Lakers, Dodgers join LA sports teams with $8 million donation to fire relief

The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Dodgers are two of 12 LA-based sports organizations that have come together to donate $8 million to the city fire mitigation efforts.

These teams have also joined forces with the Fanatics, who are donating $3 million worth of goods to residents who have been displaced from their homes.

In addition to the Lakers and Dodgers, the Angels, ClippersChargers, Ducks, Galaxy, Kings, Rams, Sparks, Angel City FC and LA FC everyone is included.

Fanatics also sells LA Strong merchandise on the websites of the teams listed above, as well as the websites of the Los Angeles Golf Club, LA28 and University of Southern California.

“We are.” dedicated as always in Los Angeles,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said in a statement. “We recognize that this is not just about our community.” We are committed to helping people as much as we can and we will.”

Reddick also pledged to donate to relief efforts on his own.

The news comes as wildfires continue to wreak havoc in the Los Angeles area. The number of dead is up to 24, and the AP states that this number is an increase is expected as firefighters continue to search the rubble. In addition, four wildfires have consumed 62 square miles, which is larger than the entire city of San Francisco. With sustained winds forecast through Wednesday, the situation in Los Angeles remains uncertain.

In addition to team donations, individual athletes also stepped up. Freddie Freeman and Chris Taylor, both Dodgers, have already gotten involved. Freeman and his wife Chelsea have announced that they will donate a combined $300,000 to Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the Pasadena Fire Department and the Salvation Army.

Taylor and his wife Mary have launched a fundraiser through their own foundation and will match donations up to $5,000.

Russell Steinberg covers Major League Baseball and the New York Liberty for ClutchPoints. A lifelong baseball and basketball player, he has written for Boardroom, SLAM, SB Nation, The Next and more. He graduated from NIU in 2012 and still returns to serve as the announcer and occasional broadcaster for the school’s basketball and volleyball teams.