NFL fans livid at cruel State Farm twist of fate for LA Rams as wildfires rip through city
NFL fans have slammed the decision to choose State Farm Stadium as the backup arena for the Los Angeles Rams’ playoff game after the insurance company canceled coverage for thousands of California homeowners ahead of this week’s wildfires.
The LA Rams were scheduled to host the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium on Monday night in the first round of the NFL playoffs.
But after mentioning Arizona’s State Farm Stadium as a potential backup for the game, the league has now officially moved the event to Glendale.
Even before that decision was made official Thursday night, many fans are pointing out that the insurance company that bought the naming rights to the Cardinals field has refused to accept new insurance applications for homeowners from Californians.
Then last year, the company announced it would stop covering 72,000 homes across California in an effort to prevent “financial failure.”
Many areas around Los Angeles, California, have been devastated by deadly wildfires
The LA Rams will host the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL playoffs on Monday night
The game takes place at SoFi Stadium in the city of Inglewood in Los Angeles County
The move came amid the increasing frequency and severity of forest fires in the state. But the decision to use State Farm Stadium has nonetheless sparked backlash among some supporters.
“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.
Last summer, it is said, 70 percent of State Farm’s customers in the area — about 1,600 homeowners — lost their insurance.
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 game could still be moved to State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals
Multiple fires have caused destruction across most of Los Angeles in recent days
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.
DailyMail.com has contacted the NFL for comment.
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.’