File Under: Woody Johnson, John Mara, new Meadowlands stadium, Jon Bon Jovi
10/22 — The Jets won't play in their new stadium until next season, but Bon Jovi played outside the New Meadowlands Stadium today for 5,000 fan club contest winners. And before the surprise performance, it was announced that the hometown heroes will kick off the NMS with concerts on May 26-27, 2010.
"New Meadowlands Stadium was designed to serve as the country's premier sports and entertainment facility," said Woody Johnson, chairman and CEO of the New York Jets. "It's only fitting that Bon Jovi, considered one of the world's greatest rock bands, will perform our first concert."
Upon completion, the Jets' new home will seat 82,500 and will be the third-largest stadium in the NFL. Inside, four 40x130-foot HD video replay boards are already hanging from each corner of the upper deck. Outside the stadium, fans will be treated to a 350,000-square-foot outdoor plaza filled with fan-centric activities and pregame entertainment zones. A signature amenity of the Jets' new home will be the brand new rail line that will drop off passengers less than 100 feet from the stadium — the total trip from New York's Penn Station will take less than 20 minutes.
New Jersey natives Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, David Bryan and Tico Torres performed an exclusive set for a select group of fans on site at today's announcement. Johnson and Giants president and CEO John Mara were in attendance, as was Mark Lamping, president and CEO of the New Meadowlands Stadium. WPLJ-FM DJ Race Taylor served as the event host and emcee.
Newyorkjets.com caught up with Bon Jovi and Sambora before the show and that exclusive interview will be up on the site this evening. (Let's just say JBJ is impressed with what the Jets have going on here in "Jetville.")
Advanced tickets to the New Meadowlands concerts will go on sale to American Express® Cardmembers beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, and to the general public beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, with additional tour dates going on sale beginning Nov. 9. Live footage of Bon Jovi's news conference and performance is available to stream today at www.BonJovi.com. An imbeddable player is available at http://www.iclips.net/widgets/jbj/jbj_embed.html.
Jeremy Said:
Fri, October 23, 2009 - 12:57pm ET"Best thing about this is the rail line. Anyone that has attended a game there knows what a mess it is to get in & get out. The rail should be a huge help with traffic!"
Paul Said:
Fri, October 23, 2009 - 3:30pm ET"Heres a perfect chance for the Jets/ Giants to show PSL owners one of the benefits of shelling out thousands of dollars for the PSL. Why not give PSL owners an opportunity to buy tickets to the stadium opening Bon Jovi concert before the general public? "
Maryann Said:
Fri, October 23, 2009 - 5:02pm ET"so..............when Bon Jovi plays there in May, who gets first crack at the seats? Giant fans who paid psl's, or Jet fans, who paid psl's??????????????"
George Said:
Fri, October 23, 2009 - 8:43am ET"Well I guess this is not one of the concerts or events the loyal season ticket holders who purchased a PSL will get a shot at purchasing tickets as the agreement stated. It Would have been nice to allow Giant PSL holders and Jet PSL holders a chance to get into the stadium they helped build. "
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