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Inglewood to Vote on LA Clippers Agreement

Los Angeles Clippers

Inglewood is closing in on an negotiation agreement that could lead to the construction of a new Los Angeles Clippers arena. 

On Thursday, the Inglewood City Council is expected to render its decision on whether to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with a Clippers-controlled company. The agreement would help in the discussions of a new arena that, if constructed, would allow the Clippers to leave the Staples Center.

Under the details that have been reported, a company controlled by the Clippers–Murphy’s Bowl LLC–would enter into a 36-month negotiation period, with the option to extend that deal by six months. If the agreement moves forward, the Clippers would build a new arena on 22 acres of land across the street from a stadium for the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers that is currently under construction.

It has been known for some time that the Clippers are considering their options for a new arena in the Los Angeles area. Down the road, the Clippers could purchase the site in question and privately finance the arena, though some details remain unknown as of right now. More from The Los Angeles Times:

But billionaire Clippers owner Steve Ballmer hasn’t hidden his desire for a new arena since purchasing the team for $2 billion in 2014. He would pay for the entire project in Inglewood, according to a person close to him. [Rams owner Stan] Kroenke is also privately financing his stadium.

If the arena moves forward, the Clippers would purchase the land — bounded by Century Avenue to the north and Yukon Avenue to the east — from the city, the Inglewood Successor Agency and third parties. The land is currently occupied by an assortment of businesses including a storage company, auto detailing shop and motel.

The agreement doesn’t disclose how much the Clippers would pay Inglewood for their land. And it tiptoes around the third parties who would need to sell their land in order for the stadium to move ahead, describing them as “potential participating parcels” and broaching the possibility of “eminent domain proceedings.” Those parcels make up around half of the site, according to a map attached to the agreement.

The team will be required to present initial renderings of the arena within 180 days of the agreement’s approval. The agreement calls for an 18,000- to 20,000-seat arena that is “state of the art” and includes on-site parking.

The Clippers’ current lease at the Staples Center runs through 2024.

RELATED STORIES: Report: Los Angeles Clippers Considering Inglewood Arena

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