NFL makes difficult decision on Monday’s Vikings-Rams playoff game in LA as fires continue to ravage area

The NFL is moving Monday’s playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams to Glendale, Arizona due to the ongoing fires ravaging Southern California.

“In the interest of public safety, Monday’s Vikings-Rams Wild Card game has been moved from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA to State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, the NFL announced today,” the statement said. competition statement.

“The decision was made in consultation with government officials, participating clubs and the NFLPA.

“The match will air on ESPN, ABC, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes at its scheduled time of 8:00 PM EST. Tickets go on sale Friday morning at 10 a.m. PT via Seatgeek.com for Rams season ticket members and at noon PT for the general public. More information about ticket sales will follow as soon as possible.’

Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium is consumed by an ominous yellow haze amid the wildfires that have claimed five lives so far. Even the team’s practice facility in Woodland Hills appeared to be affected, as smoke from the Palisades fire could be seen overhead.

Los Angeles has been ravaged by multiple wildfires all week after two days of unusual winds across the vast metropolitan area. Although none of the fires are burning near SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, the NFL is rescheduling the game due to concerns about air quality, community strain and potential demands on police and fire personnel.

Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams lines up for the snap during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium on October 24

Smoke from a wildfire rises over the Los Angeles Rams NFL football training facility

NFL fans have condemned the decision to choose State Farm Stadium because of the sponsor’s refusal to accept new home insurance applications from California. Then last year, the company announced it would stop covering 72,000 homes across California in an effort to prevent “financial failure.”

“Imagine you live in LA, you’re a Rams fan, and you lost your home in a fire for which State Farm revoked your coverage, and now you have to watch your team play at State Farm Stadium this weekend,” wrote one fan. social media.

‘NFL says the Vikings-Rams game would be moved to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ if necessary.

“The same state farm that sponsors a football stadium but canceled its insurance just before the fire,” said another.

A third added: “State Farm Stadium. The same State Farm that pulled out of California and screwed over the policyholders directly affected by the fires? For God’s sake, @NFL, read the room’.

According to the New York Timesmany homeowners in the wealthy Pacific Palisades neighborhood are unable to find or maintain coverage.

Multiple fires have caused destruction across most of Los Angeles in recent days

The game could still be moved to State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals

Last summer, it is said, 70 percent of State Farm’s customers in the area — about 1,600 homeowners — lost their insurance.

A spokesperson for State Farm told DailyMail.com: ‘Our first priority at this time is the safety of our customers, agents and employees affected by the fires and assisting our customers in the midst of this tragedy.’

Fires have been burning through the area since Tuesday and by Thursday they had spread to surrounding suburbs after a storm blew embers and debris in all directions.

The death toll now stands at five as firefighters continue to battle in hellish conditions to try to stem the destruction.

Many residents will rely on their fire insurance to repair damage caused by the blaze, which is on track to become the most devastating fire ever recorded.

It is estimated that the final bill could reach $60 billion, with experts saying damage from the deadly fires could become the most expensive in US history.