The Los Angeles Rams are scheduled to play their first regular-season game at SoFi Stadium in less than four months, but there’s no guarantee that matchup with the Cowboys on Sept. 13 will take place as currently planned.
The coronavirus pandemic could cause the NFL to tweak its schedule, or possibly start the season without fans in the stands. No scenario would be ideal, but opening SoFi Stadium without Rams fans in attendance would certainly make the big event feel much less grand.
Not to mention, the Rams – like every other team – would stand to lose a ton of stadium revenue without fans.
According to Forbes, which used stadium revenue from the 2018 season as a reference, the Rams would lose $121 million if the NFL plays without fans in 2020. That’s about 30% of the team’s total revenue.
Of course, there’s something else to consider in this: The fact that SoFi Stadium is brand new and revenue generated from it should be significantly higher than the $121 million generated at the Coliseum two years ago.
It’s impossible to predict exactly how much stadium revenue will increase next season compared to 2018, but the Rams should generate much more money than they did two years ago.
Anticipation is high right now after the team revealed its new uniforms and with this being the first year in a brand new $5 billion stadium. Opening with no fans in attendance would be a terrible scenario for both Los Angeles teams, as well as the Raiders in Vegas.