The Los Angeles Rams are set to begin a new era in their franchise’s history next season with the opening of SoFi Stadium, which is set to be completed in July. While construction has continued on the massive project during the coronavirus pandemic, it may not matter if the stadium is finished in July or December.
According to the L.A. Times, Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti said on a conference call this week that “large gatherings such as concerts and sporting events may not be approved in the city for at least 1 year.” Los Angeles Fire Department deputy chief Trevor Richmond wrote that in an internal email to the LAFD, which was reviewed by the Times.
The email summarized the mayor’s comments on the call with high-level staff members from several departments, including fire chief Ralph Terrazas.
Garcetti spokesman Alex Comisar confirmed the mayor’s comments at the meeting. “The mayor was generally referencing studies of current and historical data and best practices for safely reopening our economy,” Comisar said.
Comisar said Garcetti doesn’t have a timeline on when large gatherings and sporting events could return, which is the case for cities and states across the country. There’s simply too much uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic to say anything definitively.
The mayor’s comments are an example of the difficulty that comes with starting up the NFL season – or any sports season, for that matter. Even if the leagues want to resume play, they’ll have to get approval at the city and state levels first.
If Garcetti won’t give the green light in L.A., games can’t happen until everyone is on board.
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