Fansided

Every NBA team’s biggest celebrity fan

By Brendon Kleen

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 22: Beyonce and Jay Z laugh during the game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 22: Beyonce and Jay Z laugh during the game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 22: Beyonce and Jay Z laugh during the game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 22: Beyonce and Jay Z laugh during the game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Brooklyn Nets: Jay-Z

The popularity spike that the NBA is experiencing was not started by Russell Westbrook’s wild season, or even the 2015 Warriors’ sudden rise. It began in 2011, when LeBron James joined the Miami Heat and immediately made the NBA Finals. What ensued was a bona fide arms race around the Eastern Conference, as teams raced to piece together rosters that might challenge James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

One of the central characters in that arms race was Jay-Z, the New Jersey Nets’ most public supporter. Soon, he became many more things than just a supporter for the Nets. His title would expand to include part-owner, relocation consultant, and megafan. In his 2011 hit with Kanye West, “N****s in Paris”, he even name-dropped the team’s relocation efforts. It’s very like Jay to drop important and serious matters into a quick verse, with a chuckle.

It’s also very like Jay, at this point, to drop in and out of various endeavors. His involvement with the Nets came and went as quickly as James and the Heat forced the team’s hand. When he started his own representation company Roc Nation, he was forced to divest from the Nets. His work was largely done, though. The dominating Barclays Center sits in Brooklyn and houses a team that Jay helped bring into the forefront of basketball culture, however fleetingly.

Nowadays, you’ll see he and wife Beyonce as visitors, often courtside. While his efforts rose above fandom at one point, engaging with the sport as a consumer is the best for us. As an MC, the witty rapper has been a frequent part of the conversation around the sport. It’s best this way.

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