The arena that hosted the last traditional basketball Final Four
In short: For decades, the Meadowlands Arena was a cornerstone of New Jersey sports, housing the Nets, Devils, and Seton Hall. But its legacy is defined by a specific milestone: it was the final venue built specifically for basketball to host the NCAA Final Four, a distinction it holds to this day.
Originally constructed in 1981 for the New Jersey Nets, the arena—known variously as Brendan Byrne Arena, Continental Airlines Arena, and the Izod Center—was a $85 million project designed by Grad Partnership and Dilullo, Clauss, Ostroki & Partners. It served as a multi-sport hub for nearly three decades, hosting the New Jersey Devils starting in 1982 and the Seton Hall Pirates beginning in 1985. A notable quirk of its layout was the use of two separate floors: a standard hardwood for the NBA and an old parquet floor for NCAA basketball.
The venue's historical significance peaked in 1996 when it hosted the NCAA Final Four. Beyond the Final Four, the arena was a regional powerhouse, hosting the East Regional semifinals and finals on eleven occasions between 1986 and 2007.
It also hosted several conferences, including the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and the Atlantic Ten Conference. The arena's decline began in 2007 when the Devils and Seton Hall moved to the nearby Prudential Center in Newark. Despite efforts to keep the Nets in the Meadowlands until 2013, they eventually departed for Brooklyn. By 2015, the state-owned facility was facing significant financial strain, projected to lose $8.5 million in 2015 alone. On 15 January 2015, the NJSEA decided to shut the site, yet it remains active now by providing a location for television filming, such as The Equalizer, alongside rehearsal space for large touring groups.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Meadowlands Arena
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