Clippers Make Inquiry to Play at CSUN Arena

Representatives of the Los Angeles Clippers professional basketball team have contacted Cal State Northridge regarding possible use of a proposed on-campus arena.

Bob Hiegert, CSUN’s athletic director, said Thursday night that Clipper officials made a “preliminary inquiry” in a phone call 2 weeks ago to Elliott Mininberg, an administrative vice president for the school.

Northridge administrators plan to meet with Clipper officials in January, Hiegert said, although a date has not been set.

Hiegert compared the Clippers’ inquiry to that of the Raiders, who 4 months ago talked to CSUN about upgrading and sharing its football training facilities.

The Raiders were exploring sites throughout Southern California, however. The Clippers’ interest, Hiegert said, seems to have been piqued by the potential for an NBA franchise in the Valley.

“They think there’s more of a market and future here than, say, Orange County,” Hiegert said.

Northridge officials already have blueprints for a 10,000-12,000-seat arena. Funding such a project--the cost is estimated at about $1 million for every 1,000 seats--is the obvious obstacle.

A referendum calling for taxation of students for at least part of the construction is already being discussed.

Lynn Westlund, associated students’ president at CSUN, said it is unlikely that all of the money needed would be raised by the students.

Northridge already has approached a handful of Valley business leaders regarding a fund-raising effort for an arena. The Clippers--who would need a facility larger than what is planned--could be a big help in that area.

However, Northridge did not plan to have to share the facility.

“From a selfish standpoint I’d love to have an arena that we could use for our basketball and volleyball teams and students only,” Hiegert said.

Although a cooperative venture would not be ideal in Hiegert’s view, he said he would not rule out the possibility.

“At this point we’re exploring every avenue we can,” he said.