Inglewood_Basketball_and_Entertainment_Center

Intuit Dome

Intuit Dome

Indoor arena under construction in Inglewood, California

Intuit Dome is an upcoming arena under construction in Inglewood, California. Located south of SoFi Stadium, it will be the new permanent home of the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), who are moving from Crypto.com Arena.

Quick Facts Former names, Location ...

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new arena was held on September 17, 2021. It is scheduled to open in August 2024, ahead of the 2024–25 NBA season.

History

In 2022, the City of Inglewood approved an exclusive negotiating agreement with the Los Angeles Clippers to build a new, basketball-specific arena for the team, which would be located across from the then-under construction SoFi Stadium.[3] The Clippers had not had their own arena since they left the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in 1999 for Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena), which they share with the Los Angeles Lakers and the NHL's Kings.

Throughout the team's history, it never had any tangible ownership interest in any of its home arenas. The Clippers instead rented its previous venues in Buffalo's Memorial Auditorium (as the Braves), where it held low priority beneath the Sabres and Canisius college basketball, then San Diego's Sports Arena when they became the Clippers, followed by the L.A. Sports Arena.

Its current deal with Crypto.com Arena allows for a different Clipper court, and requires a 'neutralization' process before and after each game to cover up and then restore Laker achievements, banners and sponsorships, along with setting its own court lighting pattern. In tightly-scheduled weekends, which may include Kings games and musical concerts in addition to the Lakers, the process often must be completed within a three- to four-hour window, including cleanup of the seating bowl from the previous event.[4] Clippers owner Steve Ballmer saw the construction of a dedicated arena for the team as being a high priority.[4][5][6]

Lawsuits

Various lawsuits were filed to prevent the construction of the arena. Uplift Inglewood filed a lawsuit alleging that the agreement between the Clippers and Inglewood violated the state Surplus Land Act, which requires that proposals for affordable housing, recreation, and school projects be given preference when a city intends to sell its public land.[7] Mayor James T. Butts Jr. argued that the proposed site had already been deemed unsuitable for residential use due to its proximity to Los Angeles International Airport.[8]

The Madison Square Garden Company—owner of The Forum, a nearby arena in Inglewood that formerly served as the Lakers' home arena—were accused of using litigation to block the new arena, fearing that it would unduly compete with The Forum's live events business.[5] MSG paid the legal fees of Inglewood Residents Against Takings and Evictions (IRATE), another group that filed lawsuits opposing the arena.[7] In December 2018, the Clippers (via its subsidiary Murphy's Bowl, LLC) filed a countersuit against MSG over the matter.[5]

In March 2019, leaked emails revealed that Irving Azoff attempted to lure the Los Angeles Lakers back to The Forum after their lease of Staples Center was up. Despite nothing coming of the proposal, Azoff's proposal to re-purpose The Forum was seen as a way of preventing the LA Clippers from building their own arena in Inglewood and ensuring that the Madison Square Garden Company got an unfair advantage over rival AEG, which is a Lakers minority owner.[9] In November 2019, a judge ruled against Uplift Inglewood's lawsuit.[7] In December 2019, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved the new arena, after evaluating the arena's environmental impact.[10]

Construction and opening

Intuit Dome under construction in October 2023.

In March 2020, in a move to settle the litigation with MSG, Ballmer announced that he would acquire The Forum for $400 million in an all-cash deal. The sale was completed in May, with all existing employees retained under the new ownership. The acquisition of The Forum was considered to be the last major hurdle blocking the construction of the new arena.[11][12]

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 17, 2021. Ballmer described a goal for the new arena to be a "basketball palazzo".[13] A 23-year naming rights deal for at least $500 million was announced with Mountain View, California based financial software company Intuit, naming the arena Intuit Dome.[14] On April 5, 2024, it was announced that Bruno Mars would open Intuit Dome with back-to-back shows on August 15 and 16, 2024.[15]

Events

2026 NBA All-Star Game

The arena will host the 2026 NBA All-Star Game on February 15, 2026.[16]

2028 Summer Olympics

The arena will serve as a basketball venue during the 2028 Summer Olympics.[17]

Concerts

Bruno Mars will play the venue's inaugural shows on August 15 and 16,[15] followed by Contemporary Christian musicians Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham on August 22 as part of their Summer Worship Nights tour,[18] and Twenty One Pilots on August 27 and 28 as part of The Clancy World Tour.[19]

Usher's Past Present and Future tour will perform at the arena from September 21–25, 2024.[20] Weezer's Voyage to the Blue Planet tour will perform at the Intuit Dome on October 11, 2024,[21] followed by Billy Joel the following night.[22]

Stand-up comedy

Sebastian Maniscalco will perform at Intuit Dome on August 17, as part of his It Ain't Right tour.[23][15]

Features

On July 25, 2019, the Clippers released renderings of the proposed arena.[24] The 18,000-seat arena will be designed by AECOM. It will include a practice facility, sports medicine clinic, team offices, retail space and a large outdoor plaza with basketball courts that will be open to the public.[25][26][27]

The practice facility will be 85,000 square feet (7,900 m2), the team offices 55,000 square feet (5,100 m2) and the sports medicine clinic 25,000 square feet (2,300 m2). An additional 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2) are set aside for retail and 260,000 square feet (24,000 m2) for the outdoor plaza.[25]

The Clippers have also launched a project where they will display basketball jerseys from high schools across the state of California on the arena's rafters.[28]

The arena will also have over 1,100 toilets and urinals, three times the league average to allow fans to return to their seats quicker instead of waiting in long lines.[29]

There is a five story Fairfield by Marriott hotel adjacent to the Intuit Dome's east garage, expected to break ground April 2024, and open June 2026. A fifteen story Ayra Hotel south of the arena on 102nd Street is currently planned to be constructed by 2026.[30]

References

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    Polina, Richard (March 3, 2024). "Teens break into Clippers' new $2B arena, wreak havoc in TikTok footage: 'Posting this is crazy'". New York Post. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
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    Malone, David (July 29, 2019). "L.A. Clippers unveil design for new Inglewood arena". Building Design + Construction. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
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    "New LA Clippers arena approved by Inglewood City Council". NBA. Associated Press. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
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    "LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer still seeking Inglewood arena for team". NBA. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  5. [5]
    Friend, Nick (December 18, 2018). "Inglewood arena row: LA Clippers launch MSG countersuit". SportsPro. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
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    Mantle, Larry (May 16, 2012). "Lakers, Clippers, Kings share LA's Staples Center for playoffs games". AirTalk. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
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    Fenno, Nathan (November 7, 2019). "Judge rules against lawsuit opposing proposed arena for Clippers". Los Angeles Times.
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    Chiland, Elijah (June 19, 2018). "Inglewood residents sue to block Clippers arena". Curbed LA.
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    Fenno, Nathan (March 14, 2019). "Must Reads: Lakers explored leaving Staples Center for return to Forum, emails reveal". Los Angeles Times.
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    "Clippers Arena Gets Approval, Inglewood Rises Again". City of Inglewood. Retrieved December 5, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  11. [11]
    Pedersen, Erik (May 4, 2020). "Los Angeles Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer Closes Deal To Buy The Forum From MSG – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
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    Young, Jabari (March 25, 2020). "Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer buys the Forum for $400 million in cash". CNBC. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
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    Golliver, Ben. "The NBA's richest owner enters the arena arms race". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  14. [14]
    Young, Jabari (September 17, 2021). "Steve Ballmer's LA Clippers strike $500 million-plus arena naming-rights deal with TurboTax owner Intuit". CNBC. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
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    Haring, Bruce (April 5, 2024). "L.A. Clippers' New Intuit Dome Will See Bruno Mars As Its Opening Act". Deadline. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
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    "Los Angeles and LA Clippers to host NBA All-Star 2026". NBA. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  17. [17]
    Golliver, Ben (January 16, 2024). "Clippers' Intuit Dome will host 2026 NBA All-Star Game, 2028 Olympics". The Washington Post.
  18. [18]
    "Phil Wickham & Brandon Lake Summer Worship Nights Tour at Intuit Dome on THU Aug 22, 2024, 7:00 PM". Live Nation. March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  19. [19]
    "The Clancy World Tour". Twenty One Pilots.
  20. [20]
    Saponara, Michael (February 6, 2024). "Usher Announces Past Present Future North American Tour: See the Dates". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  21. [21]
    "Voyage to the Blue Planet Tour". Instagram. March 11, 2024.
  22. [22]
    Olinger, Sandra B. (February 26, 2024). "Billy Joel Announces Los Angeles Concert at New Intuit Dome". Grimy Goods.
  23. [23]
    "Event Schedule". Intuit Dome. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  24. [24]
    "Clippers unveil renderings of proposed arena". ESPN News. July 26, 2019.
  25. [25]
    Fenno, Nathan (February 20, 2018). "New details of Clippers' proposed Inglewood arena complex revealed". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  26. [26]
    "Notice Of Preparation Of A Draft Environmental Impact Report And Public Scoping Meeting" (Press release). City of Inglewood. February 20, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  27. [27]
    Oram, Bill (June 16, 2017). "Clippers take first steps to Inglewood arena while keeping options open". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  28. [28]
    "Clippers' Intuit Dome to showcase California high school basketball jerseys". Fox 11 News. Fox Television Stations. January 31, 2024. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  29. [29]
    Selbe, Nick (March 8, 2023). "Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer is ECSTATIC About the Toilets at Team's New Arena". Sports Illustrated.
  30. [30]
    Sharp, Steven (February 13, 2024). "15-story hotel planned next to new L.A. Clippers arena in Inglewood". Urbanize LA. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
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