Officials have formally cut the ribbon and opened the arena that will house Brooklyn's first big-league sports team in decades.
Supporters cheered as the lights were turned on in the Barclays Center arena Friday.
"This is going to send a loud and clear message that Brooklyn has arrived as a center of exciting entertainment, thrilling big time sports and thriving commerce," New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg told the crowd.
The arena will be home to the NBA's Nets, who moved from New Jersey.
The Nets will be the borough's first big-time sports team since the Dodgers left for Los Angeles after the 1957 season.
Developer Bruce Ratner said he was glad the arena is finally open after its completion was delayed by multiple lawsuits and by the economic downturn. Both he and Bloomberg said the project has already created more than 1,500 jobs.
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Brooklyn Nets co-owner Jay-Z will christen the arena with a series of concerts starting Sept. 28.
