The beloved Staples Center has been a source of many memories for fans and players alike. We’ve seen greats like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant play within those walls. However, despite all of this, it seems as though there are changes to the arena on the horizon.
It was previously reported that the arena will change names, going from Staples Center to Crypto.com Arena. Crypto.com is reportedly paying $700 million for a 20-year naming deal.
“AEG ‘quietly bought back the naming rights from Staples, owned by 2019 by private equity firm Sycamore Partners… Staples originally paid $120 million for a 20-year naming rights deal in 1999.’ Crypto-com will pay $700 million for a 20-year deal for Crypto-com Arena.”
“The Hong Kong-based CEO of Crypto.com has never been to a Lakers game (or any event) at the Staples Center. But he’ll be at the game on December 25, when his company takes over the naming rights for the iconic LA arena.
There have already been some changes to the signage outside of the arena. Some crews were recently photographed while removing “Staples Center” signage from the arena. Despite the upcoming name change, many fans have expressed that they will always remember the arena as the Staples Center.
Former Laker Josh Hart has recently stated that the arena is “always going to be Staples Center” for him. It was named Staples Center during his time in Los Angeles, and it makes sense that he’d be fond of that particular name.
Always going to be Staples Center https://t.co/Mcf5KAJ8Un
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) December 6, 2021
There is no question that a lot of fans watched some incredible basketball during the arena’s time as the Staples Center. However, that shouldn’t change much, as the name change won’t necessarily affect the basketball being played inside.
Hopefully, we see new fans embrace the change and create new memories in the future. However, it is understandable why some fans aren’t necessarily responsive to the change. The legacy of Staples Center will live on though, as fans will reminisce on the legendary moments that happened in there for a long time.
