L.A. Awarded '11 NBA All-Star Game, Part Of New Rotation Strategy
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L.A. Mayor Says All-Star Game At Staples
Center Will Pump $100M Into Local Economy |
The NBA announced yesterday that the '11 NBA All-Star Game will be played at Staples Center, according to Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. TIMES. The announcement marks a "quick turnaround for the event to be held in the same city," as L.A. also hosted the All-Star Game in '04. NBA Commissioner David Stern said the league is "likely to shorten the rotation a bit because it's getting more difficult to find cities with the kinds of amenities, close hotel accommodations, the convention center and the like, and L.A. has been a popular destination." Stern: "The last one was a great success, and with L.A. Live and the new hotel construction downtown, it will be even better for us." L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa added that the game would "pump $100[M] into the local economy and would be 'a great opportunity for us to show off L.A., particularly downtown L.A.'" (L.A. TIMES, 6/8). Stern also said that with "fewer cities equipped to handle the event, it could become more common for the game to quickly return to successful cities" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/8).
SEEKING WARMTH: Stern yesterday also said that Orlando is "expected to host an NBA All-Star Game shortly after its new arena is finished." Orlando "already has applied to host a game," and Magic COO Alex Martins said that the city has "'a good chance' to hold the event in 2012." Stern added that Orlando is a "natural candidate for the game, especially with the league leaning more to a rotation of cities" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/8). Stern said that he has "not received a bid from Boston for 2012," and Celtics President Rich Gotham said that the team "isn't currently looking into hosting." And while Stern said that cold weather is "'not a deal-breaker,' he also acknowledged warm-weather cities are more attractive to fans." Stern: "I think there's a pattern emerging. ... I think that our guests seem to come in greater numbers to warm weather." Stern added, "Not only do the owners and team representatives like warm weather, but our international broadcasters like tourist destinations" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/8).
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Stern Says MSG Officials Have Expressed
Interest In Hosting '12 NBA All-Star Game |
DRESSED TO IMPRESS: Stern said MSG officials have "mentioned their interest" in hosting the '12 game, with the facility's renovation "being their starting point." Stern said of the renovation, "I've seen the plans. It's spectacular." But in N.Y., Marc Berman writes MSG "might not be favorites because of the murkiness of its competition" (N.Y. POST, 6/8). NBA.com's Dave McMenamin noted Staples Center Owner AEG also "happens to own the O2 Arena in London as well as other state-of-the-art sports arenas around the world." AEG President & CEO Tim Leiweke said his company had a "great experience" with the league for an '07 preseason game between the Celtics and Raptors at O2 Arena. Leiweke: "Clearly they know it's the No. 1 arena right now in the world as far as events and activity, and we'd like to do something else with them over there." McMenamin noted Stern "joked that AEG is a small company that can't afford to bring the All-Star Game overseas" (NBA.com, 6/7).
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