LosAngelesRams

CrisisManagementPlan

CrisisManagementTeam

AveryFaehling
EricaRopson
BryanKonicek
DylanBuboltz
BenjaminKoenigs

TABLEOFCONTENTS
Introduction

CompanyOverview

NoteFromTheCEO

RamsGoldenValues

CrisisManagementTeam

CrisisManagementTeamContactList

CrisisControlCenter

Stakeholder/AudienceAnalysis

StakeholderContactList

15

RehearsalSchedule

17

Incidentreport1

18

Incidentreport2

19

Incidentreport3

20

Incidentreport4

21

RiskManagementGrid

22

BangForBuckAudienceCommunication

26

Personnel

26

Information

28

Criminal

30

NaturalDisasters

32

Economic

34

Physical

36

Reputation

38

CrisisFlowChart

40

Likelihood&DamageGraphs

41

QuestionandAnswerPreparation

51

Background

53

FactSheet

54

WorksCited

55

AppendixA100Facts

57

Introduction
Nomatterthelocationandadversitythatisbroughtoutway,theLosAngelesRamsare
alwayspreparedandplantoexecuteproperlywhentheunexpectedarises.Ourorganization
valueseverybrandandindividualthatweencountersomethingwehavedonesincewewere
foundedin1936.Westrivetomaintainstrongandpositiverelationships,awinningatmosphere,

anentertainingfootballteamthatunitespeople,andanunforgettableexperienceforallfans.

CompanyOverview
WhentheRamswerefirstfoundedbackin1936,HomerMarshmanandDamonWetzel
hadawinningmentalitythatcarriedoverthroughoutthehistoryofthefranchise.Theychoose
theRamsbecauseitwasshortandwouldfitinanewspaperheadline.TheRamsstartedin
Clevelandwheretheyfoundtheirfirstchampionshipin1945,oneseasonpriortotheirmoveto
LosAngelesin1946.

In1995,theRamsmadethemovetoSt.Louisandthefornext21seasons,theyfound
successbycapturingtheteam'sfirstSuperBowlintheyear1999,wheretheydefeatedthe
TennesseeTitansliterallybyoneyard.TheyhavealsomadeSuperBowlappearancesin1979
and2001.

TheRamsmadetheirwaybacktoLosAngelesafterthe2015seasonwherefansinLos
Angeleswelcomedbacktheirteamwithopenarms.T
heRamswillplaytheirhomegamesatthe
LosAngelesMemorialColiseum
,whichhadbeenhometotheteamfor33seasons,untiltheLos
AngelesEntertainmentCenterisreadyforuse.

WhenfansthinkoftheRamshistory,nameslike,KurtWarner,EricDickerson,Deacon
Jones,JackYoungblood,theythinkofthegreatnesstheRamshasbroughttotheNFLsinceits
inauguralseasonin1937.WhethertheyareinCleveland,St.Louis,orLosAngelesfanswillfeel
the
impactofthepassionthatresonatesfromtheplayers,coachesandanyoneapartofthis
fantasticfootballteam.
ContactUsAt:
LosAngelesRams
OneRamsWay
LosAngeles,CA90001
3149827267

NoteFromTheCEO
April19,2016
ToLosAngelesRamsemployees:
Thefollowingplanistobereaduponitsarrivaltoyouconsideringhowcrucialitistoor
successgoingforward.Theensuingpagesarerelatedtoeveryemployeeduetotheneedfora
teameffortwhenacrisisistohitourvaluedorganization.Acrisiscanoccurmultiplewayssuch
as:naturaldisaster,personnel,physical,criminal,informational,reputational,andeconomic.A
crisiscanalsoimpacttheLosAngelesRamsbothinternallyasateamorexternallythroughour
publics,andwevaluebothsidesoftheorganizationagreatdeal.
TheLosAngelesRamsareafamilythathasastoriedhistoryofinvaluableteamworkto
helponeanothersucceedforalargergoal.Becauseourorganizationbelievesstronglyin
continuousimprovement,weareconfidentthattakingthisstepwillensureamoresustainable
futureforourorganizationandimproveouractionswhenacrisishits.Itisimportanttobe
preparedforacrisisinallsituations,aroundanypeople,oratanytimeorplace.Acrisisplan
allowsourorganizationtocombatsuchanoccurrencetothebestofourability.Itiswithmy
greatesthopethatyouwillembracethefollowingcrisismanagementprocedurestohelpour
belovedorganizationprosperandtakeadvantageofcountlessopportunitiesinthefuture.

KindRegards,

AveryFaehling
ChiefExecutiveOfficer

RamsGoldenValues

RESPONSIBILITY
TheNFLsLosAngelesRamsisdedicatedtoprovidingfansandviewerswiththe
mostentertainingsportsexperiencepossible.

INTEGRITY
Westriveforhonesty,respect,andthehighestsenseofintegrityasmembersof
theLosAngelescommunity.

LEADERSHIP
Ourorganization'smembersareexpectedtobeleadersandrolemodelsinevery
communitytheytouch.

COMMUNITY
SupportingLosAngeles,thecommunitieswevisit,andourworldwidefans
throughcauses,volunteerism,programs,andcharities.

RESPECT
Wepracticegood,competitivesportsmanship,honorhardworkandcommitment
andembracediversity.

EXCELLENCE
Welooktoputourorganizationinapositionwheresuccesscanbeattainableand
reachableeverydayonthefieldandinthecommunity.

LOYALTY
Wecontinuouslysupportoneanotherandstrivetomeettheneedsofourfans
andemployees.

EQUALITY
Nomattertitle,status,norgender,theLosAngelesRamsprovideequal
opportunitiestoeverymemberoftheLosAngelesRamsfamily.

SAFETY
Thesafetyofourfans,players,andemployeesisoneofourutmostvalues.We
strivetocontinuouslyimproveoursafetyproceduresandproperlyimplement
safetyrulesasprovidedbytheNationalFootballLeague.

CrisisManagementTeam

AveryFaehling
ChiefExecutiveOfficer
Averygrewupafanexperiencingmanygenerationsoftheteamandbecameamemberof
theRamsorganizationthroughvariouspositionsinthebusinessandadministrations
department.AveryholdsanMBAfromPurdueuniversity.Hebelievesthekeytoevery
businessisthinkingstrategically,communicatingeffectively,andprovidingthebestbang
forthebuck.

EricaRopson
PublicRelationsManager
Ericaistheheartandsoleofconnectingourorganizationtothefans,media,andworld
widepublic.Shehasapassionforbuildingmemoriesandrelationshipsthatwilllastour
fanbasealifetime.Ericahandlesallmediainquiriesandbehindthescenefan
experiences.ShehasanMBAinsportsmarketingfromNorthwesternUniversity.

BryanKonicek
ChiefofSecurity
BryanisresponsibleforthesafetyandsecurityoftheLosAngelesRamsorganization.
Thisincludesthesafetyandsecurityofallteamfacilities,staff,personnel,andsponsored
events.Heisinchargeofallhiredsecurity,andeventstaffmembers.Bryanworksto
ensurethattheorganizationhasasmooth,safe,andsecuretransitionintothecityofLos
Angelesandanyothervisitingcities.Bryanisaformermemberofaprivatesecurityfirm,
thatworksfortheStateofCalifornia'sgovernment.Hehasabachelor'sdegreeinCriminal
JusticeStudiesfromCalifornia
StateUniversity.

BenjaminKoenigs
LegalAdvisorandVictimAdvocate
IftherearetwothingsBenjaminispassionateabout,itsfootballandjustice.Obtaining
hismastersinlawfromHarvard,heknewhistalentscouldgofar.Hestartedhislegal
careeratBenjarvusGreenEllislawfirmwhereheexcelled.HetookhistalentstoNFL
wherehehelpedouttheWashingtonRedskins,NewEnglandPatriots,andSan
Francisco49ersduringhistenyearcareerbeforefinallycomingtoLosAngeles.

DylanBuboltz
ChiefOperationsManager
DylanhasbeentheDirectoroftheLosAngelesRamssince2015afterspendingthe
previous3yearsastheAssistantDirectorofOperationsoftheIndianapolisColts.Dylan
holdaCommunicationdegreefromtheUniversityofWisconsinGreenBay.Nothing
happenswithinthefacilitywithouthisapproval,knowledgeandconsent.Dylanknows
howtocommunicatestrategicallywithmembersoftheorganization,thefanbase,andis
trulyagreatassettotheLosAngelesRamsfamily.

CrisisManagementTeamContactList
AveryFaehling
ChiefExecutiveOfficer
(715)6974590
Email:faehaj14@uwgb.edu

EricaRopson
PubicRelationsManager
(920)6763571
Email:ropsel06@uwgb.edu

BryanKonicek
ChiefofSecurity
(715)4991226
Email:konibj27@uwgb.edu

DylanBuboltz
DirectorofOperations
(920)4183361
Email:bubodm18@uwgb.edu

BenjaminKoenigs
Legal/VictimAdvisor
(920)8383870
Email:benjaminkoenigs@gmail.com

CrisisControlCenter
CRISISCONTROLCENTER#1
EricaRopson
224ElkCourt
GreenBay,WI54302

Amenities:WiFi,Laptops,Chairs,Couch,TV,Radio,Fridge,Freezer,Microwave,Emergency
Exit,Restroom,andaWhiteboard.

8
CRISISCONTROLCENTER#2
3294NorthCircleDrive
GreenBay,WI54311

Amenities:WiFi,Laptops,5Dr.SoWhatWhiteboards,Chairs,Couch,TV,Fridge,Freezer,
Oven,Stove,Restroom,EmergencyExit,andameetingtable.

Stakeholder/AudienceAnalysis

Audience

Know

Infer

Shoulddo

ShouldntDo

CityofLA
residents

(Primary)

BigCity,Big
fanbase

Decisions
with
organization
willaffect
millionsof
people

Bequickin
communicatin
gmessages
withefficient
platforms

Leavethem
outofthe
loopandhear
newsfrom
outside
sources

Ramsfansin
andoutof
LosAngeles

(Primary)

Bigfanbase

Loyalfan
base
throughout
Californiaand
UnitedStates

Provide
uptodate
information
andbest
footballteam
possible

Leavethem
questioning
andcreatinga
negative
perspective

New
Community
Partners

(Primary)

Help
representthe
LosAngeles
Rams
organization

Willassistin
anyevent
theyareable
to

Maintain
strong
relationships
andprovide
many
incentives

Ignorethem
whentheyare
inneedof
assistanceto
promote
events

New
Sponsors

(Primary)

Playarolein
theoverall
organization
image

Would
maintaina
positive
image

Maintain
strong,
positive
relationship
and
incentives

Shunaway
whentheyre
inneedof
assistance

Media

(Primary)

Hugemedia
presencein
LosAngeles

Reliable
sourcetobe
dependedon
fromsmaller
markets

Behonest
andmaintain
astrong
relationship

Sweep
potentials
problems
underthe
mat

Employees

(Primary)

Manyworkers Organization
decisions
couldimpact
them

Keepthem
informedand
intheloop

Lackof
communicatio
n

10

Shareholders

(Primary)

Theyhave
money

Investedin
theteam

Keepthemin
theloop

Disassociate

Government

(Primary)

Createthe
laws

LARamswill
followtheir
procedures

Keep
uptodate
withpolicies
and
procedures

Assumethat
whatthe
organization
isdoingis
following
laws

NFL

(Secondary

Ramsarea
partofthe
NFL

Follow
policiesand
procedures
putinplace
byNFL

Complywith
NFLandkeep
strong
relationship

Keepthem
outofthe
loopandput
thema
situationthey
wouldnotbe
preparedto
defend

OtherNFL
teams/fan
bases

(Secondary)

Partofthe
NFLinsome
way

Follow/watch
theRams

Create
relationships

Forgetthat
theycan
generate
viewsand
opinions

Nearby
business
aroundnew
stadiumand
temporary
stadium

(Marginal)

Locatedina
busyand
populated
partofLos
Angeles

Lotsoftraffic
willgenerate
onadaily
basis

Create
relationships
andpotential
sponsors/part
ners

Beina
position
where
negative
publicity
occuraround
their
buildings

Whendeterminingtherightapproachtosolvingacrisisinanorganization,itisvitalthat
theorganizationproperlyidentifiestheirtargetaudiencesandpublicsandseparatethem
accordingly.Theseaudiencesareusuallyseparatedintoprimaryaudiences,secondaryaudiences,
andmarginalaudiences.

11

Tobeginwithprimaryaudiences,oneprimaryaudiencefortheLosAngelesRamsare
theresidentsofLosAngeles.WeknowthatLosAngelesisabigcity,abigmarket,andtherefore
alargefanbase.Withthis,wecaninferthatthedecisionsmadebytheLosAngelesRams
organizationwillhaveanimpactonmillionsofpeople.WiththisinformationtheLosAngeles
Ramsshouldrelayandcommunicateinformationabouttheteamandthecityinanefficient
mannerandusingtherightchannelsandplatforms.Withthis,theLosAngelesRamsshouldnot
keeptheresidentsoutoftheloopandhavethembedependentonoutsidesourcesfroma
differentmarkettogetinformationabouttheirownteam.
AnotherprimaryaudiencefortheLosAngelesRamsistheirfanbaseinLosAngelesand
outsideofLosAngeles.WeknowwithLosAngelesbeingabigcitythattheyhavealargefan
baseinLosAngelesandcangeneratearelativelylargefanbaseoutsideLosAngeles.Withthis,
wecaninferthatthereindeedisalargefanbasethroughoutLosAngeles,California,andthe
UnitedStates.Withthis,weshouldprovidethelargefanbasewiththebestuptodate
informationaswellasawinningfootballteam,especiallywithLosAngeleshavingabigmarket
andtheopportunitytohaveabiggersalarycap.Weshouldntleavethefanbasequestioning
aboutourpresenceandleavinganopportunityforthefanbasetohaveanegativeperspectiveon
ourorganization.
AnotherprimaryaudienceisthecommunitypartnersoftheLosAngelesRams.Weknow
thatthisaudiencehelpsrepresenttheLosAngelesRamsorganizationandplaysapartofits
image.Withthis,wecaninferthatthecommunitypartnersarewillingtohelpandassistour
organizationwhenweneedthemto.Asaresult,weshouldmaintainastrongrelationshipwith
eachpartnerandprovideincentivestorewardthemfortheirdedicationandtheirstrongwork

12

ethic.Weshouldn'tignoreourcommunitypartnerswhentheyareinneedofourassistance.Their
roleasapartnerisvaluabletoourorganization.
AnotherprimaryaudienceisthesponsorsoftheLosAngelesRams.Weknowthatthe
sponsors,likethecommunitypartners,alsoplayaroleintheoverallbrandandimageoftheLos
AngelesRamsorganization.Wecaninferthattheywoulddotheirhardestandworktheirbestto
keepapositiveimageofourbrandtogowiththeirbrand.Withthisinformation,weshould,like
thecommunitypartners,maintainastrongrelationshipwithoursponsorsandprovidethem
incentivesandopportunitiestoconsistentlybeapartofourfamily.Weshouldntshunour
sponsorsawaywhentheyneedourassistance.
Anotherprimaryaudienceisthemedia.Weknowthatwithalargepopulationandmarket
thatthereisgoingtobealargemediapresenceforourorganization.Wecaninferthatourmedia
needstoactasareliablemediasourceforsmallermediamarketswithintherestofthecountry.
Withthisinformation,weshouldbehonestwithourmediawhenansweringquestionsaboutthe
organizationandmaintainastrongrelationship.Weshouldntsweeppotentialproblemsunder
thematandputthemediainapositionwheretheywouldinterprettheinformationwrongand
putthewronginformationouttothegeneralpublic.
AnotherprimaryaudienceistheemployeesoftheLosAngelesRams.Weknowthereis
alotofemployeesoftheLosAngelesRamsthatwouldbefulltime,parttime,andseasonal.We
caninferthatanydecisionthatourorganizationmakescouldhaveapotentialimpactonthese
workers.Withthisinformation,weshouldalwayskeepouremployeesinformedandintheloop
ofthings.Itisourjobandtheirrighttobeawareofwhatisgoingonintheirplaceof

13

employment.Weshouldnthavealackofcommunicationwithouremployeesandleavethem
dazed,confused,andwonderingiftheirjobsaregoingtobesecureoraffected.
AnotherprimaryaudienceistheshareholdersoftheLosAngelesRams.Weknowthat
thesearetheindividual(s)thatinvestmoneyandalotofitintotheorganization.Wecaninfer
thatwiththismoney,theyareallinfortheteamandareinvestedintheteam.Withthis
information,weshouldalwayskeepthemintheloopofnecessaryinformationandprovidethem
withasuccessfulteamtoshowappreciationfortheirhardwork.Weshouldntdisassociate
ourselvesfromthem.Theydeservetoknowwhatisgoingoninourdaytodayoperations.
ThefinalprimaryaudienceisthegovernmentofCalifornia.Weknowthatthe
governmentaretheonesthatcreateourlawsandprovidealayoutofwhatwecanandcantdo.
Wecaninferthatthedecisionstheymakethatwouldimpactourorganizationwouldbeforthe
bestinterestsofallaudiences.Withthisinformation,weshouldfollowtheirproceduresand
alwaysstayuptodatewithanypossiblepolicychanges.Weshouldavoidnewprocedureand
policiessincetheycouldhaveanimpactonourorganizationandourfans.
OnesecondaryaudiencefortheLosAngelesRamsistheNationalFootballLeague.We
knowthatourorganizationisoneofthirtytwomembersoftheNationalFootballLeague.We
caninferthatwewillfollowalloftheNationalFootballLeaguepoliciesandprocedures.With
thisinformation,weshouldconsistentlycomplywiththeNFLandmaintainastrong,positive
relationshipwiththematalltimes.WeshouldntkeeptheNFLguessingandoutoftheloop.We
dontwanttoputtheminapositiontodefendusaboutacrisisthattheyarenotfamiliarwith.
ThesecondprimaryaudiencefortheLosAngelesRamsisotherNFLfranchisesandfan
bases.Weknowthatthesegroupsarefamiliarwithourorganization.Wecaninferthattheyat

14

leastwatchourfootballteamattimesandfollowourteaminsomeway.Withthisinformation,
weshouldcreaterelationshipswiththeseaudiences.Weshouldntforgetthatwhiletheymaynot
haveasignificantroleinourfamily,theystillcangenerateanopinionaboutourorganization.
OuronlymarginalaudiencefortheLosAngelesRamsisnearbybusinessesatthenew
stadiumandtemporarystadium.Weknowthatthesebusinessesarelocatedinabusyareasof
LosAngeles.Wecaninferthattherewillbealotoftrafficcomingbythesebusinessesona
dailybasis.Withthisinformation,weshouldworktocreateapositiverelationshipwiththese
businesses.Weshouldntputourselvesinanegativespotlightorsituationasthiscouldimpact
theirbusinessesaswell.

15

StakeholderContactList
GeneralMediaandInformation
LosAngelesMayorEricGarcetti
12139780600
mayor.garcetti@lacity.org
LosAngelesTimes
(213)2375000
(714)9664600(BusinessOffice)
(714)9664699(MainNewsRoom)
(714)9664612,DavidCarrilloPenaloza,SportsWriter
(714)9664614,MattSzabo,SportsWriter
(714)9664614,MikeSciacca,SportsWriter
LosAngelesDailyNews
(818)7133000
(818)7133607(GeneralSportsLine)
(818)7133545(SportsFax)
(818)7133607,MarkWhicker,SportsColumnist
mark.whicker@langnews.com
(818)7133607,VincentBonsignore,SportsColumnist
vincent.bonsignore@dailynews.com
8187133607,TomHoffarth,SportsColumnist
thomas.hoffarth@dailynew.com

LosAngelesPoliceDepartment(ChiefCharlieBeck)
Emergency911
NonEmergency877ASKLAPD
TerroristThreats18772847328
LosAngelesFireDepartment
GeneralPublicInformation(213)9783800
RoutineMediaInquiriesandInterviewRequests(213)9783820
BreakingNewsandEmergencyIncident(213)4855162

NFLMediaInformation
ESPNHeadquarters
18607662000

NFLCorporateHeadquarters

16

12124502000

NFLNetwork
(310)8404635

NationalHotlines
FBI
(310)4776565
NationalDomesticViolenceHotline
18007997233
NationalDrugAbuseandAddictionHotline
18887440069
NationalSuicidePreventionHotline
18002738255

Partners
BudLight
DirectSpeaking18003425283
Emaillink:
http://contactus.anheuserbusch.com/contactus/Budlight/contact_us.asp

CommunityPrograms
AmericanRedCross
3104459900
Play60
https://www.fueluptoplay60.com/about/contactus
MakeAWish
3107889474
TasteoftheNFL
9528357621

Government
GovernorEdmundBrown
9164452841(Phone)
9165583160(Fax)
LieutenantGovernorGavinNewsom
9164458994(Phone)
SecretaryofStateHon.AlexPadilla
9166536814(Phone)

17

AttorneyGeneralKamalaHarris
9162273287(Phone)
9162275054(Fax)
CaliforniaStateDepartmentofIndustrialRelations
18445226734(Communicationstollfree)
DIRInfo@dir.ca.gov

RehearsalSchedule
th th
OverviewTraining:
April4
5
2016@9amNoon

InMeetingRoomA

AllmanagersrequiredtoattendLeadbyCrisisTeam
th
CrisisSimulation1:
April12
2016@9amNoon

InMeetingRoomA

AllmanagersandCrisisTeam
th
CrisisSimulation2:
April19
2016@9amNoon

InMeetingRoomA

AllmanagersandCrisisTeam
th
CrisisTraining:
April20
2016@9amNoon

InMeetingRoomA
Allemployeeswillberequiredtoattend1trainingsession,willbenotifiedbysupervisorasto
whichsessiontoattend.

CrisisTeamSignaturesofCompletion

_____________________________________
AveryFaehling(CEO)EricaRopson(PRManager)

_____________________________________
BryanKonicek(ChiefofSecurity)DylanBuboltz(COO)

__________________
BenjaminKoenigs(Legal/VictimAdvisor)

18

Incidentreport1

19

Incidentreport2

20

Incidentreport3

21

Incidentreport4

22

RiskManagementGrid

Inordertoprepareforcrisesandbettermanagethem,ourteamcreatedthisrisk
managementgrid.Thisgridbreaksdownpotentialcrisesintodifferentcategories.Thesearethe
categories:personnel,information,naturaldisaster,economic,criminal,physical,andlastly,
reputationcrises.Bymappingthesescenariosout,ourteamwillbeabletograsptheproblemsat

23

handandwillbeabletotakemoreefficientstepstomovingthecrisisintoamorecontrollable
andobservablestate.
Thefirstcategorywegraphedoutarepersonnelcrises.Thesebreakdownintothree
separatecategories.Personnel1onthegraphrepresentsstrikes,violence,andworkplace
violence.Wedeterminedthatviolenceandviolentactscanbequicklycontrolledandshutdown
withstrictpoliciesandapreventativeculturewithintheorganization.Howevertheycanbe
difficulttoobserve.Strikesoftenrevolvearoundissuesthatcanbenegotiated,andresolved.
Theyareobservableevents,thatwithconstructiveconversationsandopencommunicationcan
becontrolledandputtoanend.Personnel2crisesareontheoppositesideofthegraph,andare
farmoreunobservableanduncontrollable.Thesecasesareonesofabuse,domesticabuse,child
abuse,andsexualabuse.Thesecasesoftentimesgounseenandunnoticed.Theyareactsof
violencethathavelastingimpactsonorganizations.Theyareincidentsthatpeoplearenotaware
ofuntiltheyhavealreadyhappened,andthisiswhywehavegraphedthemintheupperright
handcorner.
Personnel3crises,arecategorizedandgraphedascasesofracialorotherformsof
discrimination.Thesearecasesthatareoftenobservableasracialorotherdiscriminatoryactsor
statementsthataremadeinpublicforumsagainstothers.However,theseactionsareoften
difficulttocontrolastheyarebasedonpersonalandstrongbeliefs.People'sactionsaremore
controllablewithrepercussionsanddisciplinaryactions,howeverhowpeoplethink,andwhat
theybelievecanbeverydifferent.
Belowpersonnel3onthegrapharecriminalcrises.Theseareeventsthatinvolve,drugs,
weaponsorotherillegalactivitiesthatareoftengoingonwithoutanyonenoticing.Theseare

24

activitiesthatareoftenunobservable,unlessthingsgowrongandsomeoneiscaught.Criminal
casesarealsonotcontrollableastheytakeplaceawayfromthestructureandcontrolof
organizationsandtheirculture.Theseactionsarenotrepresentativeofthewholeteamandare
graphedinawaythatrepresentsthis.
Nextarereputationcrises.Theseareincidentsthatdirectlyaffectshareholdersandhow
outsideaudiencesperceivetheorganization.Theseinvolvethingslikerumors,accusations,and
damagedrelationshipswithstockholders.Theseproblemsoftenstemfromoutsideattacksthan
canbedifficulttoobserve,butwithswiftaction,factualcounterstatementsandintentional
actions,theycanbecontrolled.Thiscategoryischartedalmostdirectlyinthemiddleofthe
graphasthesecrisesvarydependingontheseverityoftherumors,oractionsmadebyan
organizationagainsttheircorevaluesandshareholders.
Thenextcategoryiseconomiccrises.Thesescenariosareoftenuncontrollableasthey
usuallyinvolvefinancialactionslegal,orillegalthatcannotbeundoneoncetheyhappen.These
canincludetaxevasion,fraud,bribes,embezzlement,andlargerissueslikebankruptcy.The
illegalcrisesareusuallyhiddenawayandwillresultinvestigationsandlegalactions.Thelarger
decisionssuchasbankruptcyaremoreobservable,butthiscrisisislesscommonthantheillegal
actionsthattakeplacewhichiswhythiscategoryremainsclosertothemidlineofobservable
andunobservable.
Aftereconomiccrises,comesinformationcriseswhicharelocatedjusttotherightof
economiccrisesonthegraph.Thesecrisesarelesscontrollableandequallyunobservable.They
involveleaksofinformation,thehackingofinformation,socialmediacrises,theftandtampering
orstealingofotherteamdataandinformation.Thesehacksandleaksarelikelytobeisolated

25

incidentscomingfromhiddenandhardtoobservepeople.Thismakesthemhardtoobserve.
Also,oncethedatahasbeensentortaken,itishardtocontrolwhatisthendonewithitbecause
itisoftenlinkedandsentthroughtheinternetandotherdigitaloutlets.
Secondtolastarephysicalcrises.Theseinvolveaphysicalproductfailureliketeam
equipmentmalfunctioningoracrisisinvolvingastadium.Theseareveryobservablebutoften
involvelargerscaleeventsthatarenotcontrollable.Alsoincludedintheseareaccidents.These
areobservablebutnotcontrollable.Theyhappeninallindustriesandasanorganization,even
themostpreventativemeasuresandstepscannotpreventthemfromoccurring.Thelastcategory
onthegraphisnaturaldisasters.Thesearehighlyobservable,withuncontrollableresults.Mother
naturecanwreakhavoconanyoneatanytime.Thedirectresultsanddamagecannotbe
controlledbuttheplanstomoveforwardfromthedisasteriswhatcounts.Thisgraphgivesour
teamahandleonfutureproblemsandcrisesandhowtomanagethem.

26

BangForBuckAudienceCommunication

Personnel
Primary:
CityofLAResidents
RamsFans
CommunityPartners
Sponsors
Media

27
Employees
Shareholders
Government

Secondary:
NFL

Marginal:
OtherNFLTeams/FanBases
Nearbybusinessesaroundthenewstadiumornearbythetemporarystadium

Inapersonnelcrisis,thefirstareasofthecrisisteamtocontactarethepublicrelations
manager,chiefofsecurity,andtheCEOtobettercombatandunderstandwhysuchinternal
crisesaretakingplaceandhowtocontainthesituationandimprovethebrandculture.
TheresidentsofLosAngeleswanttoknowmostofallofwhathappened.Theyaretheones
intriguesbythesituationandtopossiblycreateopinion.ThefansoftheLosAngelesRamsare
mostconcernedaboutwhowasinvolved.Wasitsomeoneintheorganization?Wasitaplayer?
Wasitacoach?Thecommunitypartnersarealsoconcernedmostaboutwhathappenedand
whatisbeingdonetosolvethecrisis.Theyhavebuildarelationshipwiththeorganizationand
theirbrandcouldalsobeaffectedsincetheyareaffiliatedwiththeRams.Thesponsorsarein
thesamesituationasthecommunitypartners,Theirbrandispossiblyinquestionforbeing
affiliatedwiththeorganization.Themediawantstoknowmostofallwhythiscrisisoccurred.
Theyhavethedutytoinformthegeneralpublicofthesituation.Theemployeesaremost
concernedabouthowthecrisisisbeinghandled.Willtheirjobsbeinjeopardy?Willtheylosea
coworker?Theshareholdersshouldbemostconcernedaboutwhowasinvolved.Theyarethe
audiencewiththemoneyanditistheirreputationthatispossiblyatstake.Thegovernment
shouldbemostconcernedaboutwhythiscrisistookplace.Whywastherelawsbrokenam
violated?TheNFLismostconcernedaboutwhoisinvolved.Itcouldbeoneoftheirowners.If
theyknowwhoisinvolved,theycantaketheappropriateaction.OtherNFLteam/fanbasesare

28
mostconcernedaboutwhathappened.Theyareintriguedinwhatisalsobeingdoneandifthey
aregoingtobeaffectedinanway.Nearbybusinesses,likethefanbasesandteams,arealso
concernedaboutwhathappenedandwhatisbeingdone.Theywanttoknowiftheirbusinesses
aregoingtobeaffected.

Information
Primary:

29
CityofLAResidents
RamsFans
CommunityPartners
Sponsors
Media
Employees
Shareholders
Government

Secondary:
NFL

Marginal:
OtherNFLTeams/FanBases
Nearbybusinessesaroundthenewstadiumornearbythetemporarystadium

Inaninformationcrisis,managingtheinformationduringandafterthecrisisiscritical.Not
havinginformationundercontrolcoulddirectlyinfluencethepublicsperceptionaboutthe
organization.ThefirststepwhenhandlingandinformationcrisisistocontactthePublic
RelationsManager,theChiefofOperationsManager,andtheCEO.PRmanagerwillprepareto
addressthemediaandwhowillbeaddressingthemedia.ChiefofOperationsManagerwill
makeinternaldecisionsaswellassomeexternal,andtheCEOwillneedconstantupdateson
thesituationandwhathisrolewillbeduringthisprocess.theThecityofLAresidents,
communitypartners,sponsors,government,otherNFLteams/fanbases,andnearby
businessesaroundthenewstadiumornearbythetemporarystadiumaregoingtowanttoknow
whattheorganizationplanstodoaboutthesituationandtheinformationthathasnowbeen
madepublic.PeoplewhoareidentifywiththeorganizationsuchasRamsfansandemployees
willbemoreconcernedaboutwhoisresponsiblefortheinformationcrisis.Shareholdersand
theNFLwillwanttoknowwhythisincidenthappened.Shareholderswillneedextra
reassurancebecausethisteamisaninvestmenttothemandtheywillneedtofeelliketheycan
trusttheorganization.TheNFLhastheirownreputationtoprotect,sotheytoowillwanttoknow

30
whythisincidenthappenedandalsobeassuredthatthiswillneverhappenagain.Considering
themediawillbetheonesatthepressconference,theywillwanttoknowhowtheorganization
plansonhandlingthesituationnowthatinformationhasbeenleakedandhowweplanto
recover.

Criminal
Primary:
CityofLAResidents
RamsFans

31
CommunityPartners
Sponsors
Media
Employees
Shareholders
Government

Secondary:
NFL

Marginal:
OtherNFLTeams/FanBases
Nearbybusinessesaroundthenewstadiumornearbythetemporarystadium

Inacriminalcrisis,releasingthecorrectinformationiskey.FortheCrisisManagementTeam,it
willbeallhandsondeck.ChiefofSecuritywillworkverycloselywithourLegalAdvisor/Victims
Managerdependingonwhatthecriminalactionconsistedof.TheCEO,PublicRelations
Manager,andChiefofOperationswillpreparetoaddressthemediaandpreparetorelease
messagesonotherchannels,ifneedbe.Eachaspecthasanequalamountofimportanceto
controlthecrisis.Fans,localgovernment,andcommunitypartnersmayaskwhofordifferent
reasons.Fanswanttoknowwhocommittedthecrimebecausetheywanttoknowhowthatwill
affecttheteammovingforward.Governmentwanttoknowwhodiditsotheymaybeginningthe
punishmentprocess.Partnerswanttoknowwhotomakesuretheyarentsponsoringatroubled
player.OtherNFLteamswanttoknowwhodidthecrimeforscoutingpurposes.TheCityofLA,
Media,Employees,andShareholderswanttoknowwhathappenedandwhatstepsarebeing
takentopreventthisfromhappeningeveragain.TheNFLandSponsorswanttoknowwhythis
happenedsincetheymaybelosingmoneyfromcustomers.Nearbybusinesseswanttomake
suretheincidentdidnthappenintheareaoftheirbusiness.

32

NaturalDisasters
Primary:
CityofLAResidents
RamsFans
CommunityPartners
Sponsors
Media
Employees
Shareholders

33
Government

Secondary:
NFL

Marginal:
OtherNFLTeams/FanBases
Nearbybusinessesaroundthenewstadiumornearbythetemporarystadium

Whenconsideringabangforthebuckreactiontoanaturaldisastercrises,itisimportanttonote
theoveralldamagethatoccurredtothethestructuresofteamandorganizationbuildingsand
thevictimsofthesituation.Inanaturaldisastersituation,fortheCrisisManagementTeam,it
willbeallhandsondeck.TheCEOandPublicRelationsManagerwillprepareforexternal
communicationtoallaudience.TheChiefofOperationswillberesponsibleforinternal
communicationaswellasmakeanydecisionsregardingthestadiumandstadiumprocedures.
OurLegalAdvisor/VictimsManagerwillassessourliabilitiesandtendtotheneedsofthe
victims(ifany)andtheirfamilies.TheChiefofSecuritywillputournaturaldisastercrisisplan
intoeffectandwillfileareportontheincident.Thecrisisreactionchangesfordifferent
audiences.ForthecityofLAanditsresidents,thebiggestconcerniswherethedisastertook
placeandtheareasofthecitythatwereaffected.Anotherstrategythatshouldbeusedfora
numberofaudiencessuchas:fans,Sponsors,employees,shareholders,theleague,local
government,andotherNFLteamsandtheirfansisawhat/howstrategy.Thisstrategy
highlightstheeventsthathaveoccurred,includingthedamagethathasbeendone,andoutlines
theorganization'splanstomoveforwardthroughthecrisis.Lastlyisawhostrategythat
highlightswhohasbeeninvolvedwiththeincident.Inthiscase,itwouldbewhowasaffectedby
thedisaster,witheitherinjuriesorlossoflife.Thiswouldbeinformationpassedontothemedia
tohelpfamilieskeeptrackoftheirlovedonesandkeepthecommunityunitedtogether.

34

Economic
Primary:
CityofLAResidents
RamsFans
CommunityPartners
Sponsors
Media
Employees

35
Shareholders
Government

Secondary:
NFL

Marginal:
OtherNFLTeams/FanBases
Nearbybusinessesaroundthenewstadiumornearbythetemporarystadium

Inaneconomiccrisis,itiscriticaltoassurethesponsors,shareholders,andcommunitypartners
understandwhythecrisishappenedandthatitwillberesolvedinatimelymannerwhilealso
keepingthemconfidentinthecompanyasawhole.TheCrisisManagementteammembersthat
wouldbeneededduringthistypeofcrisiswouldbetheCEO,ChiefofOperations,Public
RelationsManager,anddependingonthecircumstances,theLegalAdvisor.Wefeelthese
specificaudiencesarethemostimportantsincetheyhavemoneyinvestedintothecompany.
Theywouldliketoknowwhythishappened,andwhyweallowedittobebeyondourcontrol.It
wouldbewisetoshowprooftotheseaudiencestheRamscanbefinancialstableandthattheir
moneyisingoodhands.TheCityofLA,Fans,Media,andGovernmentwouldbemore
concernedonwhathappenedandhowithappened.Thoughitmaynotaffectthemfinancially,it
wouldstillbebeneficialtomakesureeveryaudienceisawareofthesituation.TheNFLalso
sharesthesameconcernthatthesponsors,shareholders,andpartnershavewiththecrisis
basedonthepotentialoflosingmoney.OtherNFLTeamsandNearbyBusinesseswantto
knowwhathappened.NFLteamsobservethesituationtomakesuretheydonotfallunderthe
samecrisis,whilelocalbusinesseswillobservetomakesureitishappeningtotheRamsand
nototherbusinessesinthearea.

36

Physical
Primary:
CityofLAResidents
RamsFans
CommunityPartners
Sponsors
Media

37
Employees
Shareholders
Government

Secondary:
NFL

Marginal:
OtherNFLTeams/FanBases
Nearbybusinessesaroundthenewstadiumornearbythetemporarystadium

Ifaphysicalcrisisistooccuritisvitaltoourrecoverythattheentirecrisisteamisnotifiedand
thatalllegal,safety,andvictimconcernsareexamined.Themostimportantconcerninthis
crisiswillbetofindoutwhatthecauseofthephysicalcrisisis,andhowitcanbecontained.
Dependingontheseverityofthephysicalcrisis,astatementmaysufficeifitistoalesser
degree,whileapressconferencewouldbemorebeneficialformoresevereorquestionable
crises.Aconstantprocedurethatneedstobeaddressedinallphysicalcrisesiswhatisbeingto
safeguardagainstasimilarcrisisinthefuture.Oncesuchsafeguardsandplansareset,itis
importanttomaintainafocusonhowtheorganizationwillhelpvictimsrecover.Finally,aswith
allcrises,itisfundamentaltoupdateaudiencesasnewprocessesandrecoveryeffortstake
placetoevokeasenseofsafetyforfutureinteractionswithourorganization.

38

Reputation
Primary:
CityofLAResidents
RamsFans
CommunityPartners
Sponsors
Media
Employees
Shareholders

39
Government

Secondary:
NFL

Marginal:
OtherNFLTeams/FanBases
Nearbybusinessesaroundthenewstadiumornearbythetemporarystadium

Inareputationcrisis,thereisnodoubtthattheorganizationtakeahitontheirbrand,and
thereforethefirstcontactinareputationcrisisshouldbetothepublicrelationsmanager.From
there,theentirecrisiscommunicationteamcaninstilltheirperspectivestocreateawellrounded
recovery.Theorganizationsidentitywillbequestionedinmuchofthesecrises,whichcould
alsomeancoremessagesareattacked.Withreputationcrises,oneofthebeststrategiestouse
tocombatthecrisisistomonitormanymediaandsocialmediasourceswheretheLosAngeles
Ramsbrandidentitymaybeinquestionorweakened.TheresidentsofLosAngeles,thefansof
theLosAngelesRams,communitypartners,sponsors,shareholders,government,otherNFL
team/fanbases,andnearbybusinessesareallgoingtobemostconcernedaboutwhatisbeing
donewiththecrisisandhowthecrisisisbeingdone.Inthisparticularcrisis,abrand,animage,
andmoneyareallonthelineandcanbetakenawayiftheappropriateactionsarenottakenin
apropertimeframe.ThemediaandNFLaremostconcernedaboutwhythiscrisistookplace
andpossiblyhowithasimpactedwhotheLosAngelesRamsareasanorganization.TheNFL
needstobeawareofthesituationandseeifthereispotentialactiontheyneedtotake.The
mediaandNFLhavetobeinformationseekers.Tobestcombatareputationalcrisis,apress
conferenceisoftenthebeststeptotaketocontainthedamagesdonetothebrandandits
identity.Ameasurementofourbrandidentitythroughafocusgrouporsurveymayhelpmonitor
andreevaluatehowtohelpthebrandrecovertothestrengthitisexpectedtobeat.

40

CrisisFlowChart

Asitcanbeseen,ourcrisismanagementteamhascreatedacrisisflowchart,whichcan
beusedtotaketheproperstepsinrumorsormisinformationabouttheorganization,knownas
4thand1,anditcanalsobeusedfor4thandLong,whichisconsideredarollingcrisiswhich
willrequiremanyofthestepsoutlinedinourcrisismanagementplan.With4thand1,our
publicrelationsteamwillbeabletohandleanyinaccuraciesandsourcecontacts.Ontheother
hand,whena4thand1turnsintoa4thandLong,theentirecrisismanagementteamis
activatedtohandlethesituationstrategicallyandmonitorlongterm.

41

Likelihood&DamageGraphs
Thefollowinggraphsarecrisisscenariosgraphedinawaytohelpourteam
bettermanageandreacttoeachofthem.Thegraphgradesthelikelihoodthateach
crisiswillhappenandthedamagethatwillbecausedbyeachsituation.Themostlikely
crisisisonthefarleftandgoesdowntotheleastlikelyoneonthefarright.Thedamage
isgradedonascaleof110.Weknowthatisnotpossibletocomeupwitheverycrisis
possiblebutthesegraphsgaveusasolidgraspofsomeofthepossibilitieswecouldbe
facing.Thegraphsarebrokendowninto7differentcategoriesofcrises:Economic,
Personnel,Natural,Information,Reputation,Physical,Criminal.

42

Thisfirstgraphdealswitheconomicproblems.Thefirstandmostlikelyscenario
onthegrapharebribes.ThereisplentyofmoneywithinanNFLorganizationandthere
isalotthatcanbegainedfrompayingoffcertainpeoplesuchasrefereesandplayers.
Thedamagecouldbequitecriticalbutalsorathersmallifitisanisolatedincident,soit
wasgivena7fordamage.Followingbribesisembezzlementwithasimilarscore,than
scamsafrequentoccurrencewithticketsbutwithlimiteddamage.Nextistaxevasion
andthelastthreewhicharemajorplayersonthedamagescale.Fraudcomingfirstwith
ascoreof8,moneylaunderingsecondwithadamageof9andlastlybankruptcy
reachingthehighestlevelof10.Allthreeofthesewouldbeseriousforanorganization.
Theycouldleadtoalossofshareholders,andsponsors,aswellasacomplete
shutdownoftheteamcausingarippleeffectthroughoutthecityandstockholders.

43

Thenextgraphisforpersonnelcrisis.Thereweremanyofthesethatstoodout
aslikelyscenarioswithanorganizationintheNFL.Thefirst,andonetheweratedthe
mostlikelytohappenisdiscrimination.Thiscouldbealmostanythingaspeopleinthis
worldarediscriminatedforthingslikereligion,race,andeverysmallpersonallifestyle
choices.Asateamweimaginedthistobeasituationthatwouldarisebetweenplayers
onthefieldorinthelockerroom.Thiscouldquicklyescalateanddividetheteamup,so
thescorefordamageisan8.Upnextareracialissuesandmoreofaspecific
discrimination.Wesawthisasamoredangerousattackthatcouldfuelaseriousfire
andcauseproblemsforafootballteam.
Thesamecanbesaidforthenext3situations,domestic,child,andsexual
abuse.Theseallgetascoreof9becausehowquicklyandnegativelyteamsupporters
wouldturnontheorganization.Theseareissuesthathaveoccurredandthe
organizationsandindividualsinvolvedwerefacedwithmanyproblems.Currentlythe
NFLallowsfordecentplayerrepresentationsowhileastrikeisnotverylikelyitwould
haveahugeimpactonanNFLteam.Thelasttwoarescenariosdealwithviolence,one
involvingamorelowkeyinhousesituationandtheotherinvolvingabiggereventwith
muchmorevictimsandstockholdersaffected.Thesegetascoreof8and10.

44

Thethirdgraphisfornaturaldisasters.Thebiggestfactorforthesearethe
geographiclocationforthecityofLA.Itisanareaknownforearthquakesandisclose
totheocean.Thereareplentyofpossibilitiesofworsecasescenariosthatmother
naturecanwhipup.Someoftheselikeanearthquake,hurricane,ortsunamicould
causemajorstructuraldamagetoastadiumandeventakelives.Whiletheorganization
wouldnotdirectlyresponsible,lackofsafetyprocedures,protocolorstadiumquality
wouldplacetheteaminadifficultposition,asshownbythehighdamagescoresonthe
majorevents.

45

Thenextgraphisforinformationalcrises.Thesescenariosdealwithprivateor
pertinentinformationandtheillegalorunethicaldealingsorexchangingofthem.The
firstwouldbealeakofinformation.Thiswouldbefromaninsidesourcethatmayhave
misspoketothemediaorwasunawareoftheirchannelusageforcertaininformation.It
couldalsobeanintentionalleakinordertoattacktheteaminassistanceforanother
one.Thisissomethingthatanorganizationcouldrecoverfrominarelativelyquick
fashion.Nextisinformationthatishacked.Thisagainisanoutsideincidentandcould
berecoveredfromwithlittledifficulty.Afterthisisasocialmediacrisis.Thiscouldbean
illtimedscheduledpostoraplayerorotherteammemberchoosingtoventonasocial

46

platform.Thiscouldraisesomeseriousflagsabouttheorganizationandcouldcause
someseriousdamage.
Thelastthreearetheft,tamperingwithotherteaminformation,andthestealing
ofplaycallsorplaybooksfromotherteams.Theseareincidentsthatcanhappenand
dependingonthedetailsandinformationtaken,largeamountsofdamagecouldbe
caused.Teamshavebeeninvolvedwithplaycallandplaybookstealing,itistempting
tacticthatcanruinacoachororganization'sreputation.Tosome,thePatriotswill
foreverbethewinningestcheatersthegamehaseverseenbecauseofthesecrises.

47

The5thgraphisonreputationcrises.Thesehavedirecteffectsonshareholder,
stockholders,andmostpeoplewithsomesortofinterestinvestedintotheteam.The
firstandmostlikelyareaccusations.Thesecancomefrommanydifferentsourceslike
fansofotherteams,otherorganizations,andtrollsouttobringlargeorganizations
down.Providingtheaccusationscanbeprovenfalseandworkedthrough,thedamage
isnottoosevere.Although,thenastiestofaccusationscanbegintoraisequestions
aboutanyone.Nextisrumors.Thesearefalsitiesandliesthatsmearedonthenameof
theteam.Rumors,withpropercommunication,canbecorrectedandrootedoutwith
ease.Thenexttwoarestepupindamage.Thefirstisanegativeimpactona
relationshipwithastakeholder.Thiscandamagetheimageofateamandthework
theydo.
Thirdtolastisanegativeclaimcomingfromadirectstakeholderofthe
organization.Thisisamoredirectattackthatreflectssomethingsimilartothecrisis
outlinedpreviously.Thiscouldsendawaveofconcernthroughotherinvestorsand
shareholders.Secondtolastisillegalmanagementtacticsbeingdoneknowinglybytop
officialswithintheorganization.Thesereflectpoordecisionmaking,lackofjudgement,
ethics,andoverallsoundnessinthestructureofthebrandanditsname.Theseare
dangeroushighriskscenariosthatcausealossoftrustandrespectintheleague.

48

Thesecondtolastcategoryofcrisisarephysicalones.Theseinvolveaproduct
failureoranincidentinvolvingsomethingtangiblesuchasequipment,technology,or
buildingstructureorfacility.Thefirstandmostlikelyscenarioareaccidents.These
couldbemadebyfansorplayers,thatcouldleadtoinjuryordeath.Fansgetcrazyand
wildatgamesandplayercantoowhileoutatclubsintheirfreetime.Accidentscomein
awidevarietyandcouldneedseriousdamagecontrol.Thesecondcrisiswouldbea
productfailurelikeastadiumcollapsingbecauseofinadequateconstruction.TheLA
Ramswillbebuildinganewstadiuminthenearfuture,andwiththisprojectcomes

49

manycornersthatcannotbecut,ordamagewillhappen.Lastlyisateamtechfailure
thatcouldcauseangstamongstplayersandstaffmemberswiththefrontofficeand
possiblythefansiftheteamisunabletoperformatahighquality.

Thelastcategorydealswithhighdamagecrises,andtheyarecriminal.Thefirst
isweapons.Bigorsmall,manypeopleownaweaponandaheatedsituationcan
quicklybecomedeadly,especiallyinthefastpacedcrazedcityofLA.Deathscould
divideteamsandsendanorganizationintoafastdownwardspiral.Secondisdrug
trafficking.Thiscouldbedonebyaplayeroralargeroperationthroughteamofficials.
ThecityofLAandthestateofCaliforniahaveamajorissueswithgangsanddrugs,

50

noneofwhichleadtopositivePRforanNFLteam.Nextisakidnapping.Thiscouldbe
doneforanexchangeofmoneyorasanactofviolenceinconjunctionwith
discrimination.Itcouldbedevastatingtoloseateammembertosuchasenselessactof
recklessness.Nextisterrorism.AnNFLstadiumhasahighlikelihoodofbeingtargeted
becauseofthehighvolumeofpeopletheycanhold.TheLARamswillbeina
particularlyinterestingsituationinregardstothisbecausetheirnewstadiumwillbe
buildveryclosetooneofthebusiestinternationalairportsintheUS,LAX.Lastlyis
animalabusebymeansoffightingandgambling.Thisisanactivitythatbroughtdowna
prominentplayerinMichaelVick.Peopleareconnectedwithanimalsandany
intentionalharmtothemwouldcausedamagetotheorganization.

51

QuestionandAnswerPreparation
Belowisalistofpossiblequestionsthatmaybeaskedandanappropriateresponsetoenhance
ourcoremessages
:

1. Whatprecautionswillyourorganizationtaketomakesurethiscurrentsituationnever
happensagain?
a. Safetyofourfansand/ormembersofourorganizationisoneofourcorevalues.
Wearealwayslookingtocontinuouslyimproveonallourprocedurestoimprove
thesafetyandqualityofourorganization.
2. GiventhattheRamsarecurrentlyundergoingsomanychangesthisyear,howdoyou
planonmaintainingaloyalfanbaseafterthisincident?
a. Wewantourfanstoknowthatwedovaluethem.Wevaluetheiropinions,we
valuetheirsafety,wevaluetheirloyalty.Theirtrustissacredtousandwetake
tremendousprideinprovidingthemwithgreatentertainmentandqualityfootball.
3. HowwillthisaffecttheorganizationfinanciallygivenalltheexpensestheRamsare
currentlyundergoing?
a. Itisnosecretthatourbrandandimagetookahardhitduetothisincidentand
withthatcomesfinanciallossbutwewanttoensurethatwearedoingeverything
inourpowertoexaminewhatwentwrongandimproveourprocedurestoensure
thatthiswillnothappenagain.
b. Itisnosecretthatourbrandandimagetookahardhitduetothisincidentand
withthatcomesfinancialloss,butrightnowwearemoreconcernedaboutthose
affectedandimprovingourcurrentprocesssothatthisdoesnthappenagainin
thefuture.
4. Doyoubelievethatanyoneelsewasinvolvedinthisincident?
a. Fromtheinformationwehaveatthistime,itisourhopethatnobodyelseis
involvedbutwearecurrentlyconductinganinvestigationtogaingreaterclarity
onthesituation.Aswefindanswerswewillupdateyouontheinvestigation.
5. DoyouthinkthisincidentwillaffecttheRamsrebrandingprocess?
a. Itisnosecretthatourbrandandimagetookahardhitduetothisincident,butweare
confidentaswemoveforward,thatbringingaqualityexperiencetotheLosAngeles
areawilladdgreatvaluetothecommunity.
1. Howdoyouthinkinvestorswillreacttothisincident?

52
a. Wevalueallofourinvestors.Whilewecantspeakforourinvestors,theyplaya
significantroleforourorganization.Welookforwardtocontinuouslycollaborating
withourinvestorsinwaystobringagreatexperience,winningatmosphere,and
unforgettablememoriestoourvaluedfanbase.
2. Whatif_______happens,whatwillyoudo?
a. Webelieveincontinuousimprovement.Wearealwayslookingforwaysto
improvehowweoperateonadailybasis.Welookforwardtotakingthe
appropriatesteps.
b. Wewouldneverputanyofourfans,players,oranyofourcommunitymembers
indanger
3. WhatdoyouhavetosaytothosewhobelievetheRamsdiscriminate?
a. Oneofourcorevaluesisprovidingequalopportunitytoeveryone,regardlessof
skin,gender,andsocioeconomicstatus.Welookforwardtoandencourage
everyonetobeapartoftheLosAngelesRamsfamily.
4. Canyouassurethesafetyofyourfansandstadiumwhenthereisanaturaldisaster?
a. Wevaluethesafetyofourfans.Wealsohaveskilled,welltrainedsecurityand
otherformsoflawenforcementthatwepartnerwithtoensurethatanyoneone
ontheRamspremisesfeelssafe.Withthatbeingsaidwedonotliketomake
certaintiesbutstrivetolessenthepossibilityofanyharmtoourfans.
b. Safetywasournumberoneprioritywhenitcametoselectingbuildingplansfor
ourstadium.Weareconfidentinourcontractorsandtheirstrategicarchitectural
decisions.Thereisnopriceyoucanplaceonthesafetyofourfansand
community.
5. Howyoucanyouguaranteethesafetyofyourfansintheeventofaterroristattack?
a. Wevaluethesafetyofourfans.Wealsohaveskilled,welltrainedsecurityand
otherformsoflawenforcementthatwepartnerwithtoensurethatanyoneone
ontheRamspremisesfeelssafe.Webelievetheprocesswehaveinplacewill
providethesafestexperienceintheNFLandarealwayslookingforwaysto
improveoursafety.

53

Background
TheLosAngelesRams,likeotherNFLplayersandteams,havetraveledfromlocationto
locationmultipletimessinceitsexistence.TheLosAngelesRambeganitsexistenceintheNFL
onFebruary13,1937inClevelandwhereHomerMarshmanandAssociatesweregiventhegrant
bytheNationalFootballLeague.TheRamsspentthepreviousseasonintheAmericanFootball
League.
In1946,theLosAngelesRams,undertheownershipofDanReeves,relocatedthe
franchisetoLosAngeles,wheretheRamscalledLosAngeleshomefor48years.Atthe
conclusionofthe1994season,undertheownershipofGeorgiaFrontiere,theLosAngelesRams
movedtoSt.Louis,Missouri.TheLosAngelesRamscalledSt.Louishomeuntiltheconclusion
ofthe20152016NFLseason
Today,theLosAngelesRamsoperateunderthepowerofStanKroenke.Underthe
supervisionofKroenke,theteamrelocatedbacktoLosAngelesattheconclusionofthe
20152016NFLseason.
Nomatterthelocationandnomatterwhoisincharge,theLosAngelesRamshave
providedarichhistoryofentertainmenttomultiplefanbasesandmemoriesthatwillsurely
neverbeforgotten.Today,theLosAngelesRamsareoneofthebiggestfootballmarketsinthe
countryandaredevotedtobringingawinningatmospheretoitsfansandtheresidentsofLos
AngeleswiththeaspirationsofbringingtheLombardiTrophybacktoLosAngeles.

54

FactSheet
TheLosAngelesRamsbeganitscareerintheNFLastheClevelandRamsonFebruary
13,1937afterbeingapartoftheAmericanFootballLeaguein1936
TheLosAngelesRamsbecamethe10thteamintheNationalFootballLeaguesatthe
beginningofthe1937season
TheLosAngelesRamsrelocatedfromClevelandtoLosAngelesin1946
TheLosAngelesRamsmovedfromLosAngelestoSt.Louisattheendofthe1994
season.
TheLosAngelesRamsmovedfromSt.LouisbacktoLosAngelesattheendofthe2015
NFLseason
TheRamshavewonNFLchampionshipsin1945and1951,andtheSuperBowlin1999
ThecurrentowneroftheLosAngelesRamsisStanKroenke
TheLosAngelesRamscurrentlyaremembersoftheNFCWestconferencewiththe
ArizonaCardinals,SeattleSeahawks,andtheSanFrancisco49ers
TheRamswillhavetheirnewstadiuminInglewood,Californiaforthestartofthe2019
season,withanestimatedcostof$2.6billionandanestimatedcapacityof80,000seats
withthepossibilityofamaxcapacityof100,000seats
Untilthenewstadiumiscompleted,theRamswillplayattheL.A.MemorialColiseum
TheteamisalsoencouragingfellowNFLmembersOaklandRaidersandSanDiego
Chargerstojointheminthenewstadiumwhentheircurrentcontractsexpire
OwnerStanKroenkehasanestimatedworthof$7.4billion

55

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Bonsignore,V.(2016).ConstructiononLARamsstadiumdelayedduetoElNino.
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CaliforniaOfficials.(n.d.).RetrievedApril19,2016,from
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splashatQBinLA

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(n.d.).RetrievedApril19,2016,from

http://www.latimes.com/sports/

P.,&Walker,A.(2016).TheBigProblemWithLA'sNewFootballStadium.Retrieved
April19,2016,from
http://gizmodo.com/thebigproblemwithlasnewfootballstadium1757924206
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/25/michaelsamelaboratesonreportofra
mshardknocksdeal/

Sports,A.P.(2016).LosAngelesRamstobefeaturedonHBO's'HardKnocks'
RetrievedApril19,2016,from
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2016/03/23/losangelesramshardknock
shbo/82158290/

StateGovernment.(n.d.).RetrievedApril19,2016,from
http://www.ca.gov/About/Government/State/

TheSt.LouisRamsCompleteCheatingHistory.(2015).RetrievedApril19,2016,from
http://yourteamcheats.com/STL#Headsetgate1980

StateGovernment.(n.d.).RetrievedApril19,2016,from
http://www.ca.gov/About/Government/State/

57

AppendixA100Facts
1.

WhentheRamsbecamethefirstNFLfranchiseinLosAngeles,oneoftheconditionsin

theirleasetoplayintheLosAngelesColiseumwastointegratetheteamwithatleastone
AfricanAmericanplayer.
2.

Theclubfoundtheperfectoptionfromtheirnewcity,andsignedrunningbackKenny

WashingtonwhohadstarredatUCLAonMarch21,1946.
3.

ItdidnttakelongforL.A.towinanNFLChampionshiponcetheclubhadsettledin

California.BeforetheSuperBowlcameintoexistenceinthelate1960s,theRamsplayedin
threeconsecutiveNFLChampionshipgamesforthe1949,1950,and1951seasons.
4.

ThoughLosAngelescameawayemptyhandedagainstthePhiladelphiaEaglesin49

andtheClevelandBrownsin50,theclubwouldflipthescriptin51.
5.

TheRamsbeattheBrownsinachampionshipgamerematch,withNormVanBrocklin

connectingwithTomFearsona73yardpassinthefourthquartertogoupbythegamewinning
scoreof2417.
6.

WhilethenameTheFearsomeFoursomehasbeenusedtodescribeafewdefensive

lines,itbecamethemostpopularfromthemeninhorns.BetweenRoseyGrier,LamarLundy,
DavidDeaconJones,andMerlinOlsen,theRamsbecameadominantdefensivefront.While
thesackwasnotanofficialstatuntil1982,JoneshadoneofthegreatestrunsinNFLhistory,
averagingjustover20sacksaseasonfrom19641968.
7.

Afewplayersonthelinechanged,buttheresultsremainedthesameinthe70s.Olsen

andthenJackYoungbloodhelpedleadadefensivelinethatwonsevenconsecutivedivisiontitles
from1973to1979.
8.

Jones(159.5),Youngblood(151.5),andOlsen(94)remainatopthealltimefranchiselist

insacks.
9.

In1979,theRamswontheirseventhconsecutiveNFCWesttitleenroutetotheirfirst

SuperBowlappearance.

58

10.

LosAngeleswas56whenquarterbackVinceFerragamomadehisfirststartofthe

seasonforaMondayNightFootballmatchupagainsttheAtlantaFalconsonNov.19.
11.

TheRamswonthatcontest2014andwouldwintheirnextthreegamesaswell,

clinchingthedivisionwitha3413victoryoverAtlantaonDec.9.
12.

Intheplayoffs,FerragamothrewthreetouchdownpassesasLosAngelesbeatthe

CowboysinDallasinthedivisionalround,2119.BillyWaddycaughta50yardscoringstrike
inthefourthquarter,puttingtheRamsupbythefinalscore.
13.

LosAngelesthenshutouttheTampaBayBuccaneersintheNFCChampionshipgame,

90.FrankCorralconnectedonthreefieldgoalsandtheRamsdefenseheldtheBucstojust
sevenfirstdownsinasuffocatingdefensiveperformance.
14.

ThoughtheRamswouldfalltotheSteelersinSuperBowlXIV,the1979seasonstands

asoneofthebestinfranchisehistory.
15.

Asoneofthebestrunningbacksinleaguehistory,Dickersondeservesaspotallhisown.

InductedintotheProFootballHallofFamein1999,DickersonsfirstfouryearsasaRamwere
transcendent.AsLosAngelesNo.2overallpickin1983,heburstontothesceneasarookie,
rushingforaleagueleading1,808yardsandamassingatotalof2,212yardsfromscrimmage.
16.

DickersonthensettheNFLssingleseasonrushingrecordwith2,105yardsin1984,

averaging131.6yardsrushingpergame.Therunningbackonceagainledtheleagueinrushing
in1986,amassing1,821yardson404carries.
17.

Inall,Dickersonrushedfor7,245yardsforLosAngelesfrom19831987afranchise

recordthatstoodfortwodecades.
18.

TheRamsfranchisewasfoundedin1936asthe
ClevelandRams
intheshortlived

secondAmericanFootballLeague
beforejoiningtheNFLthenextyear.
19.

In1946,thefranchisemovedto
LosAngeles
.TheRamsfranchiseremainedinthe
metro

area
until1994,whentheymovedto
St.Louis
,andwereknownasthe
St.LouisRams
from1995
to2015.
20.

TheRamsfranchisereturnedtoLosAngelesin2016.

59

21.

OnJanuary12,1946,
DanReeves
wasdeniedarequestbytheother
NationalFootball

League
(NFL)ownerstomovehisteam,the
ClevelandRams
to
LosAngeles
andthe
then103,000seat
LosAngelesMemorialColiseum
.
22.

DanielFarrell"Dan"Reeves(June30,1912April15,1971)wasanAmericansports

entrepreneur,bestknownastheownerofthe
NationalFootballLeague's

Rams
franchisefrom
1941
tohisdeathin
1971
.HewasalsothefirstNFLownertosignan
AfricanAmerican
player
inthepost
WorldWarII
era,inkingdealswithhalfback
KennyWashington
andend
Woody
Strode
in1946,aswellasbeingthefirsttoemployafulltimescoutingstaff.
23.

ThesigningofWashingtoncaused"allhelltobreakloose"amongtheownersoftheNFL

franchises.
24.

ReevesthreatenedtoendhisrelationshipwiththeNFLandgetoutoftheprofessional

footballbusinessaltogetherunlesstheRamstransfertoLosAngeleswaspermitted
25.

Asettlementwasreachedand,asaresult,ReeveswasallowedtomovehisteamtoLos

Angeles.Consequently,theNFLbecamethefirstprofessionalcoasttocoastsportsentertainment
industry.
26.

Duringthe1951Championshipseason,Hirschpostedathenstunning1,495receiving

yardswith17touchdowns.Thepopularityofthiswideopenoffenseenabledthe
LosAngeles
Rams
tobecomethefirstprofootballteamtohavealltheirgamestelevisedin
1950
.
27.

The1960sweredefinedbytheRamsgreatdefensivelineof
RoseyGrier
,
MerlinOlsen
,

DeaconJones
,and
LamarLundy
,dubbedthe"
FearsomeFoursome
."
28.

Itwasthisgroupofplayerswhorestoredtheonfieldlusterofthefranchisein
1967
when

theRamsreached(butlost)theconferencechampionshipunderlegendarycoach
GeorgeAllen
.
29.

That
1967squad
wouldbecomethefirstNFLteamtosurpassonemillionspectatorsina

season,afeatthe
Rams
wouldrepeatthe
followingyear
.Ineachofthosetwoyears,theL.A.
Ramsdrewroughlydoublethenumberoffansthatcouldbeaccommodatedbytheircurrent
stadiumforafullseason.
30.

GeorgeAllenledtheRamsfrom1966to1970andintroducedmanyinnovations,

includingthehiringofayoung
DickVermeil
asoneofthefirst
specialteams
coaches.

60

31.

ThoughAllenwouldenjoyfivestraightwinningseasonsandwintwodivisionaltitlesin

histimewiththeRamsheneverwonaplayoffgamewiththeteam,losingin1967to
GreenBay
287andin
1969
2320to
Minnesota
.Allenwouldleaveafterthe1970seasontotakethehead
coachingjobfortheWashingtonRedskins.
32.

TheRams'opponentintheirfirst
SuperBowl
wasthedefendingchampion
Pittsburgh

Steelers
leadingathalftime1310andattheendofthethirdquarter1917.
33.

Intheend,however,theSteelersfinallyassertedthemselves,scoringtwotouchdownsin

the4thquarterandcompletelyshuttingdowntheRamsoffensetowintheirfourthSuperBowl,
3119.
34.

Priortothe
1979NFLseason
,ownerCarrollRosenbloomdiedinadrowningaccident,

andhiswidow,
GeorgiaFrontiere
,inherited70percentownershipoftheteam.Frontierethen
firedstepsonSteveRosenbloomandassumedtotalcontrolofRamsoperations.
35.

AshadbeenplannedpriortoRosenbloom'sdeath,theRamsmovedfromtheirlongtime

homeattheColiseumto
AnaheimStadium
innearby
OrangeCounty
in1980.
36.

Thereasonforthemovewastwofold.First,theNFL's
blackoutrule
forbadegamesfrom

beingshownonlocaltelevisioniftheydidnotselloutwithin72hoursoftheopeningkickoff.
37.

AstheLosAngelesMemorialColiseumseated92,604atthetime,itwasrarelypossible

tosellthatmanyticketsevenintheRams'bestyears,andsomostRamshomegameswere
blackedout.
38.

Asaresult,manyaffluentnewsuburbswerebuiltintheLosAngelesarea.Anaheim

Stadiumwasoriginallybuiltin1966tobethehomeofthe
CaliforniaAngels
.Toaccommodate
theRams'move,theballparkwasreconfiguredandenclosedtoaccommodateacapacityof
69,008inthefootballconfiguration.Withtheirnew,smallerhome,theRamshadnoproblem
sellingoutgames.
39.

In
1982
,the
OaklandRaiders
movedtoLosAngelesandtookupresidenceintheLos

AngelesMemorialColiseum.ThecombinedeffectofthesetwomoveswastodividetheRams'
traditionalfanbaseintwo.
40.

Thiswascoupledwiththeearly1980sbeingrebuildingyearsfortheclub,whilethe

Raiders
werewinnersof
SuperBowlXVIII
inthe
1983season
.Meanwhile,the
LosAngeles

61

Lakers
won
championships
in
1980
and
1982
enroutetowinningfivetitlesinthatdecade,the
LosAngelesDodgers
wonthe
WorldSeries
in
1981
and
1988
,andeventhe
LosAngelesKings
madeadeeprunintheplayoffsin1982.Asaresult,theRamsdeclinedsharplyinpopularity
duringthe1980s.
41.

WhileinSt.Louis(19952015),theRamsplayedtheirfirstfewhomegamesat
Busch

MemorialStadium
beforetheTransWorldDome(nowknownasthe
EdwardJonesDome
)was
completedduringthemiddleofthe1995season.
42.

Aperiodofsuccessoccurredbetween1999to2004whentheyqualifiedfortheplayoffs

infiveoutofthosesixseasons,includingawinin
SuperBowlXXXIV
againstthe
Tennessee
Titans
,andalosstothe
NewEnglandPatriots
in
SuperBowlXXXVI
.Otherthanthatperiodof
success,theSt.LouisRamsrepeatedlysufferedlosingseasons.
43.

2016:ReturntoLosAngeles:OnJanuary31,2014,boththe
LosAngelesTimes
andthe

St.LouisPostDispatch
reportedthatRamsownerStanKroenkehadpurchasedapproximately
60acresoflandadjacenttothe
Forum
in
Inglewood,California
.
44.

Thepurchasepricewasrumoredtohavebeenbetween$90millionand$100million.

CommissionerRogerGoodellrepresentedthatMr.Kroenkeinformedtheleagueofthepurchase.
45.

AsanNFLowner,anypurchaseoflandinwhichapotentialstadiumcouldbebuiltmust

bedisclosedtotheleague.KroenkesubsequentlyannouncedplanstobuildanNFLstadiumon
thesite,inconnectionwiththeownersoftheadjacent238acreHollywoodParksite,
StockbridgeCapitalGroup.
46.

ThisdevelopmenthasfurtherfueledrumorsthattheRamsintendtoreturnits

managementandfootballoperationstoSouthernCalifornia.Thelandwasinitiallytargetedfora
WalmartSupercenterbut
Walmart
couldnotgetthenecessarypermitstobuildit.
47.

Kroenkeismarriedto
AnnWaltonKroenke
whoisamemberofthe
Waltonfamily
and

manyofKroenke'srealestatedealshaveinvolvedWalmartproperties.

62

48.

OnJanuary5,2015,the
LosAngelesTimes
reportedthatStanKroenkeandStockbridge

CapitalGrouparepartneringupindevelopinganewNFLstadiumonthe
Inglewood
property
ownedbyKroenke.
49.

Theprojectwillincludeastadiumof80,000seatsandaperformancevenueof6,000

seatswhilereconfiguringthepreviouslyapproved
HollywoodPark
planforupto890,000square
feetofretail,780,000squarefeetofofficespace,2,500newresidentialunits,a300roomhotel
and25acresofpublicparks,playgrounds,openspaceandpedestrianandbicycleaccess.The
stadiumwouldlikelybereadyby2018.
50.

Inlieuofthis,St.Louiscounteredwith
astadiumplanforthenorthriverfrontareaof

downtown
,withthehopeofkeepingtheRamsinthecity.
51.

OnFebruary24,2015,theInglewoodCityCouncilapprovedthestadiumplanandthe

initiativewithconstructiononthestadiumplannedtobegininDecember2015.OnDecember
21,2015,ConstructionwasofficiallyunderwayforthestadiumontheHollywoodParksite.
52.

TheownersapprovedtheRams'planforastadiuminInglewood,which
currentlyis

estimatedat$1.9billion
.
53.

Theplan,whichwasannouncedbyRamsownerStanKroenkeayearago,includesthe

optionofhousingasecondteamwhichrightnowwouldbetheChargers,shouldtheydecideto
go.Thestadiumwouldbepartofanentertainment,retailandresidentialcomplex.
54.

LosAngeleswillwelcomethereturnofNFLfootballwiththeconstructionofanew

80,000seatstadiumcomplexand"NFLDisneyWorld,"expectedtobecometheworld'smost
expensivesportsarena.
55.

Thedevelopmenthasanestimatedcostof$2.6billionmorethan$1billionmorethan

NewJersey'sMetLifeStadium,currentlytheleague'smostcostlyvenue.
56.

RamsownerandpropertydeveloperStanKroenke,whohasanestimatedpersonalnet

worthof$7.4billion,iscreditedwithspearheadingthereturnofNFLfootballtothecountry's
secondlargestcity.

63

57.

AccordingtoRamsgeneralmanagerLesSnead,appearingontheNFLNetworkon

Mondaymorninginadvanceofthisweek'sleaguemeeting,therewillbesomecarryoverfrom
theSTLdays.
58.

"
CaseKeenum
isgoingtobeourstarteratthebeginningoftheseason."LesSnead,

RamsGMon
@nflnetwork
/ErinCoscarelli(@erincoscarelli)
March21,2016
59.

KevinDemoff,theRams'executivevicepresidentoffootballoperations,saidMonday

thattheteamdoesnotplantochangeuniformsuntilthe2019season.
60.

TheRamshadblueandwhiteuniformsinthemid1960sandthenchangedtoblue,

yellowandwhiteinthe'70s.TheSt.LouisRamscolorswereblue,goldandwhite.
61

The
NFL
requiresteamstosubmitpermissiontooverhauluniformsbetweenJanuaryand

Marchofagivenyearforimplementationtwoyearsafterthat,Demoffsaid.
62.

TheRams'uniformissuewillbeofficiallydiscussedforthefirsttimeTuesdayattheNFL

owners'meetings.ButDemoffsaidtheteamwouldnotapplyforachangeuntil2017,puttingit
ontrackforimplementationin2019
63.

CoachJeffFisher,whooversawtheHoustonOilers'movetoTennesseeinthe1990s,has

experiencedealingwithtemporaryquarters.
64.

RamsSocialMedia

64

65.

PlayingintheColiseum,beforetheRams'movewasapprovedbyNFLownersin

January.TheRamsandUSChave"bothkindoftweaked"thetermsheet,but"therehavebeen
nomaterialchangestoit,"Demoffsaid.
66.

Salaryinfo.

66.

TheRamshavesaidtheytookmorethan56,000depositsforseasonticketsatthe

Coliseum,withdepositorsentitledtorequestamaximumofeightseats.DemoffsaidtheRams
hopedtobeginprocessingrequestsprioritizedintheordertheywerereceivedthefirst
weekinApril.
67.

Spendingonplayersonteam:breakdownbyposition

65

68.

TheRamswilllaunchWelcomeHomeRams.com.Thesitewillallowfanstopaya$100

refundabledeposittoaddtheirnamestoatemporarystadiumticketwaitlist.Althoughthatwill
notguaranteetherighttobuyseasontickets,membersofthewaitlistwillhavepriorityoverthe
generalpublicandwillbeassignedaprioritygroupbasedonwhenthedepositwasreceived.
Eachaccountholdercanpurchaseeightseasontickets.
69.

Salesarescheduledtostartinthespring.Ticketpricinghasyettobedetermined.

70.

"TheticketpricesstartingoffthisyearwillbeverycomparabletowhatwehadinSt.

Louis,"Demoffsaid.SeasonticketpricesperseatinSt.Louisrangedfrom$300to$1,750for
the2015season.
71.

Peoplewhopurchaseseasonticketsinthetemporarystadiumwillbegivenpriorityto

evaluateseatoptionsinthenewInglewoodstadiumbeforethegeneralpublic.
72.

OldestformerLARamtalksinarticle:Coolhistoricalarticle
BenAgajanian,the

oldestlivingLosAngelesRamat96,getsarealkickoutoftheirreturntoL.A.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/laspramsagajanianplaschke20160117column.html
73.

TeamArrestrecords:http://nflarrests.pointafter.com/d/a/St.LouisRams

74.

LARamsStadiumControversies

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/02/sports/football/inlosangelesstadiumsbattleheatsup.html
?_r=0
75.

TheRamsstatedintheirpropositiontomovetoLAthat:Onerecentstudyreportsthat

St.Louisranks490outof515U.S.citiesand61stamongthe64largestU.S.citiesineconomic
growthinrecentyears.

66

76.

ThatsamestudyreportedthatSt.Louishadthelowestrateofpopulationgrowthofany

majorU.S.cityfrom2008to2014registeringalossof1.74percentofitscitizenswhilemost
citiesregisteredgains.
77.

PEDSgate(6xsince1989)78.

78.

Performanceenhancingdrugs(PEDs)areusedbyplayerstoillegallyimproveathletic

performanceabovewhatlegaltrainingandpreparationcando.
79.

Playerswhoillegallyimprovetheirperformanceunfairlypenalizeplayerswhofollowthe

rules.Theynotonlyputthoseplayersatriskforphysicalinjury,buttheyalsoaffecttheir
economiclivelihoodbyimpactingtheirperceivedvalueandtheirabilitytosecure
appropriatelyvaluedplayingcontracts.
80.

Alldocumentedinfractionsfrom1960topresent:
TE
VernonKirk
(1989)
LB
ScottShanle
(2003)
WR
AustinPettis
(2011)
TE
BrodyEldridge
(2012)
LB
JoLonnDunbar
(2013)
WR
StedmanBailey
(2014)
VICTIM:Theentireleague
PUNISHED?Yes

81.

PUNISHMENT:Eachplayerwassuspendedforfourgamesforviolatingtheleague's

performanceenhancingdrugpolicy.Bailey'spenaltywas
overturned
bytheNFL'snew2014
drugpolicy.
82.

Walkthroughgate(2002):SUMMARY:Some
saltiermembers
ofthe2001Ramsliketo

blame
phantomPatriotsspying
asthereasontheylostthe2001SuperBowl,butthe
NewYork
Timesreported
onFebruary2,2002thattheRamsmayhavespiedonthePatriotsaswell.
83.

Accordingtothepaper:"Halfwaythroughpractice,Patriots'linebackerscoachPepper

Johnsonnoticedsomethinginathirdfloorwindowofahousenexttothefield.Clubandleague

67

officialssaidatelescopewasclearlyvisibleinthewindow,accordingtoapoolreport,andthat
15minuteslater,apersonappearedatthewindow,andthenvanished.Officialsscannedthe
windowwithbinoculars,butthepersonneverreturned."
84.

PUNISHMENT:There'snowaytoknowifthetelescopebelongedtoanavidfanora

partisanoftheRams,sonopunishmentisapplied.Seemsalittleshady,though.
85.

Bountygate:GreggWilliams,defensivecoordinatorfortheSaintandwasinvolvedin

Bountygatein2012andwassuspendedforayear.Heisnowthedefensivecoordinatorforthe
LARams.
86.

NFLMakesSecretDealwithRamstoDraftGayFootballPlayer:
HowardBalzer

87.

SourcessayNFLagreednottohaveRamsonHardKnocksin2014iftheydrafted

MichaelSam.
88.

RamsrunningbackTreMasonwasreportedlytakenintocustodySaturdayin

Hollywood,Floridaandarrestedonsuspicionofresistingarrest,marijuanapossession,reckless
drivingandnotregisteringhiscar.
89.

ConstructiononLARamsstadiumdelayedduetoElNino

90.

Sportseconomistsarequicktopointoutthatthejobsandprojectedrevenuesassociated

withbuildingandoperatinganewstadiumareofteninflated.
91.

Newstadiumisexpectedtobeupandrunningintimeforthe2019footballseason.

92.

Ramsowner
StanKroenke
teamedupwith
StockbridgeCapitalGroup
tocraftthe

stadiumplan,whichincludestheoptionofhousingasecondteam.
93.

TheplanincludesaoneyearoptionfortheSanDiegoChargerstojoinasthesecond

teaminLosAngeles.
94.

TheRamscurrentheadcoachisJeffFisher.

95.

TheRamshadthe#1pickintheNFLDraftin2010anddraftedSamBradfordfrom

Oklahoma.
96.

TheLosAngelesRamsreceivedmorethan45,000depositsforseasonticketsduringthe

firsttwodaystheycouldbemade.

68

97.

TheLosAngelesRamsweredefeatedinSuperBowl36totheNewEnglandPatriots

2017.
98.

InSt.Louis,however,asecondlawsuithasbeenfiledovertheRamsmovetoLos

Angeles,thistimebyholdersofpersonalseatlicenseswhosaytheyshouldretaintheirrightto
seatlicensesandseasonticketsinCalifornia.(Jan.2016)
99.

ThemayorofLosAngeleswantstheRamstohostSuperBowl55.

100.

MayorEricGarcettihasbeenalifelongRamsfans.