The agreement at Intuit Dome extends a prior nine-year relationship between the brand and the teamKirby Lee/USA TODAY NETWORK
The Clippers have brought in Lexus as their fifth founding partner at the new Intuit Dome, a deal announced Wednesday that will include title sponsorship of a new Lexus Courtside Lounge created by celebrity interior designer Rita Konig. The agreement extends a prior nine-year relationship between the brand and the team, with Lexus also becoming the official luxury vehicle of the Clippers and Intuit Dome while receiving integrations across the arena’s main lobby, South VIP entrance and digital/broadcast outlets.
Lexus was represented by Team One in negotiations and joins Intuit, AT&T, Pechanga and Ticketmaster as the fledgling arena’s handful of founding partners. Other long-term Clippers sponsors expected to have a presence when Intuit Dome opens in August include Kia, State Farm, Gatorade, Chick-fil-A and CarMax.
"We've just seen a lot of demand on the Intuit Dome I think because it has also become more of a reality," said Scott Sonnenberg, Chief Commercial Officer of the Clippers and Intuit Dome. "We're three years into construction; three years is a long time. That's when we really started selling Intuit Dome was about three years ago. And now that it's becoming a reality, there's more and more focus on it, and more partnerships are coming to life. More of our premium spaces, premium suites and hospitality space are getting sold.
"I think it's all about momentum, and we've got great momentum right now. Not only on the floor [with the players] but also in the business space, as well. ... I can tell you even on the premium side and suites, we've sold about 10 premium spaces, suites and hospitality spaces in the last in the last couple of weeks."
Lexus has long had a significant connection to the Clippers at their current venue, Crypto.com Arena, where the company sponsors a Lexus Courtside Pop-Up Club in the bowels of the building -- a makeshift area underneath the stands that will become a permanent space with built-ins at Intuit Dome. "We’ll just be taking it up another level," Sonnenberg said.
Konig, its designer, crafted the elegant San Vicente Bungalows in West Hollywood and has been honored by AD100, House & Garden’s Top 100 and Elle Décor’s A-List. Lexus’ other activations in the Intuit Dome include Lexus Looks player fashion content and a Lexus dinner series.
