Intuit Dome: LA Clippers unveil first-ever merchandise flagship store
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Trendy, fresh, and fun.
Those weren’t the words NBA fans would typically use to describe the Los Angeles Clippers jerseys and fan attire in the past, but that could change as the team progresses into a new era.
On Friday, Aug. 2, the Clippers will open their new merchandise store "The Flagship," located at the Intuit Dome Plaza at their shiny and brand-new state-of-the-art arena in Inglewood.
"This is a pretty momentous occasion for us because it's the first time ever in our history that we have a team store that is our own team store. So, what that's allowing us to do is bring a really broad product assortment that our fan base has never had access to," explained Claudia Calderon, Chief Marketing Officer for the LA Clippers and the Intuit Dome.
For longtime fans, this is truly a moment to be celebrated.
"One thing I was always jealous about when I went to arenas [is that] they had way more merchandise at the team store. Because Staples Center has so many teams, they’re so limited at the Team LA Store. This is going to be amazing. Steve Ballmer, you [have] changed my life, big dog," said Darian Vaziri on social media. The basketball fanatic hosts "Locked On Clips" and the "Dime Dropper" YouTube channel.
"It's incredible that we finally have our own store and can focus on making dope pieces in our own styles with our new logo without having to blend in and align with one of the other three teams selling products in the same store," said Dwayne Logan Jr., a longtime Clippers fan. "Now we get to set our own trends and sell what the people want."
Just as the Intuit Dome is a love letter to Clipper fans, that's extended into the team shop. The store offers items for everyone in the family, including their beloved pets.
"We wanted something for everybody, and we knew that that was something that fans were asking for," Calderon added.
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The 5,000-square-foot Clippers shopping mecca displays racks of clothing and other merchandise highlighting the Clippers' new branding. Gone are the days of royal blue and black. Now, the team will be associated with naval blue, ember red and Pacific blue, along with an updated font of modernized classic script.
In addition, the "C" in Clippers will be in bold to incorporate "the points of a compass" as "a nod to the team’s maritime roots," an earlier press release explained. The new look blends the team’s "past, present and focus on the future."
(LA Clippers)
The fan shop opens for Chuckmark members on Friday and to the public on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 10 a.m.
See a gallery of the Flagship Store below.
It’s been quite the off-season for the team. The Clippers front office has been busy formulating a new recipe featuring fresh ingredients to its coaching staff and roster. Some new faces include basketball genius Jeff Van Gundy on Tyronn Lue’s coaching staff, and players Derrick Jones Jr., Kris Dunn, and Kevin Porter Jr. NBA veteran and Clippers fan-favorite Nico Batum also returned to LA.
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The Intuit Dome will host its grand opening on Thursday, Aug. 15, and the Clippers will play their first home game on Wednesday, Oct. 23.