By now, you probably know Brooklyn is getting a minor league football franchise at MCU Park. But with two National Football League squads in the New York area, we wondered: Just who will root for Brooklyn’s newest hometown team? So, with the Brooklyn Bolts’ Oct. 15 season opener just days away, we caught up with one of the first season ticket-holders, Williamsburg native Nick Orlando, to find out why the super fan is so charged up.
Max Jaeger: Why were you so quick to jump on board with the Bolts?
Nick Orlando: It’s a Brooklyn team. My grandpa told me, when the Dodgers were here, there was no question about who to root for — Brooklyn. I’m also a Nets season ticket holder.
MJ: Are you going to the games alone or did someone else buy tickets with you?
NO: I got Black and Gold club tickets [the super fan package that includes food, booze, parking, and on-field access] for me and my girlfriend, Maria. I think she is more excited than I am.
MJ: So you dropped $600 on these tickets for seats and food — was that a tough call?
NO: It’s all-inclusive, and that’s a huge benefit. I love the fact that you don’t have to worry about anything — it’s dinner and a show.
MJ: So how do you pay for season tickets to Bolts and Nets games?
NO: My family owns funeral homes in Williamsburg and in Queens. I work there and for my uncle’s scrap metal business.
MJ: Where are your seats and what do you think about the field layout?
NO: Section 22. And it’s cool — it reminds me more of Yankee Stadium when they have football.
MJ: The field is at an interesting angle in relation to the stands. What do you think about how MCU Park changed the field layout from renderings released months ago?
NO: It’s better. You can see more of the play’s development now — you have more of a view.
MJ: Have you bought any Bolts gear yet?
NO: Once I get there, I’ll be interested in buying the merchandise. I have all my [San Diego] Chargers stuff, and that’s got bolts on it.
MJ: Got any game-day rituals?
NO: Tailgating for sure. And we’ll try to start some chants — we have to have some kind of chant.
MJ: Any ideas?
NO: Brooooook-lyn! Broooooook-lyn!
