The people who own both the Nets and the Barclays Center (in differing percentages) have to be pleased with the latest confirmed and reported bookings at the arena. Although still nearly 50 dates short of their goal of 220, the arena is picking up big games, names and events.

On Thursday, arena management announced that the Gucci Masters, a prestigious show-jumping event for equestrians, will take place at the Barclays Center in 2013. Until 2001, it had been held at Madison Square Garden. In a bigger loss for the Garden, Andrea Bocelli will shun MSG next holiday season to perform instead at Barclays on December 10.

The arena's CEO, Brett Yormark, is also trying to lure heavyweight-boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko for a big match not long after the arena opens. All this drove Boro President Marty Markowitz to say (shout?) "Look out Manhattan! Not only will the Brooklyn Nets wipe the floor with your Knicks, but the Barclays Center is going to give MSG, or as we call it in Brooklyn, ‘Manhattan Square Garden,’ a real run for its money."

• Brooklyn ‘lands one’ - Rich Calder New York Post
• Gucci Masters Horse Show-Jumping Comes to Brooklyn - Sophia Hollander - Wall Street Journal
• NYC's new arena to host big equestrian event - AP
• How Brooklyn Nets Can Cut In On Knicks - Jason Concepcion - SB Nation