Matt Barnes Calls for Clippers Name Change Amid Cursed Reputation

WHO:

NY Post - Matt Barnes, former NBA player, suggested a name change for the Los Angeles Clippers.

TMZ - Matt Barnes was at the 6th Annual Celebrity Softball Charity Game hosted by retired MLB player Brandon.

WHAT:

NY Post - Barnes believes the Clippers franchise is cursed and thinks the idea of changing the team's name should be revisited.

TMZ - Barnes stated that he has no doubt the Los Angeles Clippers are cursed and that a rebrand would be beneficial for the franchise.

WHERE:

TMZ - The comments were made during the 6th Annual Celebrity Softball Charity Game, location unspecified.

WHY:

NY Post - Barnes suggested the name change due to the team's "cursed" reputation, particularly following a recent salary cap scandal.

HOW:

NY Post - Barnes initially proposed the name change to Steve Ballmer when he bought the team in 2014.

(UPDATED October 9, 2026 01:35 UTC)

Matt Barnes, a former NBA player, recently suggested that the Los Angeles Clippers should consider a name change, citing the team's "cursed" reputation, especially in light of a recent salary cap scandal. He made these comments during the 6th Annual Celebrity Softball Charity Game, hosted by retired MLB player Brandon, where he expressed his belief that a rebrand could be beneficial for the franchise. Barnes first proposed the idea to team owner Steve Ballmer back in 2014, and he remains convinced that the Clippers are indeed cursed.