Clippers owner Steve Ballmer plans to build a new arena in Inglewood, Calif. despite lawsuits that essentially pit the franchise against Knicks owner James Dolan, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN reports.
Dolan is the executive chairman and CEO of Madison Square Garden, which has owned the Forum — the former home of the Lakers — since 2011. The Forum is located in Inglewood and still hosts numerous events. MSG has two lawsuits pending, according to Youngmisuk, including one against the city of Inglewood and its mayor over building a new arena adjacent to the Forum.
Ballmer told reporters, including Youngmisuk, that he’s unfazed by the legal challenges. He’s eager for the team to have its own arena, rather than sharing one with the Lakers. The target date to move into the proposed arena is 2024, when the Clippers’ lease with Staples Center terminates.
“We are going to open that arena one way or another,” he said.
Ballmer invested $100M in the city of Inglewood last month. The investment was created as part of the city’s new arena development agreement and is focused on community programs.
Commissioner Adam Silver, who supports Ballmer’s plan to build the new arena, has talked to both owners about the legal action but isn’t ready to step in and settle the dispute.
Ballmer believes he’ll prevail in the end.
“We’re on a path where we think we can build the arena, whatever happens in the litigation,” he said. “We’re moving along. … The other side is just trying to slow us down a little bit. … I’m not sure they understand what they’ve gotten themselves into, from my perspective in the sense that we’ll just keep going.”
Man just go to Seattle or back to San Diego
What are you afraid of?
Thumbs down, booooooo
I totally agree Seattle would be perfect s and also San Diego . Just get the hell out of the Staples Center!!!
Typical Fakers fans.
Gotta go with Ballmer on this one. Why get out of Staples Center just to play in an arena owned by another NBA owner? Good for the Clips
Good fudge Dolan dude is a tard
Is Dolan the brightest bulb on the chandelier? Hell nah.
Would anyone else want to fight like hell if a state helped fund arenas/stadiums that are constructed in the same place you’ve been operating for almost a decade?
Yeah.
For example: small businesses are essentially evaporated when a Walmart opens up in the neighborhood. Now imagine a community’s mom-and-pop shops have to contend with a Walmart where the state is using taxpayer funds to foot a portion of the operating costs (to build the stadium in the Inglewood situation).
How does those business owners feel? (shareholders in the case of MSG — not Dolan, since MSG is a publicly traded company)
Details people.
Perhaps you missed the part about Balmer investing 100 million in the city.
Dolan is not the community; he’s the guy who is losing business. Of course he can try to block Ballmerland. IDK who’s likely to win.
This “community development” thing, that could be anything from givaways to building spaces for him to rent out.
What is with the obsession to put arenas in Inglewood?? There are so many places
In Los Angeles. Surely, they can find some land near downtown? I don’t live in Los Angeles, but can someone please enlighten me.
Ballmerland should be put into San Diego or Riverside/SanBern. There doesn’t need to be two NBA arenas in one town.
The Jets and Giants have played in the same stadium since 1976; they even built a new stadium together. At present the Rams & Chargers use the same atadium.
Ballmer claims the Clippers are third-priority tenants but that can be renegotiated by 2024. If the Staples ctr is inferior somehow build new for both.
Ego
It’s not ego, it’s a lack of revenue. Look at the warriors, making enough money to pay the entire roster before a game was even played in the new arena. It’s just good business. Although I really don’t understand the obsession with Inglewood. And dude is rich enough there shouldn’t be any tax payer money.