The LA Clippers said this week that Lexus will be named “the official luxury vehicle of the LA Clippers and Intuit Dome,” with a Lexus Courtside Lounge at the new arena. Lexus joins naming rights partner Intuit and AT&T, Pechanga, and Ticketmaster as Intuit Dome Founding Partners. Ex-Microsoft pooh-bah Steve Balmer now owns and runs the Clippers. The monetarily peripatetic team was formerly of Buffalo and San Diego.
The Clippers history with arenas is troubled. They fled the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in 1999 for Staples Center (nowadays Crypto.com Arena; that’s com not con), which they shared as an unloved stepchild with the Los Angeles Lakers and the National Hockey League’s LA Kings. The rental deal with the Lakers required the removing and then re-installation of Laker memorabilia and sponsorship logos and other stuff before and after their games. Hardly five easy pieces – so to Jack Nicholson speak – with our fond memories of his courtside Lakers seats where he held court at the Forum and Staples Center.
“As a longstanding partner of the LA Clippers, Lexus is proud to support the team as it moves into its new home Intuit Dome,” said Marcus Williams, general manager, Lexus Western Area. “We look forward to elevating the fan experience of Clipper Nation and concertgoers at the Lexus Courtside Lounge, delivering a premium destination only Lexus could offer.”
The Lexus Courtside Lounge will provide (marketing babble alert> what’s claimed to be a “high-end hospitality experience for floor seat holders at all Intuit Dome events, including Clippers games and concerts. It is designed by Rita Konig, who has AD100, House & Garden Top 100, and ELLE DECOR A-List plaudits. Konig’s ideas for the space include the layered finishes she is known for, such as fabric walling and using mirrors and brass finishes to reflect light around and create what’s said to be intrigue and glamor.