NFL fans have slammed the decision to choose State Farm Stadium as the backup arena for the Los Angeles Rams’ playoff game after the insurance company cancelled coverage for thousands of California homeowners ahead of this week’s wildfires.
The LA Rams were slated to host the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium in the first round of the NFL playoffs on Monday night.
But, after naming State Farm Stadium in Arizona as a potential backup for the game, the league has now officially relocated the event to Glendale.
Even before that decision was made official on Thursday evening, many fans point out that the insurance company that bought the naming rights for the Cardinals’ field has refused to accept new homeowners-insurance applications from Californians.
Last year, the company then revealed it would stop covering 72,000 homes across California in an attempt to avoid ‘financial failure’.
The move came amid the growing frequency and severity of wildfires in the state. But the decision to use State Farm Stadium has nevertheless sparked backlash among some supporters.
‘Imagine that you live in LA, are a Rams fan, and you lost your house in a fire that State Farm revoked your coverage for, and now you have to watch your team play this weekend in State Farm Stadium,’ one fan wrote on social media.
‘NFL says Vikings-Rams game would be moved to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ if necessary.
‘The same State Farm that sponsors a football stadium but cancelled insurance policies right before the fire,’ another said.
A third added: ‘State Farm Stadium. The same State Farm that pulled out of California and screwed over policyholders being directly impacted by the fires? For God’s sake, @NFL, read the room’.
According to the New York Times, many homeowners in the wealthy neighborhood of Pacific Palisades cannot find – or keep – coverage.
Last summer, it’s said, 70 percent of State Farm’s customers in the neighborhood – around 1,600 homeowners – lost their insurance.
Fires have been tearing through the area since Tuesday and, by Thursday, they had spread to surrounding suburbs after a windstorm carried embers and debris in all directions.
Imagine that you live in LA, are a Rams fan, and you lost your house in a fire that State Farm revoked your coverage for, and now you have to watch your team play this weekend in State Farm Stadium. https://t.co/EsWj6MlQh2
— Ralph Amsden (@ralphamsden) January 9, 2025
The death toll has now reached five, with firefighters still battling hellish conditions in an attempt to stem the devastation.
Many residents will rely on their fire insurance to repair the damage caused by the blaze, which is on track to be the most destructive blaze ever.
It’s estimated that the final bill could reach $60 billion, with experts saying that the damage from the deadly fires could become the most costly in US history.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the NFL for comment.
A spokesperson for State Farm told DailyMail.com: ‘Our number one priority right now is the safety of our customers, agents and employees impacted by the fires and assisting our customers in the midst of this tragedy.’
