Remember those episodes of Fear Factor where people sat in tubs of snakes or spiders? The contestant would stick a foot in, chicken out, and pull it out in fear. Eventually, he/she would sink into the tub regretfully, holding onto hope of a large paycheck. This same insanity is required to be a sports fan in Southern California. It hurts every season, but hope for a miracle winning season prevails.
Speaking from experience, usually when things are good in Southern California sports, they’re great. But when they’re bad, chaos ensues- flipped cars, fans boycotting game attendance, and flying trade talks.. Although this happens in other cities, panic mode seems much more pronounced with SoCal Teams. Why is that?
The Good
The Angels, Dodgers, Clippers, Lakers, Sparks, Chargers, Rams, all the various LA college teams- Southern California has a highly saturated sports scene. This market will likely continue growing. Why? Because once you have proven interesting, the LA fans will always ride for you. Prominent jersey sales, the glitz and glam of Hollywood A-listers seen at sporting events, the storied franchises- Why wouldn’t any young athlete be enticed by the sights & sounds of LA?
“I love the scenery, the great weather, the fact that it doesn’t rain here. And it’s looking like we’re going to be playing in front of sold out crowds…we’re excited.” -Todd Gurley (LA Rams) on move to LA
Celebrities Who Are Noted Lakers Fans & Attend Games Frequently
Leonardo DiCaprio, Adam Levine, Richard Sherman, Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, Justin Timberlake, Vanessa Hudgens, Lil Wayne, Christina Millian, Snoop Dogg, Sophia Bush, Ken Jeong
The Bad & the Ugly
On the other hand, to assume that a team will succeed just because they are based in LA has also proven to be a faulty method- just ask the LA Chargers. Yes, the possibility of profiting from the market in the lavish valleys of Southern California is high, but with reward also comes risk. Teams are constantly trying to top each other. The Angels have missed playoffs 7/8 of their previous years, while the Dodgers tasted victory last year but could not quite get there. The USC/UCLA rivalry draws scouts every year and falling on such a big stage can often be an excruciating low point, if not the end of a career entirely.
Sometimes- most times- In-N-Out, the LA nightlife, and past banners from decades before, are simply not enough to convince a player to uproot his/her family and move. There has to be more motivation than just the superficial.
“The Lakers are like the cool older brother who everyone knows and either loves or hates. The Clippers are the nice younger brother who does his own thing and no one really believes they are related.” -Scott Fender from Bleacher Report
“The whole thing with our team, a lot of people see the wins and losses and stuff like that, but it’s the culture of our team. If you ain’t trying to contend with the Warriors then what are we doing? There is no reason to be playing if you aren’t playing to win” -Chris Paul on LA Clippers
Chris Paul’s comment struck me because what if he’s right? What if the Clippers are doomed to be noncontenders because the culture around that organization is so used to losing? What then can be changed about the way Southern California teams recruit and attempt to maintain players?
The Way Out
- Teams have to present an honest pitch from the start. The Lakers cannot keep using Kobe Bryant to entice people over because he’s no longer there. The Clippers cannot keep preaching a desire to change the culture and become a premier team without following through and actually putting in different work to gain different results. USC cannot continue to expect out of state athletes to pick them over other, cheaper, schools on the basis of good weather and a famed campus. All of these teams have to be able to look a recruit in the eye and honestly say, “We cannot promise wins, but we can promise that we will invest in helping you reach your highest potential.”
- What goes on in locker rooms is often overlooked, but it matters. No guy is going to go out there, risking injury, to fight for a team that has made it clear that he/she is nothing more than a temporary asset. The Hollywood lifestyle that promotes athlete as replacable entertainers undermines a player’s sense of belonging. Yes, the sports industry is a business, but players shouldn’t feel disposable. These franchises have to start to affirm, value, and respect their players both in game and outside.
- LA coaches across multiple leagues have been known to be fired at the drop of a hat, but it is unrealistic to expect a culture change overnight. Athletes who feel wanted, want to play for you. When both players and coaches feel respected and valued by their organizations, no one has to jump through hoops or double paychecks to keep them.
- Outside the locker room, fan culture also affects all sports teams. As fans, lowering expectations would probably help all of our blood pressures return to a healthy state.
- Both rookies and veterans on teams like the Galaxy, the UCLA women’s basketball team, have struggled and been told that because they play in Los Angeles, they should have thicker skin and expect more scrutiny. They need to know that the fans will be there, win or lose. They need to be able to focus on their play and not worry about outside distractions. No, we didn’t ask for the Chargers to leave San Diego but they’re here and it looks bad on the fanbase in LA if they continue to shun them or ridicule them. With most of the sports teams in Los Angeles rebuilding, these young players need support more than anything.
When Southern California teams start recruiting with integrity, valuing and affirming their players and coaches, and fans support the teams unconditionally- THAT is how the culture changes. The narrative becomes ours- not the media’s or fans from other parts of the country. The losses become easier to handle, and may even become fewer in number, when fans of Los Angeles teams present a formidable front.
“Devotion from the average Los Angeles sports fan is never given, it is earned. Every practice, every game, every season…even if that means empty seats in the stadium in the meantime. But when you win, you really WIN.” Bill Plaschke (LA Times) on empty NFL stadiums in LA
#WeLoveLA, so let’s start acting like it. And for the love of God let’s get back to winning.
