This past Sunday, the Los Angeles Football Club (“LAFC”) traveled to Utah to play Real Salt Lake (“RSL”). The game resulted in a 3-0 loss as RSL defeated LAFC. However, the storyline of the game was not the result of the game itself, but the conditions in which the game was played. What was supposed to be a 2 p.m. kickoff ended up being delayed by two (2) hours due to high winds and nearby lightning strikes.[1] Furthermore, the freezing temperatures resulted in relentless blizzard like conditions throughout the game.[2]
The snowstorm was one of the worst winter storms Utah has had this year.[3] The LAFC coach, Steve Cherundolo (“Cherundolo”), was furious that the game was played under the conditions. Cherundolo went on to say in his post-game interview that it was an “absolute disgrace that his team’s match against RSL went ahead despite a blizzard engulfing the America First Field in Sandy, Utah on Saturday.”[4] Cherundolo felt that the conditions were unplayable, even going as far as to say that it was “an absolute joke that [they] had to play.”[5]
Cherundolo’s biggest concern was not the result of the game; it was the safety of his players. Cherundolo made clear that he did not think the players should have been out there playing. While the temperatures were not as low, this is comparable to the Kansas City Chiefs (the “Chiefs”) game versus the Miami Dolphins (the “Dolphins”) in the first round of the NFL playoffs this past season. In both of these contests, the safety of both the players and the fans were in jeopardy due to the severe winter weather.
During the Chiefs versus Dolphins game, the temperatures got as low as -28 degrees with the wind chill.[6] The Kansas City Fire Department reported that during the game they rendered aid to over thirty (30) fans for hypothermia symptoms, with some having to be transported to a hospital.[7] A University of Georgia professor stated that he thought “the conditions in Kansas City were extremely dangerous.”[8]
In light of both the LAFC versus RSL game and the Chiefs versus Dolphins game, it is apparent that extreme weather conditions pose risks to both the players and the fans. With professional sports being billion-dollar businesses, the players have no choice but to play in these harsh conditions. In such cold temperatures the playing surfaces begin to freeze, turning the soft grass into concrete. The cold weather and hard playing surfaces make it much easier for players to sustain injuries.[9]
Players at least have the luxury of heaters on the sidelines to help warm them up. Fans, on the other hand, do not have that luxury. Fans at the Chiefs game were allowed to bring in blankets to help stay warm.[10] However, I do not think that blankets will do much good in -28 degree weather, or in a blizzard like the LAFC game.
Leagues need to do a better job of addressing the cold weather. Whether it be soccer or football, most teams play outside and are forced to brave the elements. However, injuries due to severe weather can be prevented. Players and fans should not have to risk injury in order to play or watch the game they love. Ultimately, professional leagues need to be willing to put the safety of their players and fans ahead of making money.
[1] LAFC head coach condemns MLS game played in heavy snow as an ‘absolute disgrace’ | CNN
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Id.
[6] NFL’s policy over cold-weather games questioned after fans treated for hypothermia and frostbite at Chiefs-Dolphins game | CNN
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] Id.
[10] Id.
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