STAPLES CENTER

The Staples Center was initially conceived as part of a larger plan to reinvigorate the downtown Los Angeles area. Billionaire Philip Anschutz, who owned the Los Angeles Kings, partnered with Ed Roski Jr., the Los Angeles Lakers owner, to form the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG). The duo envisioned a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex attracting tourists and locals alike.

Construction on the Staples Center began in 1997, intending to create a venue to accommodate multiple sports, including basketball, hockey, and arena football. The $375 million project was funded through private investments, loans, and public bonds. The arena finally opened on October 17, 1999, with a concert by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.

The Staples Center quickly became home to multiple professional sports teams, including all games played by the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers of the NBA, and the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL. Additionally, it housed the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA and the now-defunct Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League.