NFL
Why does Los Angeles have two NFL teams?
The LA Rams and LA chargers are a pride of the LA city. The establishment of the state-of-the-art SoFi stadium has largely led the two teams to co-exist in one city. Here, SportsBoom explores more about this unique phenomenon.
Los Angeles Sofi Stadium//Getty Images
Why Both the LA Rams and LA Chargers are in Los Angeles
Los Angeles (LA), the City of Angels, has long been the hub of entertainment, fashion and sports and is based in the state of California. Los Angeles, as a metropolitan area, boasts a diverse population of around four million people thereby making it a big market for NFL franchises to thrive.
In the NFL, LA has had its fair share of ups and downs. Teams that call it home have experienced exciting victories and heartbreaking departures through the years. However, lately there has been some stability, with two unique and dynamic franchises: The Los Angeles Rams (LA Rams) and the Los Angeles Chargers (LA Chargers), calling the city home.
The two teams share the recently opened state of the art, SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood area. Despite their contrasting journeys to the “Big LA”, the two teams have brought a vibrant feel and local rivalry known as the ‘LA Bowl’, that is sure to generate media attention as well as a diverse market share, thereby making it good for business.
LA Rams
Matthew Stafford//Getty Images
The Rams have a lengthy history in Los Angeles and offer a more traditional feel, with a deep-rooted loyal and dedicated fan base known as ‘Ram Fam’, that treasures their historic past as well as their modern day success.
The Rams, initially founded in 1936 in Cleveland played in the American Football League as the Cleveland Rams for a one season, before switching allegiance to the NFL a year later. In 1946, the team relocated to Los Angeles where it remained until 1994.
However, a decline in attendance in the 1990’s coupled with a growing demand of a modern stadium, ultimately forced the team to relocate to St. Louis Missouri from 1995, much to the detriment of fans.
After nearly two decades in Missouri, the Rams returned to LA in 2016. It brought with it a renewed sense of excitement among the city’s football fans, after a 20-year football drought without football in the city.
LA Chargers
Elijah Molden//Getty Images
On the other hand, the Los Angeles Chargers bring a more avant-garde and charismatic energy to the Los Angeles football scene.
Originally known as the San Diego Chargers, the Franchise was founded in 1960. Ironically it was playing in LA at the time, before shifting to San Diego a year later. They would go on to spend 56 years at the vibrant coastal city, establishing a loyal fan base in the process.
The team made an appearance in Super Bowl XXIX in 1995, where they were whopped 49-26 by the San Francisco 49ers. However, after years of financial difficulties and an inability to secure a new stadium, the Chargers made the difficult decision to relocate to Los Angeles in 2017.
Their old stadium, the San Diego stadium, which they shared with Major League Baseball side, the San Diego Padres, was outdated and a major revamp was needed to keep it up with modern stadiums that were on the rise. However, this planned renovation failed and the stadium was demolished in 2020.
The Chargers’ move to LA was met with an interweave of emotions, both trepidation and misery. San Diego fans were heartbroken to see their beloved team depart, while Los Angeles welcomed them with open arms. This move marked a significant chapter in the franchise’s history, as they sought a new home and a fresh start in the City of Angels.
Their arrival in LA has sparked a fresh wave of enthusiasm and excitement. The team’s Ultra supporters created the Chargers “Bolt Gang” known for its vibrant energy, passionate support and burgeoning sense of pride, at the team’s newfound SoFi stadium home.
Can Los Angeles support two NFL teams?
So far so good, but as with the NFL, drama is always close by. Some boxes have already been ticked.
The state of the art stadium, SoFi, will surely stand the test of time. The Chargers first competed at the Dignity Health Sports Park, where they ignited new passion from the community around Southern California. This created “LA Bowl” football rivalry with the LA Rams, who have a more traditional following from across LA.
Although the Chargers took some time to be accepted in LA, with proper advertising and unique marketing, especially with the rivalry, business is guaranteed to thrive.
It’s significant to note that Los Angeles is already loaded with professional sports franchises. For the two teams to tap long-term into the risky market, they will need more than a marketing push, audacious slogans and even the State of the art stadium already in use.
Ian Mugo Wanyeki is based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a sports enthusiast with vast knowledge of different sport disciplines. Ian is a graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kenyatta University. He is a Kenyan journalist who’s worked as a sports analyst at Covenant Television Network, as a sports reporter at NTV and as a Sports Correspondent/contributor at Quartz Africa.