October 15, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Does Los Angeles need an NFL team?

An artist’s rendering shows the planned City of Champions Revitalization Project in Inglewood, which includes a NFL Stadium. Courtesy HKS Inc.
An artist’s rendering shows the planned City of Champions Revitalization Project in Inglewood, which includes a NFL Stadium. Courtesy HKS Inc.

So it appears that NFL football might finally be returning to Los Angeles within the next few years.

On Monday, it was announced that St. Louis Rams billionaire owner Stan Kroenke plans to build an NFL stadium in Inglewood. The stadium could be completed by 2018, according to developers.

Don’t expect the National Football League to be back in Los Angeles next year, but it could happen soon. It’s been a long time since an NFL football team has played in L.A. The Raiders and Rams both left town after the 1994 season. The Raiders returned to Oakland – where they belong – and the Rams ventured east to St. Louis.

Over the next 20 years there were many rumors about pro football returning to L.A. but it never amounted to anything, unless you count the LA KISS of the Arena Football League, but they don’t even play home games in Hollywood, rather in Anaheim.

Now, it appears the chance of an NFL team playing in L.A. appears better than ever. When the owner of the St. Louis Rams said he is planning on building a new stadium in Inglewood, well, that sounds pretty serious.

Unless, of course, this is just all leverage to get a better stadium deal in St. Louis. You just never know with these eccentric and crafty billionaire owners.
In any event, it appears that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell would like to see a team back in the nation’s second-largest media market. But who will that team be? The Rams? Or maybe the Chargers or Raiders – two California teams playing in old, outdated stadiums.

Despite the push for a team to return to sunny Los Angeles, the question still remains: Does L.A. really need a pro football team?

While local football fans would no doubt love to cheer for their own squad and attend games on Sundays in a nearby stadium, there are plenty of other things to do in L.A. In other words, Los Angeles residents have been doing just fine without pro football, so whether or not a new team arrives doesn’t really make much difference.

In California, there are so many fun things to do.

Consider: There are the glorious beaches, invigorating outdoor hiking trails, amazing movie theaters, great restaurants, biking, tennis, golf, rollerblading, and skateboarding, and so many other fun and healthy outdoor activities.

When you think about it, Los Angeles already has two semi-pro football teams anyway in UCLA and USC – two college programs with proud traditions and legacies. Saturdays are always special come autumn in L.A.

And Sundays? Well, there’s enough NFL coverage on television to keep the most diehard football fans content.

Still, an NFL football team in Los Angeles would only add to the glamour and glitz of Hollywood. The Rams attracted a big following when they played in both the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (1946-79) and Anaheim Stadium (1980-94). The Raiders, meanwhile, moved to L.A. in the early 1980s and also drew plenty of attention thanks to their Silver-and-Black mystique and another Super Bowl championship in 1984.

Fans love a winner, but in L.A. it’s even more important to be on top. The Lakers have long been the number one sports team in Hollywood, but as the team has been suffering through a losing season, fan support might be slowly shifting to the title-contending Clippers.

A pro football team in Los Angeles would certainly be successful as long as it keeps winning and drawing fans. Not that winning is everything. Give fans a first-class stadium and lots of entertainment and they will come.

If not, then there are plenty of other outdoor options for Californians.

Tags: in Sports
Related Posts

Loyola Marymount University and LA Rams Announce Longterm Partnership

September 7, 2023

September 7, 2023

Rams to Provide Events and Internships for LMU Students “With hearts ablaze, with spirits high, we declare – whose house?...

Culver City High School’s Ibrahim Golfing Family Featured in New NBC Film

April 5, 2023

April 5, 2023

Ibrahim siblings’ success on the golf course captured in short film feature “Home Course Advantage” Rashid Ibrahim’s journey to the...

Super Bowl Pre-Game Show to Be Broadcast From Santa Monica Pier

February 10, 2022

February 10, 2022

The Santa Monica Pier will be the location for the Super Bowl Pre-Game show broadcast. Learn more in this video...

Culver City Football Head Coach Hits Century Mark

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

Submitted by the Culver City Unified School District Congratulations to Culver City High School football head coach Jahmal Wright on...

Local Hoopers Rejoice As Venice Basketball League Returns

September 6, 2021

September 6, 2021

The Venice Basketball League is officially back on the courts after nearly 2 years of closure. Nick Ansom joins us...

Westside Olympic Swimmer Shares Her Journey To The Games

August 30, 2021

August 30, 2021

Two time Olympian, Westside Local, and Medical Student Andi Murez has returned from the Tokyo games, hear about her journey...

Local Little League All-Star Team Wins More Than Just Championships

August 10, 2021

August 10, 2021

The Venice Baseball Academy’s little league team, the Tide, recently won the SoCal State Championships but it’s more than winning...

Tokyo Bound! Former Centaur Runner Isaiah Jewett Qualifies for U.S. Olympic Team

June 30, 2021

June 30, 2021

Former Culver City High School track star Isaiah Jewett made the U.S. Olympic Team by bettering his USC school record and taking...

Culver City High School Pitcher Notches His Second No-Hitter

April 20, 2021

April 20, 2021

Alonso Reyes records second no-hitter of high school career in 5-0 shutout of Windward By Chad Winthrop A pitcher for...

Culver City Centaurs to Play on Fox Sports West

March 29, 2021

March 29, 2021

Fox Sports West broadcast for Centaurs Friday By Staff Writer Culver City High School football is hitting the airwaves this...

Culver City Officials Threaten to Close Skatepark if Face Coverings Are Not Worn

September 22, 2020

September 22, 2020

Officials post additional notices at skatepark  By Chad Winthrop Culver City health officials are threatening to close the city’s skatepark...

High School Sports Season Pushed Back Until December

July 21, 2020

July 21, 2020

All California high school sports will not begin until mid-December By Sam Catanzaro High school sports in Los Angeles and...

Video: Venice Skatepark Taken Back by Skaters

May 28, 2020

May 28, 2020

Defying officials, Venice Skate Park skaters recently took matters into their own hands after the City of Los Angeles filled...