Wildfires continue to rage across the Los Angeles area, inspiring Flutter Entertainment, and its subsidiaries, including US sports betting market leader FanDuel, to donate a quarter of a million dollars to assist with relief efforts.
LAFD Needs Help
As of this writing, 70,000 residents have had to evacuate their homes in the LA and Pacific Palisades area, with billions of dollars in damage lying in the wildfires’ infernal wake. Ten people have been confirmed killed as a result of the rampaging fires, and first responders are overwhelmed.
Flutter Entertainment and FanDuel Step Up
Donations are critical at this juncture, which has prompted gaming giant Flutter Entertainment and its American mobile sports betting juggernaut, FanDuel, to donate $250,000 to Americares and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.
“FanDuel and Flutter have been proud members of the Los Angeles business community for over two decades. We are heartbroken by the devastating loss these wildfires have created in a community we call home,” said Amy Howe, CEO of FanDuel. “We are committed to ensuring our employees are safe and making sure the community has the resources it needs to support the heroic efforts of our first responders.”
Widespread power outages have affected more than 900,000 customers while the Santa Ana winds have ignited even more fires, which has left firefighters exhausted and equipment worn out.
Americares’ Efforts in the Crisis
According to the foundations’ website, “Americares is responding to the multiple wildfires devastating Los Angeles, including the Eaton, Hurst, and Palisades fires. We have offered assistance to more than 70 partners across California and are prepared to address urgent health needs and help restore health services for survivors.”
Although mobile sports betting has not been passed in the Golden State, FanDuel has more than 400 employees in California who run its daily fantasy sports platform, as well as it being the home base for some of its software systems and development for the company’s online sports betting technology. Moreover, FanDuel TV is located in Culver City.
NBA Stars Feel the Burn
The California wildfires have had devastating effects on everyone and everything in its wake. Its high-profile residents get no special treatment, and it has been reported that Golden State Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr, evacuated his 90-year-old mother and watched his childhood home burn to the ground.
“It’s been tough. My family’s fine; my mom’s in good hands, but her house is gone,” Kerr said.
“The town looks like it’s just been completely wiped out—it’s surreal and devastating. But fortunately, almost everyone escaped,” he added. “It’s hard to even fathom how Pacific Palisades rebuilds and how it becomes a thriving community again. It’s just shocking.”
Lakers head coach JJ Reddick was also impacted by the raging wildfires, as he and his family were forced to evacuate their rental property that was lost in the blaze.
Kawhi Leonard has stepped away from his Clippers’ team after recently returning from injury. Leonard owns a $17 million mansion in the Los Angeles area and is attending to his family.
“You definitely have to take care of home… Totally had my support 100%,” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue told reporters before the team’s Wednesday night game with the Nuggets. “Going back, checking on his family and kids, making sure they’re well. And he got back, and they’re doing OK, so just happy and thankful for that.”
Sports Scheduling Affected by Wildfires
The fires have caused schedule changes as well, with the LA Kings postponing their game against the Calgary Flames while college hoops home games involving Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount have also been paused.
The LA Rams will lose their homefield advantage at SoFi Stadium as the league has cited poor air quality as the driving force to relocate their wildcard game against the Vikings to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, home of the Cardinals.
