Nets celebrating Swamp Dragons night in homage to rebrand that fell apart

The Nets are planning a “Swamp Dragons Night” on Jan. 29, 2027 against the Clippers, paying tribute to a rebrand idea that nearly made it to reality in the 1990s. The event is part of the team’s 60th season celebrations and will include a bobblehead. The franchise considered the name while trying to boost fan interest during its New Jersey period, drawing on a “swamp” link to the Meadowlands setting and a “Dragons” nickname that later also appeared as a finalist for Toronto’s expansion. ESPN reports that NBA commissioner David Stern raised major objections, and the league spent $500,000 to protect the name and potential markings if approved. A vote of the 27 owners reportedly led to the change failing, with Nets co-owner David Gerstein voting against it.