NFL and teams announce donation of millions to help victims of wildfires in the Los Angeles region
NFL announced that it will donate $5 million to wildfire relief efforts as Southern California continues to battle wildfires.
“Led by individual contributions from clubs and ownership groups from the Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans and the NFL Foundation, these funds will deliver vital funds to local organizations supporting those affected by the wildfires,” the NFL said in a statement on Friday.
“We are heartbroken by the devastating losses experienced by so many people in the Los Angeles area and inspired by the heroism of the first responders and residents who supported their neighbors,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said.
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Two people ride bicycles in an area damaged by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (Jae C. Hong/AP)
“The NFL family is committed to working with the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams to support their local communities in their time of need.”
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More than 10,000 buildings have been destroyed by the fire since Friday morning, officials confirmed. Authorities also confirmed that the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Kenneth Fire, Hurst Fire and Lidia Fire have burned more than 27,000 acres across the Los Angeles area.
Vikings and the Wilf Family Foundation announced a $1 million donation to help. Brothers Zygi and Mark Wilf and cousin Leonard Wilf own the Vikings.
“The Vikings and Wilf Family Foundations are contributing $1 million to support relief efforts on the ground in communities affected by the California wildfires,” Viking statement he said.
Smoke from recent wildfires obscures the sun at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Also Friday, Houston Texans confirmed a $1 million contribution to “provide support and resources to those affected by the wildfires.”
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SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., was originally scheduled to host Monday’s NFC wild-card game between the Rams and Vikings. But The NFL moved the game to State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, as wildfires continue to ravage the region.
State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Jan. 5, 2025, before the game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers. (Matt Kartozian/Imagn Images)
On Thursday, a fire broke out just a few kilometers from rams training complex in Woodland Hills, California, and smoke was visible from the team’s practice field, ESPN reported. The Rams and Chargers are scheduled to play playoff games this weekend, and both teams practiced outdoors on Thursday. Some Chargers players decided to wear masks during practice.
On Friday afternoon, ESPN reported that the Cardinals sent one of their Boeing 777s to Los Angeles to transport Rams players, staff, their families and some pets to Arizona. The Cardinals are also making their practice facility available to the Rams, according to ESPN Adam Schefter.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Chargers said the franchise will provide $200,000 in targeted funding to the American Red Cross, the LA Fire Department Foundation, Team Rubicon and pet rescue organizations that care for animals displaced by the wildfires.
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The FOX Corporation has donated a million dollars to the American Red Cross fire relief efforts in California. The donation will help the agency provide safe shelter, hot meals, emotional support and resources to aid recovery in the region.
FOX Corporation, which continues to be an annual partner of the Disaster Giving Program, encourages viewers to contribute to help families affected by the devastating wildfires. To donate, visit GO.FOX/RED CROSS
A list of available shelters compiled by the American Red Cross in Los Angeles can be found find here.
Fox News’ Yael Halon contributed to this report.
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