San Diego Clippers are back: LA Clippers' G League team relocating to Oceanside, changing name

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – The Los Angeles Clippers’ G League affiliate, the Ontario Clippers, is moving to San Diego County and will be renamed the San Diego Clippers, and the team will play its home games in Oceanside starting next season.

The announcement was made Monday at the new Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, where the G League Clippers will play after they finish the 2023-24 season.

"We are proud to re-introduce the San Diego Clippers into this passionate sports market," said Halo Sports and Entertainment CEO Gillian Zucker. "Our G League team is a critical part of our business and basketball operation, and we are thrilled to be relocating to the new Frontwave Arena next season."

According to the organization, Halo Sports and Entertainment -- the new umbrella brand encompassing the Clippers and their G League team, the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome -- will partner with Frontwave Arena to run the business operations of the San Diego Clippers.

Frontwave Arena is set to open this summer and will host concerts, comedy shows, community events and games for the San Diego Sockers professional indoor soccer team. The 7,500 capacity arena will also have an outdoor plaza.

"We are excited to show off our new home Frontwave Arena and welcome the San Diego Clippers next season," said cofounder and CEO of Frontwave Arena Josh Elias. "Working with a world class organization like the Clippers and people like Steve Ballmer and Gillian Zucker to create a new home to showcase their commitment both on and off the basketball court is a slam dunk."

"I'm thrilled to welcome fans in San Diego and the Oceanside community to the G League, which has truly never been more impactful to NBA teams than it is today," said NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim. "Bringing the Clippers G League team to Frontwave Arena through this unique partnership is exciting not only for the basketball diehards in the area, but for the players and coaches who will be able to develop their NBA-caliber skills each day."

First established as the Buffalo Braves in 1970, the franchise was relocated to San Diego in 1978 and renamed the San Diego Clippers.

In 1984, owner Donald Sterling moved the team to Los Angeles — without approval from the NBA. It has been playing under the Los Angeles Clippers name since then.

Current LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer recently announced the opening of the NBA team’s new arena, the Intuit Dome, for the start of the 2024-25 season.

City News Service contributed to this report