Thursday, Jan. 26 against Detroit Pistons
Exclusive Chinese New Year Merchandise Collection to Debut at Game
BROOKLYN - The Brooklyn Nets will commemorate the Chinese New Year on Thursday, Jan. 26 when the team hosts the Detroit Pistons at Barclays Center, with the celebration presented by 華人青年 (WAH YAN CHING NIN). The Chinese New Year game is part of the Nets Unite platform which seeks to build unity, celebrate culture, and foster equity by amplifying the rich traditions of our diverse community.
2023 is the Year of the Rabbit and to mark the occasion, 華人青年 (WAH YAN CHING NIN), presenting partner of the evening, has collaborated with the Nets to create a custom merch line featuring a crewneck sweatshirt and t-shirt. The collection will be sold exclusively in the Nets’ team store at Barclays Center, Brooklyn Fanatics, beginning Jan. 26. Photos of the line – including Nets player Ben Simmons wearing both items.
As presenting partner of the Nets’ Chinese New Year game, 華人青年 (WAH YAN CHING NIN) will participate in the holiday in a variety of ways throughout the evening including an exclusive red envelope giveaway for every fan in attendance, wishing fans good fortune for the new year. Each lucky red envelope contains a QR code directing fans to a website where they can play a fun game for a chance to win various prizes. Additionally, a fashion pop-up exhibit will be located on the main concourse where the Nets x 華人青年 (WAH YAN CHING NIN) merchandise will be on display alongside traditional Chinese style clothing where fans can learn about cultural stories behind the different design elements.
The evening’s festivities, presented by 華人青年 (WAH YAN CHING NIN), will also feature the debut of special dance routines from Team Hype and the Brooklynettes, as well as a halftime performance by TAKALA LAND, a Chinese youth hip-hop dance team. There will also be free Chinese New Year giveaways located on the upper concourse where fans can write their wishes for the new year. Nets players will wear special Chinese New Year shooting shirts during warmups, and the Nets will incorporate videos featuring Chinese New Year wishes from various players on their social media channels and in-arena during the game.
Arena doors will open at 6 p.m. and fans are encouraged to take their seats by 7:15 p.m. for an opening ceremony that will include a national anthem performance by the world's youngest string orchestra – “The Joyous String Ensemble,” followed by starting lineups announced in Mandarin. Nets player Kyrie Irving will welcome the crowd, following a special message from Consul General Huang Ping from the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York, who will also participate in a pregame gift exchange with BSE Global CEO Sam Zussman, parent company of the Brooklyn Nets. A special Year of the Rabbit cultural video presented by the Chinese Consulate General in New York and China International Culture Association will also be shown before tipoff and Wang Peng, Founder of 華人青年 (WAH YAN CHING NIN), will participate in the team’s game ball delivery.
“The Brooklyn Nets are excited to work alongside our partners at 華人青年 (WAH YAN CHING NIN) to celebrate Chinese New Year with our fans,” said Zussman. “Our game on Jan. 26 is an opportunity for us to come together and pay homage to the rich history and traditions associated with Chinese culture across the world and in our own community.”
“華人青年 (WAH YAN CHING NIN) is a trending cultural brand that is dedicated to showing confidence of the young Chinese generation to the world,” said Wang. “Collaborating with the Brooklyn Nets is not only an important opportunity for us to bring Chinese culture to the world, but also a demonstration of the in-depth communications between Chinese and American sports, fashion, and entertainment industries. We believe that, 華人青年 (WAH YAN CHING NIN) and the Nets share a strong belief that connecting Chinese culture to the whole world is of foremost importance, and have both been committed to put this belief into action. We also believe we will be able to partner with the Nets again over our shared values to foster greater appreciation of our profound, confident, and inclusive Chinese culture globally.”
Supporting Chinese Cuisine Partner of the game, Shoo Loong Kan Hot Pot – a famous Chinese Hot Pot chain restaurant - will provide free samples of authentic Chinese food for fans on the main concourse. Additionally, ensuring the community is also involved in the Chinese New Year celebrations, food from local Chinese-owned restaurants Junzi Kitchen and Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao will be served inside two of the arena’s premium clubs. The Nets will also host more than 300 Chinese students for various programming on game day, including a basketball training session with Nets Assistant Coach Ryan Forehan-Kelly, a pre-game basketball tournament played on the main court at Barclays Center, and a panel discussion with employees from BSE Global, parent company of the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center.
The game will be broadcast live on YES Network at 7:30 p.m. EST. WFAN is the official radio partner of the Brooklyn Nets. Tickets for the game are on-sale now at brooklynnets.com.