Likely no more Super Bowls, but Coliseum chief declares theres’s a bright future for iconic LA arena – Orange County Register

John F. Kennedy spoke at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in front of a reported 80,000 people at the Democratic National Convention in 1960. Other notables to have graced the 99-year-old stadium before large crowds include Pope John Paul II in 1987 and Nelson Mandela in 1990.

The L.A. Rams first occupied these hallowed halls in 1946, when them arrived from Cleveland. On Sunday, they will take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI — about six and on-half miles away, at SoFi Stadium. The Coliseum hosted the first Super Bowl in 1967 — before it was even called that — and another in 1973. But with Inglewood’s posh new palace in operation, it likely won’t see another.

The Rams called the stone sports temple home until they moved to Anaheim for the 1980 season and again played in the old haunt and took on Seattle in front of over 91,000 fans on Sept. 18, 2016 after returning from St. Louis.

But the Rams were just waiting for SoFi to be built and once it was finished, their four-year return engagement at the Coliseum was over as the SoFi era began in 2020.

The Raiders also made the Coliseum their home, from 1982-94.

The Dodgers played at the Coliseum for four years after moving from Brooklyn ahead of the 1958 season. Left-handed-hitting outfielder Wally Moon used to hit what were called “Moon Shots,” by lofting the ball over the high screen of the short left-field fence.

Heck, even daredevil Evil Knievel jumped 50 cars on his motorcycle there in 1973. Also, the Coliseum hosted the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games (and it’ll play a role when then return in 2028).

Concerts? How about “The Boss” Bruce Springsteen in 1985 and the Rolling Stones in 1989.

Let’s not forget that evangelist Billy Graham spoke there in front of some 134,254 people in 1963.

Wait, there’s more. Since the Coliseum opened in 1923, it has been home to USC football. From 1928 to 1981, it was also home to crosstown rival UCLA football.

Some of this is all in the past, and will stay there. For one thing, Coliseum commission president George L. Pla knows that with the Rams and Chargers now calling SoFi home, the NFL would likely never allow another team in the city.

“Yeah, we’re not going to get a third team,” he said.

He delivered an adamant “No!” when asked if having an NFL team occupy the Coliseum is even a concern these days.

Moving forward, while at the same time honoring the history of a venue that next January will celebrate its 100th birthday, is the focus.

The Coliseum is jointly owned by the city of Los Angeles, L.A. County and the state of California. However, it is operated by USC, which in 2019 completed a $315 million renovation with the funds coming from private donations.