The Los Angeles Lakers announced Tuesday they will stay in Staples Center through 2041 after agreeing to an extension with Anschutz Entertainment Group, the owners of the building.
The Lakers have called Staples Center home since the 1999 NBA season, making it over 22 years since they’ve played in the arena. The new extension guarantees they’ll remain there for more than 40 years.
The Lakers and AEG also agreed to make several significant capital improvements and upgrades throughout the building in a separate agreement from the extension.
“We are excited to extend our partnership with AEG. Staples Center ranks as one of the best arenas in the world to play and watch basketball and we are thrilled to be able to call it home for another two decades,” said Jeanie Buss, president and governor of the Lakers, in the official statement.
“There is no doubt that our partnership with the Buss family and the Lakers solidified the arena’s legendary status from the beginning and brought some of the most memorable moments in sports and entertainment history to fans,” said Dan Beckerman, CEO and president of AEG.
“We look forward to another 20 years of our successful partnership with the Lakers and believe that the investments we are making will ensure that STAPLES Center remains the epicenter for sports and entertainment, delivering the most exciting events in the world,” Beckerman said.
From hoisting championships to being the arena where legends like Kobe Bryant made their mark, Staples Center is embedded in Lakers’ history.
Now, it’ll be home to the team’s current playoff run, as Los Angeles prepares to play the Phoenix Suns in Game 3.
