As the winds that fueled the deadly fires in the Los Angeles region have subsided, members of the sports community are beginning to grapple with the aftermath. Los Angeles Lakers coach revealed that his family lost their rented home in the fire in Pacific Palisades this week, expressing deep emotional distress over the loss.
The NBA took action by postponing Saturday's home games for both the Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers to ensure no resources are diverted from wildfire response efforts. The Arizona Cardinals stadium staff worked tirelessly to host an NFL playoff game on short notice after the LA Rams-Minnesota Vikings game was relocated due to the fires.
The NFL family is contributing $5 million to support communities affected by the wildfires, with various teams and organizations providing aid. In college basketball, UCLA will be idle on Sunday as Northwestern declined to travel to Los Angeles due to concerns about the ongoing fires.
USC is still scheduled to host Penn State on Sunday, while Pepperdine has adjusted game times for its doubleheader against Loyola Marymount. The Los Angeles Kings' home game against Calgary was postponed, with the team showing support for the LAFD.
Despite the impact on the racing community, Santa Anita Park and the horses stabled there remain unharmed. Jockey Mario Gutierrez lost his home in the fire, and several trainers were forced to evacuate. U.S. Soccer has moved its January training camp to Florida due to the fires, prioritizing the safety of players and staff.
USC canceled its outdoor swimming meet against UC San Diego on Saturday due to potential air quality concerns in downtown Los Angeles. The sports community continues to navigate the challenges posed by the wildfires, with various organizations and individuals coming together to provide support and assistance.
