Jay-Z to Attend Ground Breaking for New Nets Arena

According to recent reports, Jay-Z will be in attendance when they break ground today (March 11) at Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn, the site for the Barclay Center, which will house the New Jersey Nets. The rapper-turned-mogul -- and part-owner of the Nets -- will be joined by friend and developer Bruce Ratner, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson at the construction site.

Jay, who's used to being treated like a king in his hometown, and the other investors are expected to face protesters who've been challenging the construction of the sports arena as it would evict residents and business owners that already reside on the land. The group Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn are expected to boycott today's ground breaking, along with several locals.

"I am angry with our so-called political leaders who proudly stand by their abuse of power," Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn spokesman Daniel Goldstein told NBC news.

The new Barclay Center will be open to the public in 2012.