As the coronavirus restrictions loosen throughout the nation, Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. made an announcement this week that will resonate in the city and beyond.
Mayor Butts stated publically for the first time he supports the decision of the National Football League (NFL) plan to begin the season on schedule in September.
If the NFL does proceed in the process of starting the most popular sport in America on time, it will mean that newly built SoFi Stadium will be open for business in Inglewood.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic that has paralyzed the globe, construction of the $5 billion home to both the Rams and Chargers have continued without interruption.
“It is only responsible for the league to prepare for all alternatives and we will be ready if they can make adjustments to their plan of playing the entire 2020 season as scheduled,” Mayor Butts told Inglewood Today.
The news of the NFL season does not impact the current State of Emergency that Inglewood will continue to operate under until further notice.
“League and City decisions will continue to be guided by the latest advice from medical and public health officials as well as current and future government relations,” continued Mayor Butts.
The Mayor reiterated: “The primary focus remains protecting the health of our fans, players, club and league personnel. The games will only happen if safe for players, fans and the community.”
Whether or not the NFL stadiums will even feature spectators has been the focus of ongoing debate.
The Miami Dolphins have contingency plans for games to be played with a limited number of fans adhering to social distance regulations that have been implemented nationwide.
For Inglewood, starting the 2020 NFL season has enormous ramifications.
As a crippled economy moans for help, the NFL will instantly provide thousands of stadium jobs here in Inglewood and throughout the nation where NFL teams are located.
The 2020 season is set to kick off on Sept. 10, with the first full weekend of games on Sept. 13-14.
