NFL
NFL looking at Wild-Card backup plans as California wildfires continue to rage
The league have stated that they have alternative plans in place for Monday’s Inglewood NFC wild-card game involving the LA Rams.
Ahead of safety concerns relating to the staging on Monday’s NFL Wild-Card game at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood as wildfires continue to rage in the LA area, the football league have spoken on the matter.
The NFL issued a statement on Wednesday claiming they they still plan to stage Monday’s Minnesota Vikings-LA Rams Wild-Card playoff game at SoFi Stadium but there is a contingency plan in place if needed due to various ongoing wildfires engulfing the Los Angeles area.
Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona has been put forward by the NFL as an alternative venue to host the Monday game.
NFL statement
“The NFL’s priority is the safety of the Los Angeles community,” the statement read. “We are grateful for the tireless efforts of the first responders. Our hearts are with Los Angeles and everyone affected by the fires.
“We continue to prepare to play the Vikings-Rams game as scheduled Monday night at SoFi Stadium. As with all games, there are contingency plans in the event a change in location is needed. In this instance, the game would be played on Monday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, if necessary.
The other Los Angeles team still involved in postseason action, the LA Chargers have their training base in El Segundo, which is located about 23 miles south of Pacific Palisades area of the city and one of the epicentres of the fires. The team held a shorter training session on Wednesday due to the poor air quality. The Chargers will play an AFC Wild-Card game on the road Saturday against the Houston Texans.
NHL affected
The NHL was forced to postpone Wednesday’s game as the Calgary Flames were set to face the Los Angeles Kings at the Crypto.com Arena and stated: “the thoughts of the entire NHL family are with the Kings, hockey fans and the people of the Los Angeles area during this difficult time,” the NHL said in a statement.
The NBA stated they they are monitoring the ‘situation closely’ as Charlotte Hornets flew into Los Angeles ahead of scheduled games against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday and Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
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