LA Clippers arena that is set to open in 2024. This arena will be located in Inglewood, California, right across the street from the Los Angeles sports and entertainment district, where the Rams and Chargers new stadium is being built. The Clippers arena will be a part of a massive development that includes training facilities, outdoor basketball courts, and more. Let’s dive into all the details about this billion-dollar project.
The centerpiece of the development will be an 18,500-seat state-of-the-art basketball arena. This arena is said to be one of the most technologically advanced basketball arenas ever built. It will feature the latest advancements in technology and design, providing an unparalleled experience for fans. In addition to the arena, the Clippers will also have their training facility, medical center, restaurants, shops, outdoor basketball courts, and a park. This will create an awesome entertainment district in Inglewood, adjacent to the new Rams and Chargers Stadium.
One of the great things about this project is that it is 100% privately funded and financed by Steve Ballmer, the owner of the Clippers, and his creditors. Not a single dime will be paid by Inglewood taxpayers. In fact, the Clippers have worked out a deal to provide the city of Inglewood with $100 million for city development. This money will go towards affordable housing, community initiatives, renovating the public library, and fixing up the public basketball courts throughout Inglewood parks. It’s a win-win situation for the city and the community.
The Clippers arena will also be one of the first of its kind to be fully LED Gold certified and environmentally sustainable. It meets all the environmental standards required by the city and the county. The arena will have solar panels, electrical vehicle charging stations, zero net greenhouse gas emissions, and will be totally carbon neutral. This commitment to sustainability is commendable and sets a new standard for future developments.
Behind the scenes, there has been a lot of drama and a battle of billionaires to get this project approved. On one side, you have Steve Ballmer, the charismatic owner of the Clippers, who is worth between 50 and 60 billion dollars. On the other side, you have Jim Dolan, the owner of the New York Knicks, who is universally hated in the sports industry. Dolan owns the Forum, which is located just a few blocks away from the proposed Clippers arena. He sees this new development as competition for the concerts and events held at the Forum.
Mayor James Butts of Inglewood has been a major player in this entire saga. He has been the mayor since 2010 and has been instrumental in the development of Inglewood. Butts has brought down crime, created a lot of development, and has been reelected in landslide victories. When Ballmer bought the Clippers in 2014, he made it his goal to create an identity and love for the Clippers within LA separate from the Lakers. He looked for options for a new stadium and came to an agreement with the city of Inglewood in 2017 for exclusive negotiating rights for this major development. This move angered Dolan, who viewed it as competition and believed that Butts tricked him into giving up his rights to the land necessary for the building of the Clippers arena.
Dolan has done everything within his power to prevent this development from going forward. He funded a mayoral candidate in Inglewood in 2018, hoping to defeat Butts in the election. However, his candidate only received 18% of the vote, and Butts won in a landslide. Despite this setback, Dolan continues to fund lawsuits and throw up red tape to delay the project.
As of December 2019, the arena has passed California Air Resources Board requirements, and groundbreaking may happen in the next few months. Once completed, the Clippers arena will be a major addition to the sports and entertainment district in Inglewood. With the Rams, Chargers, and now the Clippers all calling Inglewood home, the city is positioned to be the hub for sports and entertainment in Los Angeles for decades to come.
The newly announced and approved Clippers arena in Inglewood is set to be a game-changer for the city and the community. With its state-of-the-art design, private funding, and commitment to environmental sustainability, the arena will provide an unparalleled experience for fans while also benefiting the city through community initiatives. Despite the battle of billionaires and attempts to stop the development, Inglewood is poised to become the sports and entertainment hub of Los Angeles with the addition of the Clippers arena. The future looks bright for Inglewood, and we can’t wait to see this billion-dollar project come to life.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Clippers arena and other developments in the Los Angeles sports and entertainment district.
