In the two months since Staples Center has opened,
"more than half a million fans have come for a look at their
new 20,000-seat hangout," according to David Wharton of the
L.A. TIMES. Wharton: "Many have praised the arena's sleek
design and amenities. Others have been relieved to find
manageable traffic and parking. But the building has
suffered bugs and glitches: air conditioning that blows too
cold, lights that are too bright and a sound system that
hasn't always reached the highest seats. And while
management scrambles to fix these problems, one troubling
issue shows no sign of dying, the perception that this $400-
million edifice -- the costliest of its kind -- has
forsaken the common man. So the get-acquainted process has
not been entirely smooth." Fans are separated from "high-
paying ticket holders who have a private entrance and a
spacious concourse with plush carpeting and subdued
lighting." Lakers fan Chimyere Love calls the building
"impressive," but notes the different benefits for premium
ticket holders: "It's kind of classist, isn't it? That's
disappointing." But Staples Center President Tim Leiweke
said, "We're not trying to run an elitist building. We have
spent a lot of money on customer comforts at all levels." A
lack of crowd noise has been reported (see THE DAILY, 12/15)
and arena management "can only hope fans wake up." Leiweke:
"They're still kind of walking in and staring around. We
haven't heard the place hopping yet" (L.A. TIMES, 12/17).
