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So the Clippers aren't leaving after all. According the Los Angeles Times, the Clippers and STAPLES Center are close to an agreement to keep Donald Sterling's team playing in the same arena. The news comes after Anschutz Entertainment Group President Tim Leiweke told the Downtown News that STAPLES Center could make more money off of 5 concerts than 41 Clipper games. Leiweke claimed the statements were not a negotiating ploy.
"Though I love the newspaper, I don't believe you use the newspaper to negotiate," Leiweke said Sunday. "And in fact, it was a quote in the Downtown News. I certainly wouldn't have used that newspaper to negotiate."
Yeah, Tim... we were surprised you used the Downtonw News of all papers too. We've seen T.J. Simers make Leiweke look foolish in the past. Simers does that to a lot of people. But giving a scoop to the Downtown News? Come on, Tim, you're a smart sports executive. You should know better. That's embarrassing.
In the meantime, Clipper fans can rejoice that their future in Los Angeles is nearly secured, while basketball fans in Anaheim, Kansas City, St. Louis, and elsewhere bemoan another missed opportunity.
