SoFi so good before World Cup spotlight
The Sporting Tribune's Arash Markazi looks at how SoFi Stadium made its field World Cup-ready this offseason and why you won’t see any changes during the NFL season.
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1. SoFi so good before World Cup spotlight
The Sporting Tribune's Arash Markazi looks at how SoFi Stadium made its field World Cup-ready this offseason and why you won’t see any changes during the NFL season.
SoFi Stadium underwent offseason renovations to increase the size of its field in preparation for the 2026 World Cup but it was hard for soccer fans who watched the recent Arsenal-Manchester United match at the $5 billion home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers to see the changes.
In fact, the changes won’t really be noticeable to anyone until the United States takes the field at SoFi Stadium on June 12, 2026 for its first World Cup at home in 32 years.
That’s because the modifications that were made largely involved replacing concrete in the lower bowl with seating sections that can be rolled back or temporarily removed and stacked like a Lego set, according to Otto Benedict, the Senior Vice President, Facility and Campus Operations at Sofi Stadium and Hollywood Park. The changes will not change the seating capacity or layout of the stadium.
Benedict gave The Sporting Tribune a look at how the field will be expanded for the 2026 World Cup during the Arsenal-Manchester United match, which was the last soccer game at SoFi Stadium before the stadium hosts back-to-back preseason games for the Rams and Chargers this weekend heading into the stadium's fifth season as the home of both NFL teams.
2. Los Angeles looks on as Paris transportation gets makeover prior to Olympics
As Los Angeles gets ready to host the Summer Olympics in four years, The Sporting Tribune’s Francisco Molina is in Paris taking a look at how they prepared to host the Games this year.
To host the Olympic Games, a city must address several factors, among them security, venues, housing for athletes and visitors and transportation.
Paris won the 2024 Olympic Games in part because of its existing infrastructure, including event venues and an efficient transportation system. And now two weeks into the Games, visitors are largely satisfied with their ability to get around the city.
“As far as the subways have gone, we have had a good experience,” said Wendy Mayer, who is visiting from Lafayette, Indiana. “There's been multiple people at every single subway stop directing you.
“There's signage at every venue stop that tells you what venue is at that spot. There's been a ton of people with little foam fingers directing you where to go.”
Île-de-France Mobilités, the French transportation authority, devised a plan that it described as “tailor-made” for the Olympics Games and launched a mobile-phone app, “Transport Public Paris 2024” designed to enhance travel for the anticipated 500,000 spectators per day.
The entire plan is designed to address three major factors: safety, accessibility and cleanliness.
3. Lakers unveil second statue honoring Kobe & Gigi Bryant
A statue of Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant was unveiled outside of Cypto.com Arena and The Sporting Tribune’s Fredo Cervantes was there when the public was allowed to view it for the first time. It is the second of three planned Bryant statue outside of the arena.
The Lakers have unveiled the second Kobe Bryant statue outside Crypto.com Arena, honoring the five-time NBA champion and his daughter, Gianna Maria-Onor’e Bryant. The statue recognizes Bryant's pride in being a 'Girl Dad' and the Bryant family’s support for women and girls in sports.
On Friday, Vanessa Bryant had a special ceremony outside the Crypto.com Arena. The event was held at the 11th Street entrance, which has been officially renamed the "Kobe Bryant Entrance" in honor of the late basketball legend. This entrance is also where the media enters the arena.
Earlier this year, the Lakers unveiled the first Kobe Bryant statue at Star Plaza outside the arena. Bryant is the seventh Laker to be honored with a statue. The Lakers and Vanessa agreed to reveal this statue on a special date, which holds special significance as 8/2/24.
This date honors both the numbers Kobe wore during his career: 8 from the 1996-97 season until the 2005-06 season, and 24 from the 2006-07 season until he retired in 2016. His daughter Gigi wore the number 2 while playing basketball.
The statue was designed by Karon Davis and created by the artists of Rotblatt Amrany Studio. It shows Kobe with his arm around Gianna and angel wings behind them. They are surrounded by hedges, symmetrical benches, and purple and gold flowers reflecting the Lakers' colors Kobe wore for 20 years. Engraved butterflies made of purple onyx and golden vein onyx border the flowers, symbolizing transformation and hope.
4. Dylan Laube's rise from overlooked draft pick to training camp standout
Las Vegas Raiders sixth-round pick Dylan Laube has become the team’s (not so) secret weapon heading into preseason, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Anthony Bautista.
Back in April, Laube was selected in the 6th-round from the University of New Hampshire, a pick that didn’t turn many heads.
Fast forward to August and now he’s making plays at Raiders training camp, turning heads and garnering praise from his coaches and teammates alike.
Despite the buzz since getting drafted, Laube remains focused on making the 53-man roster, though his parents can’t help but share the excitement when they see his name in the headlines.
“My parents definitely send me a couple things,” Laube said. “But at the same time man, it’s practice. The main goal at practice is to get better every day so at the same time, it’s not a big deal.”
5. Chargers vs. Rams joint practice: Bolts defense shines, offense worrisome
The Sporting Tribune's Fernando Ramirez writes while the defense showed out on Sunday the offense without Justin Herbert looked pedestrian.
The two NFL teams in Los Angeles met at "The Bolt" on Sunday morning for a joint practice.
It was a good test for both teams. Sean McVay's Rams are considered a Super Bowl contender, and Jim Harbaugh's Chargers are considered a potential playoff-caliber squad.
The Chargers have three fields in their facility. The one closest to the building was used for the Chargers' offense versus the Rams' defense, the middle field was used for special teams, and the far field was used for the Chargers' defense versus the Rams' offense.
The high point was the Chargers' defense, but this will start with the offense.
6. Quarterback competition takes center stage at UNLV fall camp
The Sporting Tribune’s Will Despart takes a look at the quarterback battle taking place at UNLV going into this upcoming college football season.
UNLV football’s preseason camp is officially in full swing. The main story is the three-way starting quarterback battle between highly touted transfers Matthew Sluka (Holy Cross) and Hajj-Malik Williams (Campbell) as well as returning Rebels’ backup Cameron Friel.
UNLV was among the most sought after portal destinations in all of the Group of 5, as evidenced by their ability to land two of the top FCS QBs available. Still, Friel is being given what appears to be an equal opportunity to win the job himself after being with the program the last three seasons.
While Sluka’s credentials from his decorated career at Holy Cross likely give him the edge to start the competition, the reality is that each quarterback has major strengths that could result in playing time this year.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see this competition continue weeks into the season after each player responds in a game environment. That’s an especially pressing question for Sluka and Williams, who played in two lower-tier FCS conferences against talent that can only be described as mediocre.
7. Video of the Day
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8. Ticket Time
Here are the “get in” prices for tickets if you’re thinking about going to a game today:
7:10 p.m. - Phillies at Dodgers - $24
9. On the Air
Here are the game times and television channels for professional teams in the region today:
7:10 p.m. – Phillies at Dodgers – SportsNet LA
10. The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune
Listen to The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune on KIRN 670 AM and 95.5 FM in Southern California, 98.5 The Bet in Las Vegas and the Hawaii Sports Radio Network 95.1 FM and 760 AM in Hawaii. You can also listen to the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Stitcher. You can also watch every Friday on BLEAV on FuboTV.
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