Profile: Staples Center

Fans betting on basketball and hockey have come to love watching games at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Home of both the Clippers and Lakers of the NBA and the young up and coming NHL franchise LA Kings, fans betting on the teams have experienced many highs and lows. Of the three teams, the Lakers are treated like Gods by the fan base as they have had the most success at the Staples Center.

The Staples Center was first opened on October 17, 1999 and is owned and operated by the LA Arena Company and Anschutz Entertainment Group. Aside from hosting the NBA and NHL, the Staples Center is also home to a WNBA franchise, the LA Sparks. As well as being the home arena for sports franchises, the Staples Center has become a main venue in Los Angeles, for concerts, boxing and the home of the Grammy Awards since 2004.

In March of 1998, the plans were made by the LA Arena Company and Anschutz Entertainment Group to privately fund the creation of the multipurpose Staples Center. It is located in downtown LA at 1111 S.Figueroa Street, directly beside the LA Convention Center and across the street from the LA Live building. The total construction cost for building the Staples Center was $375 Million.

Prior to coming to the Staples Center, the Lakers and Kings each played at the LA Forum. Nevertheless, two statues located outside the Staples Center pay tribute to two of the greatest players not only for the Lakers and Kings but also in the history of basketball and hockey. After much success in the early 1990s, the Staples Center owners felt it was proper to build a statue of the Great One Wayne Gretzky for the fans. As well for basketball, the Staples Center has a statue of basketball great Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Further when Kobe Bryant retires, fans should expect a third statue outside of the Staples Center of him.