Tempeh Sloppy Joes, Hearty Veggie Burgers, and Vegetable Sushi Put STAPLES Center in a League of Its Own
For Immediate Release:
February 13, 2013
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Los Angeles — First came Major League Baseball in 2002, followed by the NFL in 2008. Now, for the first time, thanks to the explosion in vegetarian options at sports venues across the continent, PETA has ranked the top 10 most vegetarian-friendly NBA arenas, and STAPLES Center, home of the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, is number one.
"Clippers fans may have more to cheer about this year than Lakers fans do, but one thing that fans of both teams can celebrate is STAPLES Center's number-one ranking on PETA's inaugural top 10 most vegetarian-friendly NBA arenas list," says PETA Associate Director of Campaigns Lindsay Rajt. "Coming away from the concession stands with healthy, humane, and delicious vegetarian fare at STAPLES Center is a slam-dunk."
The offerings at STAPLES Center rival those found at many respectable vegetarian restaurants, starting with the sloppy Joe, which is made from soy-based tempeh with peppers, onions, and brown sugar barbecue sauce. In addition to the veggie burger, grilled vegetable sandwich, edamame, PB&J, and hummus and pita plate, the fish-free sushi is sure to please even the most discriminating palate. Fans in the club sections can also enjoy the couscous salad with peppers, onions, zucchini, and fig vinaigrette; butternut squash with shallots, spinach, toasted pecans, and walnut vinaigrette; and green beans with dried figs, almonds, shallots, and red-wine vinaigrette.
STAPLES Center's stiffest competition came from first runner-up Air Canada Centre, home of the Toronto Raptors, with its chutney-topped Bollywood veggie dog, vegetarian burrito, and lettuce, tomato, and scallion veggie dog. Third place went to the Philadelphia 76ers' Wells Fargo Center, thanks to the black-bean burger, brown rice–based Malibu Burger, and protein-packed veggie dogs. Rounding out the top 10 are the BMO Harris Bradley Center (Milwaukee Bucks), Oracle Arena (Golden State Warriors), the Rose Garden (Portland Trail Blazers), the United Center (Chicago Bulls), the AT&T Center (San Antonio Spurs), Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Indiana Pacers), and The Palace of Auburn Hills (Detroit Pistons).
To see all the delicious vegetarian offerings, please visit PETA's blog.
