The Nets have just announced that Jay-Z --who they describe as a "cultural icon"-- will make "significant announcements regarding The Barclays Center of Brooklyn and the borough's future NBA team" Monday morning at a special press conference opposite the arena.

The announcement will be attended by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Bruce Ratner and Brett Yormark, among others.

Jay-Z, aka Shawn Carter, has long been expected to open Barclays Center September 28 of next year. The event on the Atlantic Terminal plaza is also likely timed to start an Opening Night Countdown now that the arena is a year away.

Although the rapper turned entrepreneur is a very small stockholder in the Nets and Barclays, he has become a creative consultant for the team, involved in the design of lounge spaces at the arena as well as the team's uniform design and colors. His ad agency, Translation, has the contract for the Nets' transition from New Jersey to Brooklyn.

• Cultural Icon Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter to Make Significant Announcements - Barclays Center
• He’s a business, man — Jay-Z to christen the Barclays Center - Daniel Bush - Brooklyn Paper
• Jay-Z To Headline First Concert At Barclays Center (Video) - NY1
  
• Jay-Z has 'major announcements' to make - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York