Olympic Swimming in a football Stadium: A Look at LA’s SoFi Stadium
Table of Contents
“The plan is to have temporary seating,probably about the 35 or so yard line and then actually they have a second pool on the other end.”
The Collingwood Football Club’s training and administrative base was formerly the pool for Melbourne’s Olympics (1956). The LA rams, a football team, have outdone the Magpies, by allowing the LA 2028 Games to assemble a temporary pool in their house, which will also host (part of) the opening ceremony.
In a reversal of the norm, the plan is for the swimming to precede the athletics in LA ’28.
Hard as it was for our Australian party to envisage Olympic swimming in this vast stadium – the world’s largest – it was not the most astounding fact about SoFi, which will also be converted for soccer (eight games) for the only event that might out-size the Olympics, the FIFA World Cup, next year.
Unlike our stadia, which are largely financed by the taxpayer via federal and especially state governments, SoFi was built at a cost widely reported as US$5.5 billion (about AUD$8.5 billion)- without a cent of public money.
That amount would pay for close to eight versions of the promised Tasmania Devils stadium that has been the source of such discord and political unrest in impecunious Tassie. It’s almost five times as expensive as Perth’s Optus Stadium, the bulk of which was funded by WA’s taxpayers.
And the bill for the world’s most expensive stadium was entirely footed by the LA Rams billionaire owner,Stan Kroenke,uniformly referred to by Rams senior staffers as “Mr Kroenke.” He is the biggest owner of sporting teams on earth.
He built it, and they came.
Lately, the stadium also has been the home ground for Taylor Swift and Beyonce. Swift having held six shows consecutively at SoFi for her Eras tour. If necessary, the capacity can be bolstered from slightly over 70,000 seats to 100,000, by expanding standing room.
The roof was not as oppressive as that of Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, since there were skies above and openings to allow outside air at each end. “So that’s our form of air conditioning,” said Vroman. Note to Tasmania – a roof with a view is preferable.
It was only when we witnessed the Rams v Seattle game two days later that one could fully grasp the raison d’etre of this stadium, and of the nexus between American professional sport and the industry Los Angeles spawned, entertainment.
Rams’ Lavish LA Trip Highlights NFL’s Financial Power
The Los Angeles Rams recently hosted journalist Jake Niall on an all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles, a detail highlighted in a recent report. this instance underscores the important financial resources within the National Football League (NFL), fueled in part by billionaire ownership and lucrative media deals. The NFL’s ability to fund such extensive media outreach demonstrates its unique position in the sports and entertainment landscape.
the NFL’s Financial Landscape
The NFL is the most financially accomplished sports league in the world.Several factors contribute to this, including:
* Billionaire Ownership: NFL teams are predominantly owned by billionaires, allowing for substantial investment in team operations, player salaries, and marketing initiatives. Forbes NFL Team Valuations
* Massive Media Deals: The NFL has secured incredibly lucrative broadcasting rights with networks like CBS, NBC, Fox, ESPN, and Amazon Prime Video. The current agreements, totaling over $100 billion, guarantee significant revenue for all 32 teams. sportico – NFL Media Deals
* Sponsorships & Merchandising: beyond broadcasting, the NFL generates substantial income through sponsorships with major brands and the sale of officially licensed merchandise.
* Revenue Sharing: The NFL operates under a revenue-sharing model, ensuring that even smaller-market teams benefit from the league’s overall financial success.
The rams and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment
The Los Angeles Rams are owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), led by Stan Kroenke. Kroenke is a real estate developer and sports mogul who also owns the Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), and Arsenal Football Club (English Premier League). Kroenke’s net worth is estimated to be around $10.6 billion as of November 2023. forbes – Stan Kroenke
The Rams’ move back to Los Angeles in 2016, and the construction of SoFi Stadium – a state-of-the-art facility costing approximately $5.5 billion – exemplifies KSE’s willingness to invest heavily in the franchise. Los Angeles Times – SoFi Stadium Cost SoFi Stadium not only serves as the Rams’ home field but also hosts Super Bowl LVI in 2022 and numerous other high-profile events.
The Role of Media Trips
All-expenses-paid trips for journalists,like the one taken by Jake Niall,are a common practice in the NFL and other professional sports leagues. These trips serve several purposes:
* Media Access: they provide journalists with access to team facilities, players, and coaches, facilitating in-depth reporting.
* Relationship Building: They foster relationships between teams and media outlets, possibly leading to more favorable coverage.
* Brand Promotion: They allow teams to showcase their brand and facilities to a wider audience.
While these trips are generally considered standard practice, openness is crucial. The disclosure that the Rams covered Niall’s expenses, as included in the original report, is vital for maintaining journalistic integrity.
Key Takeaways:
* The NFL is the most financially powerful sports league globally.
* Billionaire ownership and massive media deals are key drivers of the NFL’s financial success.
* Teams like the Los Angeles Rams, backed by wealthy ownership groups like KSE, are able to invest heavily in facilities and marketing.
* Media trips are a common practice used to facilitate reporting and promote team brands, but transparency regarding expenses is essential.