Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer yesterday confirmed that the team is in preliminary talks about building a new arena, calling it an “option” after its Staples Center lease expires in June '24. Speaking at the '16 NeuLion Sports Media & Technology Conference, Ballmer praised AEG-owned Staples Center, but said a new generation of basketball-specific arenas in Sacramento and Oklahoma City serve the fan experience better. When asked if there is anything to the reported site scouting and meetings with architects, Ballmer replied, “Of course there is.” Ballmer: “When you have seven or eight years left on your lease, at least the last time I checked with my friends in the real estate business, you'd better have an option other than just going back to your current landlord hat in hand. ... We’re going to have real options. We're sort of putting those options together today.” Ballmer made similar remarks about options to the L.A. Times in '15, but had not previously confirmed active work toward a new facility (Ben Fischer, Staff Writer). Ballmer said, “Staples is a great building, but if you look around the NBA, there are other great buildings that were optimized for basketball.” In California, Dan Woike notes three locations were identified in July as "early possibilities" for a new arena. Ballmer said, "If you want to build a new building, you can’t come up with that idea six months before the start of the season and sign a contract. There’s a long period that would be required to put a site together, get it permitted et cetera. So, we’re out now evaluating options.” He added arenas designed solely for basketball are “closer, feel more intimate” and the “noise gets louder and the sight-lines get better” (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 10/6).
THIRD WHEEL: ESPN’s Marcellus Wiley said leaving Staples Center is a "mandatory move" for Ballmer, as the Clippers are "third tenants" in a building that also houses the Lakers and NHL Kings. Wiley: "They get the worst scheduling, the worst of the percentages, ticketing, suite sales. They’re at the bottom. They know they have to go somewhere to have their own arena, and he's the richest owner in sports so he can do it.” ESPN’s Amin Elhassan said of Balmer, “He can pay for it" ("SportsNation,” ESPN, 10/5).
