• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Intuit Dome Finally Opens As Clippers Hope for Fresh Start

  • The Clippers have shared Crypto.com Arena with the Lakers since 1999.
  • The new arena reportedly cost $2 billion to build.
LA Clippers

The Clippers have finally escaped from their big brother—at least logistically.

The Intuit Dome, a $2 billion structure in Inglewood, Calif., officially opened Thursday, beginning with two concerts from Bruno Mars. The privately funded arena will be the new home of the Clippers after the team spent the last 25 years sharing Crypto.com Arena, formerly Staples Center, with the Lakers.

Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft who is one of the 10 richest people in the U.S., funded the arena with the help of a 23-year naming-rights deal with Intuit worth $500 million. While the state did not pay a single dollar for the arena, Ballmer also pledged $100 million to invest in Inglewood, with $80 million going toward affordable housing. 

The Intuit Dome, which Ballmer hopes to make a “basketball mecca,” features electrical outlets at every seat, a double-sided halo board the size of an acre, T-shirt cannons that can target every seat, and perhaps Ballmer’s most famous declaration—a whole lot of toilets and urinals.

“Toilets! 1,160 toilets and urinals, three times the NBA average number of toilets and urinals!” Ballmer said last year. “We do not want people waiting in line. We want them to get back to their damn seats at the end of the half.”

The new arena was part of Ballmer’s vision when he purchased the Clippers in 2014 for $2 billion. At the time, he was criticized for overpaying for the franchise, but the team is now worth $4.65 billion, according to Forbes.

A Clippers Rebirth

When Ballmer acquired the Clippers, the team was in the middle of the best era in franchise history. But the Clippers have struggled to draw attention away from the Lakers in Los Angeles. The NBA team has yet to reach the Finals, while the Lakers boast the second-most titles in league history.

The Clippers’ roster isn’t exactly in the best position as it opens this new arena, with All-Star Paul George departing for the 76ers in free agency, while two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard was replaced on the gold-medal-winning Team USA roster.

But the move to the Intuit Dome at least allows the Clippers to literally separate themselves from the Lakers. The team also launched a rebrand for this season, which means a completely fresh look when they welcome basketball fans to their new arena on Oct. 23 for their preseason homer opener against the Suns.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 1, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at PNC Park.

MLB ASG Missing Many Highly Paid Stars, Clearing Path for Youth

Many of MLB’s top earners are not part of the Midsummer Classic.

Has the WNBA Outgrown the Matinee Madness of Camp Days?

Caitlin Clark will return from injury in a Wednesday noon game.
Jonas

Jonas Valančiūnas Is Cryptic About Nuggets Standoff in Lithuania

The Nuggets expect Valančiūnas to honor his NBA contract. 
Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks first overall pick Cooper Flagg speaks to the media during a press conference at the Dallas Mavericks Practice Facility.

Cooper Flagg–Bronny James Summer League Tickets Average $201

The average purchase price on resale platform TickPick is $201.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”

Chiefs Delay Stadium Decision As Kansas Dangles Dome Dreams

Kansas legislators extend bonds for potential Chiefs and Royals facilities.
July 2, 2025

Commanders’ $3.8B Stadium Deal in Jeopardy? Mayor Sounds the Alarm

Political tensions rise about delays in stadium funding approval.
Jul 3, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Jannik Sinner (ITA) returns a shot during his match against Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) on day seven at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 7, 2025

Wimbledon’s Expansion Battle Looms Over Star-Studded Quarterfinals

The expansion’s loudest opposition is Save Wimbledon Park.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 1, 2025

$600M for Browns Stadium Sparks Cleveland Backlash, Possible Lawsuit

The awarding of public funds draws criticism and could bring a lawsuit.
June 29, 2025

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
June 26, 2025

Bengals Strike 10-Year, $470M Stadium Deal to Stay in Cincinnati

The NFL franchise and Hamilton County have agreed to a new lease.
June 26, 2025

Browns $2.4B Stadium Plan Now Relies on Ohioans’ Forgotten Money

Ohio’s Modell Law is revised, while stadium funding faces new challenges.