[JSR] The Future of Football (NFL) in Los Angeles

A view of the fans during the Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco game this year in Los Angeles on October 13th. There is a “sea of red” in the stands showing the majority of the fans being 49ers fans despite the game taking place in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Rams popularity in their fan base up soared after last year’s dominant season to the NFL’s Super Bowl, despite losing in the championship game. However, this year the Rams have played a disappointing season which could affect their fan base.

Jonathan Kim, Grade 8 Culver City Middle School

In the numerous Rams games I have attended this year, many times the stands were dominated by fans of the opposing team. A prime example of this was their game against the San Francisco 49ers. The stands were a “sea of red,” which is the primary color of the 49ers. At a Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks game, there was a majority of Seahawks fans instead of Rams. The primary reason for the lack of fan base for this team is most likely because of their recent homecoming to Los Angeles.

With no football team in Los Angeles until recently, the city has been dominated by the NBA and the MLB. Despite the Rams’ move to Los Angeles, many people have yet to become a fan of the team. Their disappointing season also played a large role in the lack of fan base. In my opinion, the poor play of Jared Goff has been the primary reason for the Rams’ losses this season, and the reason for not making the playoffs a year after reaching the Super Bowl. His inability to make throws under pressure and inconsistency this season, has led many fans and analysts to criticize him on social media throughout the year.

The Rams currently play at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, but are scheduled to open their new innovative stadium, SoFi Stadium, next season in September. It will be the home of the Rams and the other Los Angeles football team, the Chargers, who are in a very similar situation with the Rams with a lack of fan base.This could be a major concern for both teams, and raises the question if there is a future for football in Los Angeles.

If the Rams and Chargers can develop enough successful players and seasons over the next decade, they may be able to earn the status of a team on the same level as some of the more popular teams in the NFL. However, with the current status quo in terms of the fan base of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, the future of football in Los Angeles remains unsteady and grim.