Southern California Sports Venues Adopt Fan Code Of Conduct

L.A. sports, government and law enforcement officials today are scheduled to announce “the adoption of a uniform Southern California Fan Code of Conduct,” according to Helene Elliott of the L.A. TIMES. The 10-point code, intended to “promote fans' enjoyment and safety, will be applied at every major pro and college venue in the area.” The “united effort spearheaded” by the L.A. Sports Council will “provide consistency by focusing on key principles that will be in effect at every venue.” The code will be “publicized in various ways, perhaps including public service announcements featuring athletes and celebrities.” The Fan Behavior Task Force “will monitor the effectiveness of the code.” Staples Center Senior VP & GM Lee Zeidman said that “unity and sharing information will be crucial” (L.A. TIMES, 8/27). L.A. Sports Council President David Simon said that the “biggest news to come out of this initiative is that for the first time a vast majority of teams and facilities covering a region of 20 million residents sat down together to share best practices.” Simon said, “We got all the venues singing from the same hymn books.” SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Don Muret notes the task force “has not determined how the code will be spelled out to fans at sports events in Southern California.” Simon said that “most likely, there will be signs displayed at arenas and stadiums, with audio and video messages played over loudspeakers and scoreboards.” But he added that how the venues “enforce the code and whether they increase security forces is up to the individual buildings” (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/27 issue). Listed below are activities fans are being encouraged to refrain from, as well as a list of venues that are participating (THE DAILY).

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FAN CODE OF CONDUCT
1	Profanity or other offensive language, whether spoken or appearing on apparel.
2	Smoking (except in designated smoking areas).
3	Intoxication or excessive alcohol consumption.
4	Bringing prohibited items into the venue.
5	Throwing of items or liquids.
6	Entering the playing field or court at any time.
7	Fighting or other threatening behavior.
8	Failure to retain ticket and/or present it to event staff if requested to do so.
9	Resale of tickets at the venue.
10	Violation of state or local laws.

PARTICIPATING VENUES
Rose Bowl	Staples Center
L.A. Memorial Coliseum	Honda Center
Dodger Stadium	Galen Center (USC)
Angel Stadium	Pauley Pavilion (UCLA)
Auto Club Speedway	Home Depot Center
Santa Anita Park

AVOIDING BOTTLENECKS: In Oakland, Angela Woodall notes the Raiders "plan to offer promotions beginning Sept. 10 to lure fans into the Coliseum well before kickoff to cut down on the number of people trying to squeeze into the stadium closer to game time.” Ticket holders who “arrive at least an hour before kickoff will be eligible to enter drawings for autographed memorabilia, field passes, locker room tours and other extras.” The O.co Coliseum's new facility operator, AEG, "worried about bottlenecks at the 46-year-old facility whose entryways are narrower and fewer" than in modern stadiums. The Coliseum authority also “approved paying $340,000 for 110 machines that resemble devices used at courthouses and airports.” They are “not X-ray machines.” The Raiders and AEG said that they “received compliments about the machines” (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 8/26).