NFL fans criticized the decision to choose State Farm Stadium as the backup stadium for the Los Angeles Rams playoff game, after the insurance company canceled coverage for thousands of California homeowners before the games. wildfires this week.
The LA Rams are scheduled to host the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium in the first round of the NFL playoffs on Monday night.
But there are already plans to move the game to State Farm Stadium in Arizona as fires rage through Los Angeles, destroying homes and killing five people.
The Rams-Vikings game will be held at the Cardinals' home, in case the situation worsens in California.
But some fans have pointed out that in 2023, State Farm announced it would stop accepting new applications for homeowners insurance in the Golden State.
Last year, the company revealed it would stop covering 72,000 homes in California. It came amid the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in the state.
Many areas around Los Angeles, California, have been destroyed by deadly wildfires.
The LA Rams will host the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium in the NFL playoffs
“Imagine you live in Los Angeles, you're a Rams fan, and you lost your house in a fire for which State Farm revoked your coverage, and now you have to watch your team play this weekend at State Farm Stadium,” he said. a fan on social networks.
'The NFL says the 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 canceled insurance policies right before the fire,” said another.
'…At State Farm Stadium. The same State Farm that pulled out of California and screwed policyholders who were directly affected by the fires? “For the love of God, @NFL, read the room,” a third added.
According to the New York Times, many homeowners in the wealthy Pacific Palisades neighborhood can't find (or keep) coverage.
Last summer, 70 percent of State Farm customers in the neighborhood (about 1,600 homeowners) reportedly lost their insurance.
Fires have been raging in the area since Tuesday and, by Thursday, had spread to surrounding suburbs as winds blew embers and debris in all directions.
The death toll has reached five, and firefighters are still battling hellish conditions in an attempt to stop the devastation.
Many residents will rely on their fire insurance to repair damage caused by the fire, and experts estimate the bill could reach $60 billion.
DailyMail.com has contacted the NFL for comment.
A State Farm spokesperson told DailyMail.com: “Our number one priority right now is the safety of our customers, agents and employees affected by the fires and helping our customers in the midst of this tragedy.”