LA Rams already playing tough defense against the Raiders, before training camp

Southern California is densely populated. Boasting urban centers like Los Angeles and San Diego, the area most often referred to as Southern California holds upwards of 24 million people (as of the 2016 estimates). So it's no small wonder that the area is quite popular with NFL teams. More people means more fans in the stands and more merchandise sales.

But in 2024, the number of teams hoping to poach the allegiance of football fans in Southern California may have crossed the line. While the area is home to the LA Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, this summer the area is home to the training camps of five NFL teams. They are, in no particular order:

• LA Rams - Loyola Marymount University
• Los Angeles Chargers - El Segundo Training facility
• New Orleans Saints - UC Irvine
• Dallas Cowboys - Oxnard
• Las Vegas Raiders - Jack Hammett Sports Complex

With five NFL teams all packed together, the marketing agreements that provide for local television coverage and fan participation throughout the regular season do not fit the situation.

As detailed by Paul Gutierrez, ESPN Staff Writer, NFL teams hold exclusive marketing rights out 75 miles in all directions. Since the Raiders had elected to locate their 2024 Summer Training Camp within that 75-mile exclusive marketing radius, they are forbidden from marketing the event.

So are the Rams and Chargers simply being petty? Or were the Raiders a bit reckless, rubbing their Southern California popularity in the face of both the Rams and Chargers just to line their own pockets by poaching NFL fans? While some opinions are trying to place the burden of blame on the Rams and Chargers, the truth is that the Raiders could have elected to train anywhere.

They chose Southern California, and that makes them accountable for what comes next. And there are adverse consequences. Here are the reasons offered by team owner Mark Davis:

"The best part of not doing it in Las Vegas is the bonding. When camp is here [in Henderson], the vets, the ones that have homes here, they go home and see family. When you are away at camp, you are together. That kind of bonding.

It was something (HC) Antonio (Pierce) wanted to go after."

- Raiders owner Mark Davis

So in the Raiders' minds, this austere training camp situation without home life, fans, or any other promotional events is why they sought Southern California as a venue. Coach Piece wants to isolate his players to ensure that they are not distracted. The plan is that they will spend their time bonding with one another and stay focused on football.

Will it work? It's worth a shot. But I have to side with the LA Rams on this one. The Rams do not locate their training facilities in Fort Worth, TX, in Baton Rouge, LA, nor in Reno, NV. So it is perfectly acceptable for the team, still trying to build and retain a fan base since coming back to Los Angeles in 2016, to veto any more market sharing on a whim.

Thanks for reading.