When i <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/nba-results-indomitable-grizzlies-11th-victory-in-a-row-peak-clean/" title="NBA results – Indomitable Grizzlies, 11th victory in a row. Peak clean”>Los Angeles Clippers were purchased by Steve Ballmer in 2014, it was immediately clear that the Californian franchise was about to enter a new era, moving away from the shadow of Los Angeles Lakers. However, ten years later, something is still missing on the field: the most important and awaited goal, the first champions title NBAis still a mirage, despite the efforts of the owners and the arrivals of Kawhi Leonard e Paul George (and, before them, the era Lob City led by Chris Paul e Blake Griffin). Not only that: the Clippers have never reached the NBA Finals, despite having often been considered among the favorites in the autumn power rankings of recent seasons. Until they manage to hang that much desired banner, the Velieri will have to live with the label of a losing franchise, no longer due to the historic lack of competitiveness, but due to the recent inability to take the final step. Off the field, however, the advent of Ballmer – as well as driving away the memory of the previous ownership led by Donald Sterlingremoved following the serious events of 2014 – has effectively transformed the landscape.
The former CEO of Microsoft, one of the richest men in the United States, bought the franchise for the record sum of two billion dollars, a sum that at the time was considered excessive by the majority of experts. Today, according to Forbes, the value of the Clippers has more than doubled. Since his arrival, Ballmer has placed the construction of a new arena at the center of his project despite the fact that at the time of his arrival a ten-year renewal had just been signed with the then Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena), to continue to share the structure with i Lakers (NBA) and Kings (NHL). Already in a 2015 interview, however, his intentions were clear: he wanted a new home for the Clippers by the end of that contract. «We are the third to arrive here, and as far as dates and calendar choices are concerned we are clearly the third option»commented the owner of the Clippers, referring to the privileged treatment always reserved for the Lakers and Kings. «If you are a good businessman, you don’t get to the end of a lease without having a better alternative: we will have that option».
Flash-forward all’estate 2024, ed here we are at the inauguration of the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Los Angelesthe new home of Clipper Nation. And looking even further ahead, the arena has already been designated as the venue for the 2026 All-Star Game and games in the 2028 Olympic Games.
A new era
The possession of a new plant and its exclusive use represents an enormous added value from several points of view for Steve Ballmer and his associates. Not only as an asset and heritage of the franchise, but also for an identity and cultural issue, as confirmed by the centrality of public involvement. It fits into this perspective The Wallthe 4,500 seat sector (51 rows) reserved exclusively for Clippers fans and designed – through the cost policy (32 dollars per game, third row included) and the access rules (there is a sort of dress code that for exclude opposing fans) – to light up the atmosphere of the Intuit Dome. The basic idea is to shape a cheering culture inspired by the European modelin short, similar to that of Borussia Dortmund, and make it its own distinctive trait. If the Lakers are the point of reference for Hollywood celebrities, the Clippers want to increasingly become the team of the people of Los Angeles.
Sort of rebrandingtherefore, which also passes through the image delivered to spectators all over the world during the matches. But also to the players of the NBA itself, who have already recently shown a growing attraction towards the team; after all, despite being a saturated or almost saturated market, Los Angeles guarantees a series of non-negligible advantages. «Breaking away from the shadow of the Lakers is not a simple undertaking, but we are working to build and strengthen our identity»Ballmer said in a recent interview. He then addressed the fanbase, underlining the centrality of the new arena in the process: «All of you, fans but also professionals, deserve the best playing field: you will have it here, in Inglewood». After the classic ribbon cutting in August and then the inauguration with a concert by Bruno Marsfollowed by the pre-season debut against the Golden State Warriors, the Intuit Dome is now expected to debut in the regular season: the date is October 23the day on which much more than a new season will begin for the Clippers.
The sand of the future
@sports.illustrated Steve Ballmer is a man for the people The Clippers new arena, the Intuit Dome, will have over 1100 TOILETS
Overall cost two billion dollarsof which approximately 25% was financed by Intuit Inc. (a company specializing in corporate software) for the naming rights until 2047, the system represents a unicum in the NBA world and beyond. In addition to the pitch that will be used for the matches and the 18,000 seats that make up the stands, the structure includes four training pitches and a outdoor plaza with bars, restaurants, big screen, official team store, swimming pool and various areas intended for commercial activities. To enrich the spectators’ experience, a power socket has been set up for every single seat, in addition to the beauty of 1,500 bathrooms inside the building (a record obviously), «to ensure that during a timeout everyone can go and return without queuing and without losing a single possession»we read in the organisation’s official press release.
And the best is yet to come, because nothing has been said so far about the real flagship of the arena. It is about theHalo Boarda giant screen without equals – in terms of size and technological specifications – in the global sports scene. That is, a double-sided 360-degree oval-shaped display, which stands out above the pitch and on which an infinite variety of information on the match in progress will flow: basic statistics and advanced data, shot maps, replays, highlights, counter of decibels, videos and various contents during breaks, and even one Ballmer Cam to monitor the owner’s reactions to the most spectacular plays. In short, a revolution designed to integrate the live experience with the support that technology usually provides to those watching the match from home. Seeing is believing, have a safe journey into the future.
