Should the Lakers Help Out Recovering Local Businesses?
Lakers fans celebrate as damaged local shops try to recover.
In light of recent rioting after the Lakers won their 14th NBA title, the the NBA-champion Los Angeles Lakers managed to generate funding for their celebration parade. Private donors have agreed to cover close to $1 million of the costs for the victory parade.
This should dissuade a controversy over funding of the festivities by the cash-strapped city. However, it brings to light another issue for consideration.
Why are the Lakers not held (perhaps even only partially) responsible in helping local business recover from the rioting caused by their victory?
Los Angeles as a whole has been trying to repaint the image of the downtown Los Angeles area. It has taken may years for this new reuptation to be built, and it has been gaining steam.
This recent activity has thrust this image right back to where it was in the minds of locals: dangerous, unsafe and unstable. This step backwards in reputation will surely have a negative impact on these businesses and will add to the loss and damage done.
I feel it would be a great gesture of an NBA Championship caliber franchise to support the community and adjacent local businesses. These businesses were damaged only after Lakers fans propagated en masse to loot, destroy, and pillage for goods during a post victory “celebration”.
I find it ironic that these businesses who rely on the Lakers fans and Staples Center patrons for their survival end up receiving their biggest loss by their hands.
The Lakers should pay some sort of restitution to their local businesses and perhaps give money back in an effort to repair what is essentially their fault.
Alas, it is 11:00 AM PST as this blog is finished, and the parade has already begun.
Maybe it is true that sometimes when you win, you really do lose…..
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Wed, Jun 17, 2009 by Adam Sedie
News, Opinions