The 2018 All-Star Game will be played at Staples Center, commissioner Adam Silver announced Tuesday. He revealed the news in a press conference at the downtown arena that serves as home to both the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Silver was accompanied by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti; Dan Beckerman, president and chief executive officer of AEG, which owns Staples Center; and Kathy Schloessman, president of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission.

"Los Angeles is known for first-class hospitality and entertainment, making it the perfect host for NBA All-Star," Silver said. "The city is home to some of the most passionate basketball fans in addition to extraordinary facilities, including Staples Center and L.A. Live."

According to USA Today, other candidates for the 2018 All-Star Game included Indianapolis and Miami. Sacramento, Calif., will open a new arena this fall, and it is aiming to land the 2019 All-Star Game.

The All-Star weekend will be held at Staples Center for the third time, following 2004 and 2011. The Los Angeles area will be the host city for a record sixth time. The L.A. Sports Arena was the site in 1963, and the Forum in Inglewood played host in 1972 and 1983.

Beckerman said, "We are proud that the NBA has selected Staples Center, L.A. Live and the L.A. Convention Center to host NBA All-Star for the third time in just 14 years. All-Star in Los Angeles will bring worldwide attention, thousands of fans and over $100 million of economic activity to our City. We believe that L.A. Live, with its variety of venues, hotels and other hospitality options, creates a true headquarters district that will be the ideal showcase for NBA All-Star 2018.

"Finally, on behalf of AEG, we thank our partners at the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission for your commitment to bring back this incredible event and thank Commissioner Silver and the NBA for your faith in our great City."

Both Los Angeles NBA teams hailed the announcement.

"All-Star is a premiere event, so it's fitting that it'll be hosted by Los Angeles, the premiere sports city in America, and by Staples Center, one of the premiere arenas in the world," Lakers president and co-owner Jeanie Buss said. "2004 and 2011 proved what a great combination this is, and 2018 will prove it again."

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer said, "Since becoming part of L.A. through my ownership of the Clippers, I've witnessed firsthand the passion this city has for basketball and celebrating world-class talent, and I can't wait to see what's in store for both players and fans during NBA All-Star 2018," said Ballmer. "I'm also thrilled that Mayor Garcetti and the city of Los Angeles will be able to show off their vision and the incredible evolution of downtown L.A."

The 2018 All-Star weekend will begin Feb. 16, with the Rising Stars Challenge, which features first- and second-year players. The next night will include the skills challenge, 3-point shootout and slam dunk contest. The All-Star Game is scheduled for Feb. 18.

"Los Angeles is one of the world's great basketball cities -- a place where players become legends and great NBA moments last forever," Garcetti said. "Now we will make history again, in 2018, by hosting our sixth NBA All-Star Game, something no other city has done. I look forward to working with the NBA and our local partners on this amazing event at Staples Center, which will bring thousands of visitors to Los Angeles, and generate more than $100 million of economic activity."

Toronto played host to the All-Star Game this year, and Charlotte, N.C., will be the venue next year.

The only NBA cities that have yet to host an All-Star Game are Portland, Ore.; Sacramento; Memphis, Tenn.; and Oklahoma City.

 

Source : wtae.com

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