LOS ANGELES –- In an effort to create a more secure and enjoyable game-day experience for fans at local sports events, the Los Angeles Sports Council, in cooperation with sports venues, area teams, and law enforcement agencies, today announced the creation of the Southern California Fan Code of Conduct that has been approved by the Council’s recently created Task Force on Fan Behavior.
The Task Force, which includes representatives of all local sports venues with a capacity of 10,000 or more, developed 10 easy-to-understand guidelines intended to foster a comfortable and safe atmosphere for spectators. Although most venues and teams already have their own codes of conduct, this is the first time a common code, which can subject violators to ejection or arrest, will apply to multiple sports facilities in the region.
The fan code a stricter crackdown on abusive language or profanity, fighting or threatening behavior, over-the-top intoxication, the resale of tickets, throwing objects and smoking outside of areas designated for such activities. Wearing clothing to a collegiate or professional sports venue with offensive language won’t be tolerated as well.
The idea for a universal code of conduct resulted from a Fan Behavior Summit hosted by the Sports Council in June 2011 that attracted nearly 100 executives from the area’s sports facilities, universities, professional teams, and local law enforcement agencies.
“More than 20 million spectators buy tickets to area sporting events each year and it is important that they continue to feel safe when they attend these events. This is an initiative to get the message out to people that certain behavior is prohibited regardless of which local venue you go to,” said L.A. Sports Council Chairman Scott London.
Attending today’s press conference were representatives from the L.A. Sports Council’s Task Force on Fan Behavior, plus senior management from the area’s sports venues and universities, as well as elected officials and high-ranking law enforcement personnel.
That list include Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero, USC Athletic Director Pat Hayden, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, Los Angeles Dodgers President Stan Kasten and AEG President Tim Leiweke.
“This will not replace any existing codes of conduct but is intended as a streamlined, fan-friendly version whose rules will apply to all professional and collegiate sporting events at our larger venues,” said Sports Council President David Simon. “Breaking any of these common sense rules may subject violators to ejection or arrest.”
Each venue will be responsible for disseminating the code of conduct to its fans. The Task Force plans to produce a video utilizing local celebrities in support of this effort.
The public relations firm of Burson Marsteller provided assistance to the Task Force in the creation of the Southern California Fan Code of Conduct.
The Task Force will continue to meet regularly to share information, evaluate the code’s effectiveness and examine ways to enhance the fan experience at Southern California sports events.
The Los Angeles Sports Council is a private, nonprofit organization that encourages economic and community development through the promotion of spectator sports programs in the Los Angeles and Orange County area, including support of our local teams and the attraction of events to the area. For more information visit www.lasports.org.
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