Seven-time NBA All-Star Paul George, on Tuesday, said that renaming the Staples Center to Crypto.com Arena would be like stripping away the history of the iconic stadium. George was speaking after his side’s – Los Angeles Clippers – game against the San Antonio Spurs. Clippers won 106-92. 

The Staples Center will be renamed after the arena’s owner AEG struck a deal with Denver billionaire Phil Anschutz. As per the release, the name takes effect from Christmas Day – December 25. It is a part of a 20-year agreement and the new logo will be unveiled that day.

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The deal also includes making Crypto.com an “official cryptocurrency platform partner” for the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Kings. Both the teams play their home games at the venue. 

Speaking about the change, Paul George said,”I grew up with … Staples Center being the place to play & the place to be. It will definitely be weird. It’s the same location, but it’s kind of stripping the history here, by calling it something else and you know from there going forward there’s some new history to be written, but it’ll be weird. Good thing we won’t be here too long.”

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The Clippers will move to their own stadium – Intuit Dome in Inglewood – in 2024. 

It was not only George, former Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma also reacted to Staples Center getting renamed. “Sheeshhh RIP @STAPLESCenter,” he tweeted. 

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The 20,000-seat arena has been the Staples Center since it opened in October 1999, with the naming rights owned by the American office-supplies retail company under a 20-year agreement. The name will change when the Lakers host the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA’s annual Christmas showcase.