California Wildfires Disrupt NFL Playoffs: Rams Game Relocated to Arizona
As symbols go, the NFL’s decision to move the highly anticipated Wildcard Monday Night baseball game between the Minnesota Vikings and L. The game, which would have been played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., will instead be held at nearby State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals.
NFL’s Announcement: A Decision for Public Safety
Playing it Thursday evening, the NFL noted the decision was in consultation with public officials, team officials, involved teams, the NFL Players Association.
In the interest of public safety, the league has moved Monday’s Vikings-Rams Wild Card from SoFi Stadium to State Farm Stadium. The game will still air at 8 p.m. ET as scheduled per usual on ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes.
Season ticket holders for Rams will be able to buy tickets for the relocated game (which go on sale Friday 10 a.m. PT on Seatgeek.com and to the general public noon PT.)
Southern California and Wildfires
The decision comes now as wildfires that devastated Southern California already have allowed intense winds and dry conditions to fuel the flames. Reports say at least five people were killed and many thousand residents evacuated.
The biggest of the fires, about 15 miles from SoFi Stadium, rages in Pacific Palisades. The uncertainty surrounding the fires and what it could do to fans, players and staff proved too much for the NFL to risk with its players and fans in harm’s way, so the decision to move the game is a proactive one.
Featured: Rams Coach Sean McVay On The Crisis
Thursday was an empathetic and concerned press briefing when Rams head coach Sean McVay addressed the situation.
Fitting that it feels so surreal, but a harsh reality for those so immediately affected, said McVay. “Everyone’s safety?” we’re praying for it, and those fires just need to come under control soon.”
No Rams personnel are injured, said McVay, as some staff members had power outages and had to evacuate, but that a handful run out of ‘luck’ on Super Bowl Sunday. He added that ‘for that, we’re really grateful’.
A Unique Week for the NFL
It’s also a major logistical step for the NFL, which has repeatedly shown its ability to accommodate change and overcome obstacles it never anticipated. The issue is the playoff game can go ahead with anyone’s safety and well-being not compromised.
Knowing that the only thing the NFL is pressured to worry about during the largest sporting event in the nation is how to promote themselves and convenience over the public welfare as the fires still effect the region, it continues to stand. Now fans, players and officials alike will gather in Arizona to see what shapes up to be a classic confrontation between the Vikings and Rams.
