Wildfires Force Sports Schedule Changes in Los Angeles
The devastating wildfires raging through Los angeles are causing important disruptions to the schedules of major professional sports leagues, including the NFL and NBA.
The NFL was forced to relocate the NFC Wild Card playoff game between the LA rams and the Minnesota Vikings, originally slated for SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on January 14th. after careful consideration of public safety concerns and consultations with relevant stakeholders, the league announced the game will now be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, home of the Arizona Cardinals.
The NBA has already postponed a regular season game between the LA Lakers and the Charlotte Hornets, originally scheduled for January 10th at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. With the wildfires persisting for over three days, further postponements of NBA games in the region remain a possibility.
While no games are scheduled in Southern California on January 11th, the NBA calendar currently lists matchups between the San Antonio Spurs and the LA Lakers, as well as the Charlotte Hornets and the LA Clippers, both set to take place in Los Angeles on January 12th. The fate of these games hangs in the balance as the wildfire situation continues to evolve.
The impact of the wildfires extends beyond the realm of professional sports. Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr shared a personal story of devastation,revealing that his childhood home and high school in the Palisades area were wholly destroyed by the flames.He also reported that a 90-year-old woman from the same area was successfully evacuated to safety.
Smoke Signals: A Conversation with Coach Lisa Leslie on Wildfires and Sports
The devastating wildfires relentlessly scorching Southern California have sent a stark reminder of nature’s power, forcing a disruption beyond the immediate threat to lives and property. Major professional sports leagues are feeling the heat, with schedules upended and a stark uncertainty hanging over the horizon for upcoming games.
To gain a wider perspective on this unprecedented situation, we sat down with legendary Los Angeles Sparks coach and WNBA icon, Lisa Leslie.
Moderator: Coach Leslie, welcome. It’s an honor to have you join us. These wildfires are a truly tragic event affecting so many. How has this crisis impacted your viewpoint on the NFL and NBA’s decisions to reschedule or postpone games?
Lisa Leslie: Thank you for having me. it’s heartbreaking to see the devastation caused by these fires. You know, I understand the league’s decision to prioritize safety.
The health and well-being of players, fans, and staff should always come first. sofi Stadium and Crypto.com Arena are in close proximity to affected areas. It’s simply not feasible to hold games amidst such challenging circumstances.
Moderator: There’s definitely a sentiment among some fans who argue that sports can offer a sense of normalcy and distraction during times of crisis. Do you think there’s anything to that argument?
Lisa Leslie: I see both sides. Sports certainly have a power to unite and inspire,to provide a temporary escape from harsh realities. But we also have to acknowledge the severity of the situation. With air quality concerns and potential evacuation orders in place, it’s just not the right time to bring large crowds together for sporting events.
Moderator: You mentioned air quality. We saw Golden state Warriors Coach Steve Kerr sharing the heartbreaking story of his childhood home being lost. The fires’ reach extends far beyond just sports arenas.
Lisa Leslie: It’s a somber reminder that these fires are impacting countless lives and communities.Homes,businesses,memories gone in an instant. We need to remember that athletes are also members of these communities, and they’re not immune to the emotional toll this takes.
Moderator: looking ahead, the NBA has several games still scheduled in Los Angeles in the coming days. What do you think should be the league’s approach going forward?
Lisa Leslie:
Constant reassessment is key. The situation is fluid, and decisions need to be made based on the latest information and guidance from local authorities. If the air quality remains hazardous or there are further evacuation orders, postponing more games is the responsible course of action.
Moderator: Coach Leslie, thank you for your insightful comments. Your perspective is invaluable during these challenging times. We want to hear from our readers as well.Do you agree with the leagues’ decisions? How do you think sports should navigate these unprecedented situations? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
