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ABOUT LA SPORTS - There is no escaping the fact that sports is big business these days. Young kids might look up to their heroes and pursue the innocent dream of playing for their favorite teams. But, as we get older, many of us have become more jaded about the ideals of sports and the way organizations and teams actually work.
With 12 major league teams, as well as countless college-level, minor league and amateur organizations, Los Angeles, unsurprisingly, is well-known for its sports. This city has hosted the Olympics twice, and will do so again in 2028. All the best California betting apps do a lot of business with just the teams that represent LA. It is fair to say that Los Angeles, California is – and always has been – a sports town.
But can the increasing commercialization of sports still keep the local communities involved with those teams in a meaningful way? Investors from outside the city are common now – as are some of the fans, thanks to the great success LA teams have enjoyed over the years. With that in mind, can LA really still call itself a sports city for the people?
Local Pride
Los Angeles teams have won multiple championships across a wide range of sports. The Lakers might be the biggest team in the city, but others, like the Angels, Dodgers, and Kings, have all won titles and built up their fanbase by way of success. But Angelenos have always gotten behind their teams, with or without success.
For a sprawling city of almost four million people, it is quite incredible how unifying the sports teams of Los Angeles can be. Although even some of the major leagues boast more than one team from LA, those organizations bring together communities in a way that is increasingly rare these days. Local pride is still very important to LA – and Angelenos show that through their sports team fandom.
Community Outreach
It is not surprising that local people and communities get behind their teams. But the real proof of Los Angeles being a sports town for the people is if the teams give something back to the people for their loyalty. Even with so much money in modern sports, it has to be said that the local teams do their bit to reach out to the communities.
All the major league teams in the city have their own charitable foundations that contribute to a wide variety of causes that are important to Angelenos. Individual athletes are regularly seen in the neighborhoods, giving up their time to engage with the fans who help pay their wages. This kind of outreach is invaluable to the future of community sports.
The Alliance
An excellent example of how sports teams in the city care about its citizens is The Alliance. Launched in 2020 by what was then the 11 pro teams in LA, the organization has since expanded to include LAFC and was set up to pursue change in communities of color and develop meaningful programs to help local people.
The Alliance was formed in the wake of the social protests of 2020, with the aim of tackling social injustice and achieving positive change. With a particular emphasis on the Black communities of Los Angeles, The Alliance has continued to do its work across the city and use the incredibly popular and enveloping medium of sports to inspire change.
Disaster Relief
All Angelenos will know that the place they call home might be the best city in the world for many reasons – and a magnet for millions of people each year – but it is also susceptible to natural and man-made disasters. Just because local people know something might happen doesn’t necessarily mean they can cope, and the local sports teams in the area have always been very quick to help those in need when required.
Teams from all over Los Angeles have combined forces to support people and communities affected by the wildfires that have plagued the region in recent years, donating money and merchandise, but also supplying food and hygiene products. Sports organizations have been able to team up with relief agencies in order to reach more people in need and be there for Angelenos when they really need help.
LAFC Supporters Union
It is heartening to know that the sports teams of Los Angeles are prepared to help their local communities. But a real sign that these organizations take their communities seriously is when they involve them in the decision-making process. LAFC, with its home stadium based in Exposition Park, is a perfect example of how listening to local people helps everyone involved.
LAFC was only formed in 2018, but right from the start, it searched out local community involvement and input. The fans were there before the team had even played a game, and the club consulted them on a number of issues, involving stadium architecture and even the team’s colors. A spirit of collaboration was formed immediately, and that has benefited the local community, including those who would not consider themselves soccer fans.
Local Fans at the Center of Sports
Major league sports will always be a results and profits business. Sports teams will always want to attract investment from outside their cities to help grow their brand and the organization. But there will always be a place for local community involvement – and many of the Los Angeles teams seem to have recognized that as an important part of their day-to-day business.
There will be people who criticize ticket and merchandise prices – and these are things that are important to keep in check – but as long as the sports team take on board the feelings of the local communities, there is a chance for a fairer deal for all. Even with all the money involved, there seems to be a move towards community involvement in sports these days. And with Los Angeles at the forefront of that, it can still be said that it is a sports city for the people.
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