If, or should we say "when," the Lakers beat the Boston Celtics and win their 17th championship, the team has offered to pick up the tab for a city parade, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The offer should spare the city from the political controversy that erupted last year over the use of public funds to pay for a parade after the Lakers beat the Orlando Magic for the team's 15th NBA championship.
Eventually, private donors stepped in and covered half of the city's $1.8 million in costs for police protection and other services, reported the Times.
Some City Council members and city union representatives already were voicing opposition to a possible city-funded celebration this year if the Lakers win, citing Los Angeles' ailing fiscal health, reported the newspaper.
"We have offered a sum which we think should more than cover the expected costs; however, we have not had any final plans approved, as we do want to get too far ahead of ourselves at this point," Lakers spokesman John Black told the Times.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Friday that if the Lakers beat the Celtics, the city should have a parade to celebrate, but he largely avoided the question of whether he thinks the cash-strapped city should pay for it.
