Several weeks ago Staples Center officials made it seem as though they were unsure whether hosting 41 Clippers games per year was worth it, but now a long-term lease between the two sides is imminent.

"We would like the Clippers to stay and ? I think we're going to work this out," Tim Leiweke, president of Anschutz Entertainment Group, told radio station XTRA. "I think we'll have something in the next week, at the very latest.

"And it will be a long-term deal."

Leiweke was previously quoted as telling the newspaper, "We actually would make more money if, instead of 40 Clippers games, we had five concerts. So, those are some of the decisions we're going to have to make. The Clippers' issue is in negotiations now. Their lease is up after this year.

"And ironically, shockingly, we've got to make a decision as to whether we even want them back. We're not sure."

The Clippers moved from the Sports Arena before the 1999-2000 season, signing a six-year lease with Staples Center, which opened five years ago this month.

At the same time, the Lakers and NHL's Kings signed 20-year leases with Staples Center.