City of Los Angeles and Lakers to split bill for championship parade, rally at Coliseum

City, Lakers to split bill for championship parade

LOS ANGELES — The NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers will get their victory parade, but they’ll have to help pay for it.

City officials say the parade set for Wednesday will run from the Staples Center to a rally at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The Lakers and the city will kick in about $1 million apiece for the party.

Critics including the police union complained that the cash-strapped city should not be putting money toward the Lakers in the light of looming layoffs, worker furloughs and hiring freezes, and there was speculation that no parade would be held.

The Lakers beat the Orlando Magic on Sunday to win their 15th NBA title and first in seven years.

Information from: Los Angeles Times, www.latimes.com