A little over a month ago, the Clippers announced that the newly formed CAPPS LLC would purchase the Inglewood Forum from the Madison Square Garden Entertainment (MSGE) Corporation. Now, the Clippers have announced that the purchase has been completed.

With the Forum officially under Steve Ballmer’s control, the Clippers new stadium in Inglewood can proceed on the long road towards launch. Not only does owning the Forum clear out objections from MSGE, but it will enable the Clippers to organize traffic and events in the area, making the arena more positive to local residents.

As stated earlier, the Clippers will keep the Forum’s staff on the payroll, which is not just a good thing to do for the employees, but a smart order of business. The Forum mostly hosts music, entertainment, and various sports events, enabling a symbiotic relationship with the Clippers’ new facility.

There might be no NBA basketball at the present, but there are sill happenings in the NBA, and the Clippers’ progression towards their new arena counts as a major development. Hopefully, the purchase of the Forum will mark a key step in the road towards a new, modern, all-Clippers stadium.

The Clippers Have Completed the Purchase of he Forum
Robert Flom

According to an announcement from the L.A. Clippers, newly-formed CAPSS LLC has reached an agreement with MSG to purchase The Forum in Inglewood for $400 million dollars in cash. Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer and Vice Chairman Dennis Wong were behind the formation of CAPSS LLC and the purchase of The Forum.

MSG’s ownership of The Forum was one of the final major obstacles between Ballmer and the construction of a new L.A. Clippers arena in Inglewood, California. MSG had concerns that The Forum, which had been converted from a basketball arena to a concert venue, would face competition from a new, state of the art stadium. By purchasing the Forum, Ballmer has with one stroke removed that obstacle, clearing the way for the Inglewood stadium to be built.

The Clippers have stated that the Forum will continue to operate as a music and show venue, and that all of its employees will be offered new contracts as part of the merged organization. By operating both facilities, the Clippers can coordinate the schedules, relieving traffic and enabling fans to go to different events (both music and sports) that they’d like.

The bottom line is that despite starting with many obstacles, Steve Ballmer’s dream of building a new, true home for the Clippers in Inglewood is becoming more of a reality every day. With the Forum now in Ballmer’s hands, and all accompanying litigation resolved, the Clippers should be free to proceed with construction of the new stadium without fear. There’s no basketball being played, but this is still a landmark day for the Clippers brand and organization.

Steve Ballmer Purchases Inglewood’s Forum, Clearing Way for new LAC Arena
Robert Flom