The skeleton of the $2.6B Inglewood stadium for the Rams and Chargers is "starting to come together" and is "beginning to look like a stadium," according to Dan Woike of the L.A. TIMES. Chargers Chair Dean Spanos said, "Just to look at it, you see the size and enormity of this project." Woike notes more than 2 million hours of labor "have been completed by construction workers" on the project (L.A. TIMES, 1/4). In L.A., Jack Wang notes the project is "only a quarter or so completed, but it’s a long way from where everything stood early last year -- when heavy rains pushed the projected opening date" from '19 to '20. An irrigation system has "since been added to prevent any future delays." Spanos: "It’s moving at rapid speed." Wang notes the Chargers and Rams will "likely take similar measures to create a unique experience for their respective events" at the venue. Spanos: "This is going to be basically digitized to the point where, you flip the switch, and it’s all branded Chargers. Flip another switch, it’s all branded Rams. Flip another switch, it’ll be two colleges playing here." Wang notes a "bigger challenge" will be "actually filling the seats." The Chargers have an "even tougher hill to climb" than the Rams, as they currently play at the 27,000-seat StubHub Center. Spanos "took a wait-and-see approach on fan turnout." Asked about attendance this season, Spanos said, "I thought it was great. It was good. Look, we've said this before: We're the new guys on the block ... This isn't something we expected to happen in a year." Asked if the team can generate enough interest to fill a 70,000-seat stadium, Spanos added, "I don't have a doubt about it" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 1/4).
ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM: Spanos admitted to SBJ that he is pulling for the Rams this postseason. Spanos: "I’m rooting for them and hope they do real well in the playoffs. Nothing could be better than if they go to the Super Bowl and win it. I wish it could be us, but I’m rooting for them" (THE DAILY).
