Steve Ballmer nearing deal to purchase The Forum in Inglewood

The LA Clippers are about to clear one major roadblock in their efforts to build a new arena complex.

ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz reported Sunday that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is in advanced talks to purchase The Forum in Inglewood, which is currently owned by Madison Square Garden Co. Ballmer and the city of Inglewood have been embroiled in a messy legal battle with MSG Co. for the last two years over Ballmer’s parcel of land, which sits roughly a mile away from The Forum and upon which he has planned to build a new home arena for the Clippers.

Arvovitz adds that selling The Forum, the old home of the Los Angeles Lakers and now one of the biggest concert venues in the state, proved to be the path of least resistance for both sides, which have already spent tens of millions of dollars in legal fees. The Forum will also continue to operate until a Clippers arena is fully constructed.

The Clippers’ current lease at Staples Center expires in 2024, and Ballmer has been vocal about his desire to have the team forge their own path with their own arena instead of continuing to share one with the Lakers. The plans for the new complex in Inglewood are pretty grandiose, and having The Forum under their control will definitely make the Clippers’ lives a lot easier.

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