The Staples Center is getting a new name, ending an era in Los Angeles that’s lasted decades.
In its place? Crypto.com Arena.
Starting this Christmas Day on Dec. 25 — when the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets face off — the name will switch for the first time since 1999.
How did fans feel about that? I’d call it a mix. Some had a pretty good new nickname for the arena … and others are just going to keep on calling it the Staples Center, where some legends have taken the court and ice.
Here’s a sampling of the mixed reaction from around Twitter:
People are treating it like the Sears Tower ... er, Willis Tower
This stadium = LA's version of the Sears Tower in Chicago. In other words: "Y'all can change the name to whatever you want, but I'm still calling it by its original name; thanks." https://t.co/JEAVBCcC86
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) November 17, 2021
Preparing to scoff disdainfully at anyone who calls Staples Center by its new name the way Chicagoans do when you call the Sears Tower the Willis Tower
— Jake Liker (@JakeLiker) November 17, 2021
Remember when the Sears Tower was renamed 'Willis Tower' and most people didn't care and just kept calling it the Sears Tower? I feel like that might happen with this too. https://t.co/mQJdBJopF9
— Nick and The 50 Wins Of Shida (@FearlessRiOT) November 17, 2021
This is the Los Angeles equivalent of renaming the Sears Tower. All these new stadium names are awful. https://t.co/xHwLMHKe7k
— Jarrett Huff (@jhuffhoops) November 17, 2021
Now I understand how Chicago people feel about the Sears Tower. #ForeverStaplesCenter https://t.co/Ib4vyZF5dj
— Joshua (@joshuajg_) November 17, 2021
Much like the Sears Tower and Comiskey Park, you can pay a trillion Doge bucks to name the Staples Center whatever you want but it will forever remain the Staples Center. https://t.co/yEYtEJIJWN
— Matt Burnell (@mdburnell) November 17, 2021
Staples Center is to Los Angeles what Sears Tower is to Chicago.
We aint calling it by any other name. Lol I don’t care what deal was made.
— Malynda Hale (@MalyndaHale) November 17, 2021
Others came up with a nickname
Say hello to The Crypt, which is actually kind of cool:
"Welcome to the Crypt!" is a little on the nose given the age of the Lakers roster https://t.co/mIn32RPgPa
— Internet #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) November 17, 2021
The Crypt https://t.co/MrmmphZfYh
— 中村健太👾(12-2)(1-1) (@nakamura__kenta) November 17, 2021
staples aka the crypt lol https://t.co/O1ZGNqF6AV
— prince j. grimes (@pgprincej) November 17, 2021
…They’re definitely going to try to call Staples Center “The Crypt” from now on aren’t they?
— Colb (@___Colb___) November 17, 2021
The Crypt is a cool name for an arena I’ll say it
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) November 17, 2021
The Crypt 🧟♂️🏀 https://t.co/X8G5y4dGFu
— John Myers (@johnmyers) November 17, 2021
petition to colloquially refer to this arena as The Crypt https://t.co/VTBlUQXMtg
— Kim McCauley (@lgbtqfc) November 17, 2021
Can’t recall the last time I saw LA as united as the hatred for The Crypt.
— Seema (@LATSeema) November 17, 2021
Or just THE CRYPT?!?!?! pic.twitter.com/jmBalpQVno
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) November 17, 2021
Does this mean the Arena Manager becomes the “Crypt Keeper”?
Or post game highlights are known as “Tales from the Crypt”?
Staples Center has a new name.
Via @latimes https://t.co/uu7G21fvIE
— Chris Daniels (@ChrisDaniels5) November 17, 2021
Staples gonna go by the nickname “The Crypt” now? https://t.co/WNcsjiTIeV
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) November 17, 2021
Fans are generally not happy given the memories of Kobe Bryant at Staples
Staples Center will forever be known as 'The House That Kobe Built' 💜💛🐍 pic.twitter.com/iirjxGYtUs
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) November 17, 2021
What an L. When your hear Staples Center you think of Kobe and Shaq.. That’s all gone now https://t.co/0jjXtbVG6a
— John Archuleta (@jarchie70) November 17, 2021
The only name name the Staples Center should do is calling it Kobe Bryant Arena. It’s the house Kobe Built!
— #LakeShow Rudy (@LakeShowRudy) November 17, 2021
It’s Staples until the day I die.
STAPLES, the home Kobe built 🖤— Danna 🤍 (@dannatalks) November 17, 2021
