Anaheim Thinks Cash Might Lure Clippers

Trying to lure the Clippers to Orange County, the Anaheim City Council on Tuesday will discuss proposals it hopes will result in the team moving from the L.A. Sports Arena to the Pond.

The team already plays a series of well-attended games at the Pond each year. Councilman Lou Lopez said Saturday the city might be willing to provide some financial incentive to the team.

“We have told them that we would love to have them here and there have been ongoing discussions,” Lopez said. “If there’s some way that we can do it financially, do what you have to do to bring in the team.”

Among the possibilities, he said, are giving the team money currently earmarked to pay off stadium debt or offering tax incentives.

“If we have to spend several hundred thousand dollars, what difference does it make?” he said. “If we can have the Clippers here for 40 games, the revenue and the prestige it will bring will be very positive.”

Although the negotiations are between the Clipper organization and Ogden Entertainment Services, which operates the Pond, the city now has extra incentive to increase its efforts to land an NBA team.

Under the terms of the Pond lease, Anaheim soon will have to start paying $1.5 million per year toward the arena’s mortgage for every year it lacks an NBA team.

Clipper officials could not be reached for comment.