By Isaac Cox, Feb. 4, 2025
In the wake of the fires that devastated Los Angeles communities, 12 major league sports teams partnered with Fanatics and various organizations to launch the LA Strong campaign in an effort to show support for the affected residents and raise money for assistance.
The teams that united included the Dodgers, the Lakers, the Sparks, the Rams and the Chargers among other teams. Fanatics, a professional collegiate sports apparel company, launched the branded collection, priced at $35 per shirt. The profits, according to the company, will be donated to the American Red Cross and the LA Fire Department Foundation.
Nearly 200,000 residents have been affected by evacuation orders, and 29 people were killed in the fires. Patric Bello, a mechanical engineering student, said he was not directly affected by the fire, but his friend’s family lost their home and detailed the importance of the teams showing support.
“I think it’s pretty important for these sports teams to show support for the city, because the city supports them,” said Bello. “In this situation where there are fans losing everything, I feel like the teams need to give back to those fans who have been there for all the wins and losses.”
Mark Walter, the controlling owner of the Dodgers, donated $100 million to fire relief. Some Dodgers have followed suit, such as Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Chris Taylor and ex-Dodger Justin Turner, collectively donating almost $1 million.
Lakers head coach JJ Reddick was one of the LA residents affected by the fires when his house burned down, and the team had to reschedule a few home games due to the crisis.
The Lakers, Clippers and Sparks donated a total of $23 million to show their support for the city and its first responders. The Lakers also hosted a donation drive to those affected by the fires as well.
Vrishin Vijayanand, a marketing student, emphasized the importance of using a large platform to help people in need.
“Being one of the cities with the most championships and so much culture, it’s important that they give back to the communities that supported them,” said Vijayanand.
During the NFL playoffs, Rams head coach Sean McVay and the team’s players wore shirts and sweaters that read “LAFD” as well, showing support to the firefighters of LA.
Jacob Garcia, a mechanical engineering student, explained the benefit of the Rams wearing their fire support merch.
“You have the LA Rams playing against the Philadelphia Eagles on live TV, and people in Philadelphia will see that and can possibly get more help toward these fires,” said Garcia. “That’s a big one. More help and more support with people understanding what’s going on in the world.”
Twelve total LA teams made posts on social media to show support and make announcements for the donation drives that took place, as well as to promote a donation concert held at the Clippers’ new stadium, Intuit Dome, Jan. 30.
The LAFC and Angel City FC made videos of its players showing support to the city of LA on Instagram. Both LA hockey teams, the Kings and Ducks, made awareness posts on Instagram for the audience to see their care for LA.
For decades, fans of Los Angeles sports teams have shown their full support, and now the teams are returning the favor. If any Cal Poly Pomona students are interested in donating to relief efforts, many organizations are taking donations that will be contributed to the city.
Feature image courtesy of Connor Hampton
