THE Los Angeles Clippers have been handed an incredibly rare exemption as they open their new arena.
California governor Gavin Newsom has granted the NBA team license to serve alcohol until 4am.
The LA Clippers will be allowed to serve alcohol until 4am at their new home[/caption]
Gavin Newsom has granted the NBA team a rare exemption as part of a pilot[/caption]
That is two hours later than is legal across the rest of the state with no alcohol currently sold after 2am.
The rare exemption will allow Clippers fans in VIP suites at the new Intuit Dome to drink late into the night.
The LA Clippers are moving into their new $2 billion arena in Inglewood, California this season.
Until now, they have shared a downtown arena with the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Kings in the NHL.
Ex-Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer has built a state-of-the-art new arena for his Clippers team just south of SoFi Stadium.
And the arena will benefit from a “very limited pilot”, governor Newsom said.
NBA games on the West Coast rarely finish beyond 10pm local time, unless they go to an extra period.
That means alcohol can still be served for around six hours after play has ended.
It will only apply to VIP areas and not in regular fan concessions.
Newsom did sound a message of caution in his announcement.
“I am directing the California Highway Patrol to work in partnership with local law enforcement agencies to track DUI incidents in the surrounding communities.” he said.
“And to prepare a report on the impacts of extended alcohol service hours that can inform the legislature’s evaluation of any further proposals to extend alcohol service hours.”
But some fans were left confused why alcohol was being served so late.
And the Clippers are one of four NBA teams in California with neither the Lakers, Golden State Warriors or Sacramento Kings afforded the same luxury.
!Why would you want to be in an empty arena at 4am? Go to the after party, or go home,” one fan wrote.
“Now do the same thing for clubs so that people don’t have to leave at 2 lol,” another joked.
“After hours party, the place to be,” a third said.
The Clippers’ arena will feature a 51-row fan section behind one of the baskets for the team’s most avid supporters.
‘The Wall’ has been built for ‘certified’ Clippers fans only – customers cannot cheer for the opposing team or wear visitors’ uniforms.
There is also an incredible double-sided halo jumbotron which is around five times the size of average NBA scoreboards.
