New York’s New Stadiums
Two new iconic waterfront football stadiums for the New York Metro’s two teams. the New York Giants and New York jets can achieve more by creating distinct identities in both name and space.
BACKGROUND
The New York Giants and New York Jets have very distinct fanbases and histories. Yet, with both teams playing in an uninspiring bland stadium in the middle of a marsh across from their namesake state. While today’s teams may be perceived as distinct, without sufficient differentiation, both teams are heading toward a future of indifference and conflation, relying more on history than growing distinct fanbases. The Giants-Jets rivalry is more like siblings sharing a bedroom rather than distinct cultural clashes like the Yankees-Mets, Rangers-Islanders-Devils, and Knicks-Nets rivalry. New identities literally building on each’s history is necessary.
New Jersey Jets
The New York Jets should rebrand themselves as the New Jersey Jets. While the name “New York” may appear more alluring and shrinks the potential fanbase, it opens up a new opportunity for the Jets to solidify nearly 10 million New Jerseyites under its umbrella. Additionally, it adds a new distinction to the brand to contrast with the New York Giants. Lastly, it invites a champion, the State of New Jersey, to become a new partner and funder willing to give far more support than it would with the “New York” moniker to fund new stadium construction and promote the brand statewide and countrywide. The State of New Jersey would function much more as a willing close partner rather than a necessary one.
With the Jets divesting from New York and focusing on New Jersey, the New York Giants can focus on being New York City’s definitive team.
Now, each team must build respectable venues that live up to the brand, outwardly represent their fanbases, and stir pride and imagination in their locales.
New Jersey Central Stadium
New Jersey Central Stadium will be the future home of the New Jersey Jets. It is to be built on the site of the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal. The headhouse is to be incorporated into the facade of the stadium and serve as the architectural inspiration for the rest of the stadium. Ferry service will be reactivated at the station for gameday fans to come to the stadium in an iconic and grand fashion.
This stadium is meant to be the focal point of the New Jersey City Development Project.
Brooklyn Navy Yard Stadium
Brooklyn Navy Yard Stadium is to be the future home of the New York Giants. It is to be built on former dockyards of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The architecture is a fusion of classic Federal-style architecture from old dockyard buildings and “gigantic” larger than life columns and triumphal arches at the entryways.
In front of the stadium will be a large grand greenspace stretching towards a new traffic circle at the intersection of Park Avenue and the new Brooklyn Boulevard.
Both of these venues have the chance to together bring two iconic additions to the new york metro, both with sweeping vistas of the Manhattan skyline across the water.
New York has long been the place of competitive supremacy. It did not simply build the tallest tower in the world; it raced to do so. Now, the metro’s two teams should race to build the Metro’s next iconic and beloved venue for the public benefit of its citizens and visitors so all may be inspired.
Bonus:
Metropolitan Stadium
Metropolitan Stadium is to be the future home of the New York Mets. It is to be built over the Sunnyside Yard adjacent to Long Island City. The architecture is Art Deco inspired from the silver interiors of the Empire State Building.
In front of the stadium will be a monumental circle, and adjacent to the stadium will be Long Island City Station.
