The Clippers appear to be in the preliminary stages of moving into an arena of their own. According to a report from Nathan Fenno and Sam Farmer of the L.A. Times, representatives of Clippers and Los Angeles Rams ownership have had discussions about the Clippers re-locating to Inglewood. The Clippers would join the Rams and Los Angeles Chargers in the “sports and entertainment district” being targeted for a 2019 release date.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer “hasn’t hidden his desire for an arena of his own,” Fenno and Farmer write, as the Clippers currently share the Staples Center with the Lakers and Los Angeles Kings of the NHL. The Clippers’ lease at Staples Center runs through 2024.
These aren’t the first rumblings we’ve heard about a change of scenery for the Clippers. According to a July 2016 report from Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN, the Clippers had started to explore the possibility of a move, perhaps to Los Angeles’ west side — at the time, Arnovitz said the club had identified six potential locations in southern California, suggesting that the franchise didn’t love being the Staples Center’s “third tenant.”
Although representatives for Ballmer and Rams owner Stan Kroenke have reportedly had multiple discussions, Fenno and Farmer give no indications that those talks have moved beyond the exploratory stages. Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. was unaware of discussions regarding a new arena, and it remains to be seen whether Ballmer would own- rather than lease- the arena land. What’s more, the Times’ report cites the potential conflict of competing head-to-head with the Lakers in selling suites, club seats, and other products.
An anonymous source explained the motives of the prospective move to the L.A. Times:
“It’s too soon to say it would be L.A. Live lite, but if an arena were to bring 200 nights a year, that’s a tremendous amount of foot traffic that would benefit all the ancillary properties.”
Finally! Move and never come back. Preferably out of LA
Leave LA, like Respect left the Lakers
Yes! Find your own home, Clips and stop making the Lakers richer as a tenant of their arena. Another market would be better, but a new arena is the next best thing.
True can’t will wait for own arena comimg soon
I wonder if they will still be interested when they fall short again this year? Then again next year and the year after that. They have 0% chance at beating Golden State. They are not even close to beating that team.
The Clippers biggest hurdle is to get to the post season and not lose your star players.
As for Golden State, they will implode on themselves. It’s gonna be San Antonio that you will have to beat.
Maybe Golden State will lose to San Antonio, who cares. Point is – the Clippers are NOT the team. They never were and will not be any time soon.
Doc Rivers is the most overrated coach in the NBA. The guy was a bum, his GM traded for KG
Clippers to Vegas would be an option if they could get a new arena
Move them to Seattle
And partner with Hanson for the new arena
They ain’t moving. He already said that he won’t move the team before he bought them.
KC or Tampa Bay if ever move.
I feel bad for that mayor.