There have been reports about the Los Angeles Clippers' plan to move to a new arena, particularly in Inglewood in the near future, but that might not happen anytime soon, as James Dolan and his business associates could prevent it from happening.
According to a report from Stefan Bondy and Nancy Dillon of the New York Daily News, The Madison Square Garden Company filed a lawsuit in California Superior Court in March 2018 against the City of Inglewood and its mayor, James Butts, alleging that they held secret negotiations with the Clippers about building a new arena near The Forum.
The Forum was purchased by Dolan and Madison Square Garden in 2012 and reopened in 2014, and they claim to have reportedly invested $100 million in redeveloping the property in cooperation with the city, with a contractual agreement that the city would not attempt to attract another entertainment venue that would rival The Forum.
The lawsuit claims that the city and its mayor violated their agreement when they entered secret negotiations with Ballmer and the Clippers.
Over the past couple of years, the Clippers and Inglewood are steadily moving towards the construction of a new arena, because Ballmer wants the team to move out of Staples Center as soon as possible.
The Clippers have long been playing behind the shadow of the NBA's most prominent team, the Los Angeles Lakers. But with a roster that can contend for titles over the next three to five years, they want to make sure that they will be able to celebrate on their own home turf.
However, this lawsuit by Dolan and his business partners could prolong the Clippers' move to a new arena.
MSG released a statement Wednesday morning on the New York Daily News story.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correctly state that MSG filed the lawsuit in March 2018, not earlier this week. Furthermore, MSG purchased The Forum in 2012, not 2011. We have also linked to MSG's response to the New York Daily News story.
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