The Direct Comparison
Taking a deep dive into the deep-seated rivalry in Los Angeles, we’re setting the stage between two NFL juggernauts, the LA Rams and LA Chargers. At first glance, this might seem like just another competition between identical twins, both being football clubs and all. But turning the tables, a closer look reveals a stark $2 billion disparity – a discrepancy that places the Rams far ahead, according to Forbes in 2020.
The LA Rams, priced at an impressive $3.8 billion, makes them the fourth most valuable football team globally. On the contrary, the LA Chargers struggle to keep up, with an estimated evaluation of $2.6 billion – an unfortunate lower half ranking. This disparity makes one question – why the colossal monetary difference? Let’s examine a few determining factors that have led to the Rams surpassing the Chargers by such a significant margin.
Rams completing their turf
One compelling reason for the Rams’ standing a notch ahead is tied to their full rights of the state-of-art SoFi Stadium worth 5 billion dollars. The Rams and the Chargers might concomitantly call SoFi home, but the Rams stand as the primary tenant, increasing their intrinsic value exponentially. Moreover, it was Stan Kroenke, the owner of the Rams, who initiated and funded the SoFi Stadium development, giving the Rams a greater claim to the arena.
Television Rights and Fan Base
Another crucial factor contributing to the Rams’ fan-based wealth expansion over the Chargers is television rights. The Rams have deeper pockets when it comes to television coverage, bagging an exclusive and lucrative deal with Time Warner, which broadcasts their games to millions of fans across the globe, further enhancing their marketability and revenue stream.
The Rams have also grown in popularity immensely due to their better performance on the field, which has led to a wider fan base. Winning the NFC championship game and subsequent Super Bowl LIII appearance has indeed placed the Rams in the spotlight, adding a glamorous touch. Conversely, the Chargers have struggled on the field, lowering their popularity, which in turn affects their market value.
Franchise History
The length and depth of the Rams’ franchise history in LA compared to the Chargers also play a pivotal role in their higher valuation. The Rams boast substantial historical ties to Los Angeles, having been an integral part of the city’s sport history since 1946, before a temporary move to St. Louis. Their triumphant return to LA in 2016 has been welcomed by their passionate fanbase.
On the other hand, the Chargers originated in Los Angeles but made San Diego their home for over 50 years. Their unpopular return to LA in 2017 has yet been unable to build up significant fan support or historical nostalgia, especially when compared to the fanatically followed Rams.
In conclusion, from stadium rights to a superior fan base, encouraging TV deals to franchise history, the Rams continue to outclass the Chargers in terms of worth. The combination of all these aspect constitutes a $2 billion advantage for the Rams. However, in the world of sports, one could argue that the playing field could level at any moment, given the right sequence of performances, decisions, and strategic moves. Who knows what the future holds? Only time will tell if the Rams maintain their impressive lead or if the Chargers find a way to close the significant gap.