Los Angeles has had an impact on elite sports in California

A massive fire has been destroying the city of Los Angeles (California, United States) since last Tuesday and the world of Californian sports has not been left behind, where the ‘big league’ teams and some athletes are affected, or close who are family members, in the affected areas.

In addition, several sports facilities, some of which are hosting the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, are also located near the areas affected by the fires.

The NBA and the NFL have already suffered the effects

Perhaps one of the most followed leagues in Spain, and around the world, is the NBA, which itself is suffering from the devastating effects of the fires that are hitting Los Angeles, and specifically the Pacific Palisades area.

Some players, like Kawhi Leonard, star of the Clippers, or Chris Paul, point guard of the Spurs, saw how their families were evacuated. In Leonard’s case, he also had to return to Los Angeles when he was in Denver to play against the Nuggets to be with his family, although all of his members are safe and sound.

JJ Redick and Steve Kerr, coaches of the Lakers and Warriors, respectively, also suffered the consequences of the devastating fire.

Redick was the worst, because he lost the house he was renting. In addition, the Lakers – Hornets game last night has been postponed, with no specific date yet.

For his part, Kerr is also one of the worst unemployed, having lost his home as a child, though his mother, Ann, was evacuated and safe.

Due to this situation, the NBA issued a statement of support to the victims and those affected:

“The entire NBA and NBPA family send their thoughts and support to the Los Angeles community during these challenging times. We thank the thousands of local firefighters and first responders who showed tremendous courage. “Our prayers remain with those affected by the unimaginable devastation caused by the fires.”

In the NFL, the American football league, the NFC playoff wild card game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams, which should be played next Monday, will be moved from Inglewood (California) to the Arizona Cardinals stadium in Glendale (Arizona ) “in the interest of public safety” according to a statement released by the NFL itself.

In addition, the Rams themselves stopped practicing on Wednesday and although they tried to return to action on Thursday, they had to cancel the session early because a new fire broke out in the West Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time a high-profile NFL game has been moved due to wildfires in Southern California: In 2003, the Chargers, based in San Diego at the time, had to move a game against at the Miami Dolphins, also at Cardinals stadium.

Additionally, and due to concerns about air quality, the Los Angeles Chargers adapted their schedule last Wednesday, limiting their outdoor activities.

In the NHL, the Los Angeles Kings, who share the Crypto.com Arena with the Lakers, had to stop their game last Wednesday against the Calgary Flames because of the ongoing wildfire.

The NHL confirmed that a new date will be announced once it is determined, and that tickets will remain valid for the new date.

The Kings expressed their solidarity with the community, saying: “Our hearts go out to the entire Los Angeles community. We applaud the first responders who are fighting fires and working tirelessly to protect our neighborhoods.”

Because the affected areas are the habitual residence of some athletes and former athletes, there have been several cases, such as former Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr., who lost his home and his 10 Olympic medals in the Palisades fire .

Former Real Sociedad player Carlos Vela also lost his home. The Mexican soccer player is now without a team after his second, and short, period at Los Angeles FC, but he has settled in the California city.

His house was gutted by fire but all his family members are fine, although still “in shock” at what is happening.

The Olympic Games. 2028 on the horizon

Given this extreme situation, we must not forget that Los Angeles will host, in 2028, the next Summer Olympic Games.

Although there is still plenty of time for these to take place, local authorities are concerned, due to the proximity of the fires, about their possible impact on some of the areas and infrastructure that should host some Olympic disciplines.

According to the first information, almost all the headquarters remain, at the moment, without any effect, but some of them have, to a greater or lesser extent, been affected.

The first is the Riviera Country Club, where the golf tournament will be held, located within the perimeter affected by the Palisades fire.

At first, the Riviera was outside of any evacuation zone, but as the fire spread quickly with strong gusts of wind (up to 160 kilometers per hour), the mandatory zone was expanded. Riviera, southeast of the fire, is just inside the most dangerous zone, which also extends west past Big Rock Beach and north to Topanga State Park.

Another facility affected by the LA fires is the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, where the Olympic archery, BMX and skateboarding competitions are held.

In addition, another historic facility in the city of Los Angeles, the Rose Bowl Stadium, which will host several football competition games, is under direct threat of evacuation protocols, as is most of the area of Pasadena.

For now, the fires are not under control, so we will see if the situation changes in the next few hours and what other facilities will be affected by the fire.