Triumphant LA Lakers will get a parade after all

Los Angeles Lakers will get a parade to mark their 15th championship despite objections the city cannot afford to throw the $2 million party, officials said.

The Lakers beat Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game Five of the NBA finals in Florida on Sunday to clinch the best-of-seven series but there had already been rumblings at home over the cost of a celebration.

"We confirm there is going to be a parade and we're working on the cost issue," said a spokeswoman for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

The spokeswoman said negotiations were under way for the team to help pay for the festivities, set for today and will tentatively include a two-mile parade from Staples Center, where the Lakers play, to a rally at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

She said details of that agreement had not yet been finalised but the Los Angeles Times reported the city and the Lakers had each agreed to pay $1 million towards the party, which would involve renting the Coliseum for a day.

Other costs would include police, transportation and city staff.