Sports fans are mourning the end of an era for the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday.
The familiar Staples Center sign was removed from atop the arena that hosted memorable Lakers games, concerts and boxing events since it opened in 1999.
Staples Center signs officially removed… The end of a historic era ? pic.twitter.com/t6HSo7Uf5F
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) December 6, 2021
The last event to be held at the Staples Center was the WBA Lightweight Championship bout between Gervonta Davis and Isaac Cruz in Los Angeles, California on Sunday, December 5.
The Staples Center name is officially changing to Crypto.com, a name synonymous with excess and greed. The cryptocurrency company made an offer the Staples Center couldn’t refuse: $700 million.
It is the first name change in the building’s history.
The Lakers won three consecutive championships to open the arena and have since won three more.
Teams that also play in the Staples Center include the Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Sparks, and the Los Angeles Clippers.
We grew up knowing it as the staples center lmao they think we’re going to call it something else, ha jokes on them??
— ale (@aleecran) December 6, 2021
especially following Kobe’s death that should’ve been cause enough not to rename it. nevertheless I wonder if it’ll affect ticket sales since it’s been the staples center since 99
— M??RE LIFE (@Tay3k_) December 6, 2021
I’m never not calling it Staples Center
— Tep (@hegotbounce23) December 6, 2021
im hot foreal, those mfs better be building a kobe statue now with all that bread they will be making #StaplesCenter
— Christian Castill? (@christiancas11) December 6, 2021
Staples Center to become embarrassing new name on Christmas
— Revenge Vengeance Justice The Bobbert Way (@XtremeLazyBum) December 6, 2021
