IZOD Center, home to New Jersey Nets for 30 years, to close its doors on January 31

The IZOD Center where the Nets played for more than 30 years until they moved first to Prudential Center in Newark and then Barclay Center in Brooklyn, will close its doors January 31, perhaps for good. Its final concerts and other events will be moved to Newark.  The Record first reported the news.

The arena's ultimate fate has yet to be determined. It could be torn down or like Nassau Coliseum renovated.

The East Rutherford arena opened in 1981 with the Nets as its first tenant.  The team stayed at the arena through 2010, when Mikhail Prokhorov paid $4 million to break the team's lease and move the franchise to Newark and the far more modern Prudential Center, already the home of the arena's most successful tenant, the NHL Devils.

Originally known as the Brendan Byrne Arena, after the former governor who pushed development in the Meadowlands, it was later re-named Continental Airlines Arena, then IZOD Center.  It was during its tenure as Continental Airlines Arena that it achieved its greatest recognition, with the Nets and/or Devils regularly making the Finals in the late 1990's and early 2000's. The Nets brought the Finals to CAA in 2002 and 2003.  The Devils reached the Stanley Cup Finals five times in the Meadowlands, winning in 1995, 2000 and 2003.  .

However, in recent years, its advanced age and lack of public transport put it at a disadvantage as the Prudential Center and Barclays Center were built and Madison Square Garden underwent a transformation.

• Buzzer sounds on Izod Center: Arena expected to close after years of decline - John Brennan - The Record
• Deal to close Izod Center expected to be announced Thursday - Brent Johnson - NJ.com
• Izod Center, former New Jersey Nets home, will shutter its doors for good - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game