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The Los Angeles Lakers will play their final game while their home venue is still known as Staples Center on Thursday night, against the San Antonio Spurs.
On Wednesday morning, the team announced a lengthy list of plans to commemorate the occasion.
“To properly say farewell to the name of STAPLES Center, the Lakers will celebrate 22 years of Lakers History at STAPLES Center and will pay special tribute with numerous festivities on Thursday,” a press release said.
They include:
- A tribute video to be played prior to tip-off
- A commemorative t-shirt for fans that will replicate the first t-shirt given away at STAPLES Center, which came in June 2000, when the Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 7 to win the Western Conference
- Several Lakers legends will be in attendance for a halftime celebration featuring the NBA championship trophies.
- All fans will receive an exclusive commemorative ticket
- A special banner noting “22 Years of Lakers History at Staples Center” will be unveiled in the rafters.
The Lakers franchise won six NBA championships (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020) since playing at Staples Center, though the 2020 title was, of course, won in the bubble in Florida.
Goodbye, Staples Center. 😢💔
(via @SpecNews1SoCal)pic.twitter.com/xzZXyJLnHK
— Bally Sports (@BallySports) December 6, 2021
In November, AEG — which owns the downtown Los Angeles arena — announced a partnership with cryptocurrency exchange Crypto.com to rename the venue that hosts the Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Kings, and many other entertainment events.
The 20-year, $700 million deal is the most lucrative naming rights deal in sports history.
Beginning on Christmas Day, the arena will be officially renamed Crypto.com Arena.
