LAFC has produced a PSA "addressed to the people" of L.A. in which a "roster deep in All-Pros and All-Stars asks fans to stay together, stay united and observe social-distancing guidelines," according to Kevin Baxter of the L.A. TIMES. Recently, LAFC Dir of Digital & Content Will Walsh approached the professional sports franchises in the Southland, "plus the two major colleges, and asked for a volunteer from each organization to tape a public-service announcement" repeating L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti's guidelines for dealing with COVID-19. The PSA, which each contributor "recorded on his or her cellphone," features Angels CF Mike Trout and Dodgers P Walker Buehler; NHL Kings RW Dustin Brown and Ducks D Josh Manson; and Galaxy MF Jonathan dos Santos and LAFC MF Eduard Atuesta, who "speak in the video in both Spanish and English." It also features Lakers F Kyle Kuzma, Clippers G Landry Shamet and WNBA L.A. Sparks F Nneka Ogwumike; Rams QB Jared Goff and Chargers S Derwin James; and XFL L.A. Wildcats WR Nelson Spruce, UCLA men's basketball coach Mick Cronin and USC football S Talanoa Hufanga. The players "emphasize that people must wash their hands, avoid public gatherings and hoarding of food, and stay away from crowded stores." Manson says, "We are all in this together." Then, several athletes "join in with a chorus of 'this is bigger than sports'" (L.A. TIMES, 4/7).
CHI-TOWN SOUND: In Chicago, Colleen Kane reports city Mayor Lori Lightfoot "walked onto Soldier Field" yesterday to "launch an ad campaign called 'We Are Not Playing' in conjunction with the Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs, Fire, Red Stars, Sky and White Sox." The campaign will include digital ads, billboards and social media messages from players "encouraging people to comply" with Illinois' stay-at-home order. The teams today "tweeted out photos of their empty stadiums, with the words 'We are not playing and neither should you.'" White Sox LF Eloy Jimenez and Cubs C Willson Contreras were "among the players to immediately share messages." FCB, Chicago, developed the campaign (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/6). Meanwhile, in K.C., Pete Grathoff noted the Royals on Friday released a PSA featuring Chair & CEO John Sherman, Senior VP/Baseball Operations & GM Dayton Moore and several players (K.C. STAR, 4/4).
