Twelve sports teams in Los Angeles and Anaheim announced Monday that they would contribute more than $8 million to support victims of the wildfires that have plagued the area since last week.
The Anaheim Ducks, Angel City FC, LAFC, LA Galaxy, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Sparks made the announcement in a joint statement.
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Water is dropped by helicopter on the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (Ethan Swope/AP)
The money must go to support victims and those who fight the fires. The American Red Cross, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Fire Foundation, Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, California Community Foundation Wildlife Recovery Fund, Team Rubicon and several other local animal rescue organizations were designated as recipients of donations.
Los Angeles residents who were forced to evacuate their homes due to the fires will also receive about $3 million worth of Fanatics merchandise. The teams, in partnership with their own foundations, teamed up with Fanatics and the Fanatics Foundation to deliver the gear. Evacuees can participate in the distribution events on January 17 at Dodger Stadium, SoFi Stadium and BMO Stadium.
The wildfires have left dozens dead and thousands of structures burned. Several games have either been canceled or moved due to the wildfires.
The Palisades Fire near the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on January 11, 2025. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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The Rams were scheduled to host the Minnesota Vikings in their playoff game Monday night, but the game was moved to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The Lakers already saw a game postponed last week because of the fires. The team said Monday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs will be dedicated to the Los Angeles community.
“We are committed as always to Los Angeles,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said in a press release. “We recognize that it is not just our community that has been affected by this. We are committed to helping people as much as we can, and we will.”
Officials warned earlier Monday that the threat to the area is not over.
“We’re not in the clear. I want to be sure of that. We’re not in the clear yet and we mustn’t let our guard down,” Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick reacts during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. (Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Photos)
“As the increasing wind event is upon us as we speak, the Los Angeles City Fire Department has maximized our resource capacity and response capacity,” Crowley added. “All available LAFD resources have been manned. I have strategically pre-positioned motor assault teams and task forces dedicated to rapid response to any new fire that breaks out in the city.”
