but those were good times.