Clippers may be game for a new arena on the Westside

This is according to Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.

From the Clippers’ decision to cover the Lakers’ championship banners during home games to the griping about the weekend afternoon start times, life as the third tenant at Staples Center has come with some problems. However, it is not yet clear which arena the team will be moving in.

Paul Pierce is planning on returning to the Los Angeles Clippers for the 16-17 season, according to a source. Hopefully Kevin will have a bit more meat in his article, but as of right now all we can do is wait.

Though the Clippers organization would “neither confirm nor deny they are actively searching for a location”, the pieces look to already be in motion for a minor relocation of the Los Angeles Clippers. While that might be just a bit of an exaggeration, there can be no doubt that Steve is now looking exclusively in the LA (or at worst SoCal) area for the new arena. More news will assuredly come out on these developments, but nothing Clippers fans have to worry about in the short-term.

Arnovitz reported that because the Clippers are classified as a “third tenant” after the Lakers and Los Angeles Kings, the team is not entitled to an even split of revenue generated via ticket sales for luxury seating. Also, sharing an arena, they miss out on the financial benefits of owning their own arena.

Also, earlier this month, Balmer spoke at the GeekWire Sports Tech Summit in Seattle and stated his commitment to keeping the team in LA.

However, leaving Staples Center won’t be happening any time soon for the Clippers. This is because the franchise still does not have their own training center. The 38-year-old Pierce is now debating whether to return for his 19th National Basketball Association season and is under contract with the Clippers for the next two seasons. Before joining Los Angeles, Pierce played one season each with the Nets and Wizards.