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Will Farmers Field Bring Football Back To Los Angeles?

Filed under: Sports, Real Estate Developments

Los Angeles got one step closer to the dream of having a football team today. Entertainment company AEG has announced that it has signed Farmers Insurance to a 30-year naming-rights deal for a new 68,000-seat football stadium in downtown Los Angeles near the booming L.A. Live complex and the home of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Staples Center, an area that is quickly becoming the new heart of Los Angeles.

The billion-dollar stadium with a retractable roof will be called Farmers Field and Los Angeles citizens have been promised that this new complex won't cost them a thing. The 30-year-deal has been called one of the largest naming-rights contract ever, a reported $650 million dollar deal. Because there is no team in place, while Farmers gets plenty of signage, there's no other media involved in the deal. But the decision paves the way for the long-range dream of having the NFL back in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was on hand at the announcement expressing his excitement that football will be coming back to Los Angeles. Also in attendance was former Laker great Magic Johnson, who sold part of his stake in the Lakers to focus on bringing the NFL back to L.A., a city without a team since 1994. The question of course is which team. There has been talk of having the San Diego Chargers move to Los Angeles. Other teams which could become L.A.'s dream team include the Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Gallery: The Plans For Farmers Field

Tags: farmers field, farmers insurance, l.a. live, los angeles nfl, staples center

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Lakers Receive Latest Championship Rings

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers celebrated their 16th championship this week, receiving their rings at a ceremony at the Staples Center. Fanhouse reports on the ceremony in which each player introduced the next one in line and celebrity attendees including David Beckham and Jack Nicholson celebrated with the team (video highlights after the jump). Lakers coach Phil Jackson even let pop phenom Justin Bieber try his ring on for size.

The rings were created by Jason of Beverly Hills. The rings have some significant details including a small piece of leather from the Game 7 ball set into the underside of each of the rings. Each ring also has the player's three-dimensional likeness sculpted into the side of the ring. The ring's face has two trophies signifying back to back victories made from a custom batch of 16 karat gold (last year's rings were made of 15 karat gold) and 16 oversized round brilliant white diamonds to indicate the 16 Lakers' championships. The rings were designed with Lakers owner Jerry Buss. "We wanted to create history with this year's ring and I think we've done that!" says Jason Arasheben, CEO of Jason of Beverly Hills. "More than any other year, this year's ring allows the owner to relive and own a piece of Lakers' history with the leather from the Game 7 ball."

UPDATE: As a commenter noted below, one player, Ron Artest, has announced that he is auctioning his ring off and plans to use the proceeds to fund mental health services for youths who can't afford counseling. Artest, who thanked his psychiatrist after last year's win, has said he will try not to wear the ring (his first NBA championship ring) so the winner will be the first person to wear it.

Tags: jason of beverly hills, los angeles lakers, nba, staples center

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Celtics Versus Lakers Rivalry Pushes Up Game 7 Ticket Prices

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports

The Boston Celtics/Los Angeles Lakers rivalry is back. With the two top teams battling their way to a decisive NBA Finals game 7 ticket prices have soared. The fact that Game 7 is at the Staples Center in celeb-stuffed Los Angeles only adds to the appeal and prestige. Several sites are offering tickets for some astronomical prices. Over on Musical Chairs Tickets you can spend over $60,000 each on a pair of courtside seats. At TicketsNow there are a variety of tickets available starting at $500 and soaring to $75,000 for courtside. Switching over to StubHub tickets begin at $590 and zoom up to over $80,000. Although both teams have won championships in the last several years the fact that they are battling each other brings out not only today's sports fans but all those who watched the epic Celtics-Lakers match-ups in the 1980s.

Tags: boston celtics, los angeles lakers, nba finals, NBA Finals 2010, Staples Center

New Ritz-Carlton Opens in Los Angeles

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

On April 2, 2010, a brand new Ritz-Carlton opened its doors at the L.A. Live complex, steps away from the Los Angeles Convention Center, the STAPLES Center, Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE, The GRAMMY Museum and plenty of bars and restaurants. Basically, it's the only luxury hotel at LA 's one destination where you don't need a car to have a good time.

The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles is a 54-story tower with 123 guestrooms including a 3,000 square foot Ritz-Carlton Suite with a piano, entertainment room, media corner, lounge, kitchen, formal dining area and spectacular northern and western views. The 24th floor features a brand new Wolfgang Puck restaurant, WP24 -- it has a "wine cave" -- and on the 26th floor guests can relax at the private rooftop pool and bar, as well as the 2,000 square foot fitness center.

The hotel is also home to downtown LA's only full-service hotel spa (a must-have after long days at the convention center) -- an 8,000 square foot facility which encapsulates the glamor of Hollywood with exclusive gold facials and champagne and citrus scrubs.

Together with its sister hotel, the JW Marriott Los Angeles, ample space is available for weddings and other functions, and the amenities and attractions of Beverly Hills and Hollywood are just a cab ride away.

Basically, it's hard to believe that a hotel like this didn't already exist to accommodate the luxury guests of downtown LA. The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles is the final, and perhaps most extravagant piece of the $2.5 billion L.A. Live project, which began with the STAPLES Center in 1999. Click here to be one of the first to book.

Gallery: The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles

Tags: L.A. Live, la live, los angeles, los angeles ritz-carlton, marriott los angeles, nokia theater, Nokia Theatre, ritz-carlton, Staples Center

Evo South Condo Development

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

The South Park area of Los Angeles has been booming lately. The area is the site of the Los Angeles Convention Center, the Staples Center and the "L.A. Live" project. This summer the big news was that a major grocery store returned to the area, signaling the growing residential contingent. EVO is a high-rise residence building in the neighborhood and is the only LEED certified high rise residence in L.A. The property includes a pool and sun terrace, fitness studio and rooftop entertainment lounge with an outdoor fireplace. Many units have beautiful horizon and city views. The building also has concierge service, a 24-hour lobby attendant and four levels of secure parking.

The last of Evo's sale-priced residences went on sale earlier this month starting in the mid $300,000s. Generally the condominiums are priced from the low-$400,000s to $3.7 million and range from 730 to over 3,500 square feet. Residences feature hardwood floors and wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, large, operable windows, decks, Juliet balconies and walk-in closets

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Gallery: EVO-South