Billionaire NFL Owner Files Lawsuit Against Billboards Surrounding His LA Stadium
Stan Kroenke, the billionaire owner of the National Football League’s Los Angeles Rams, has taken a firm stance against the installation of billboards that he claims jeopardize the success of his $5.5 billion sports and entertainment complex in Inglewood, California, the nation’s second-largest city.
Kroenke has filed a lawsuit alleging that the city is violating its agreement by permitting digital billboards to be erected near his SoFi Stadium. He argues that these billboards will divert consumer spending away from the Rams’ home, which is also set to host significant events such as the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Olympic Games.
According to Kroenke’s legal team, the advertising would undermine exclusive sponsorships and facilitate “ambush marketing” during some of the world’s most prestigious sporting events. With a net worth nearing $27 billion, Kroenke is determined to protect his investment.
Inglewood’s legal representatives, however, have countered that Kroenke’s claims are rooted in greed and that his actions could deprive the public of potential revenue. They assert that the advertising restrictions he cites are based on a development agreement that is not enforceable.
Although the billboards have yet to be installed, the conflict has escalated into a larger battle over advertising rights in the vicinity of these lucrative venues.
“Billionaires are not above the law,” the city stated in a recent court filing in response to Kroenke’s lawsuit, which was initiated in July in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Kroenke is the mastermind behind the 300-acre Hollywood Park development, located approximately four miles east of Los Angeles International Airport. Uniquely, this massive sports facility was developed without public financing. In addition to the stadium, Hollywood Park includes the YouTube Theater, along with various office, retail, and residential spaces.
This area is also home to the Intuit Dome, a $2 billion arena owned by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, which has been the home of the Los Angeles Clippers since 2024. The impressive venues have earned Inglewood the title of “City of Champions.” Ballmer’s companies are also embroiled in a lawsuit against Inglewood regarding the billboards.
In April, Inglewood approved a contract with WOW Media to install up to 60 digital billboards around Hollywood Park, with plans to share advertising revenue with the city. Kroenke’s complaint argues that this deal violates the terms of his 2015 development agreement, which prohibits billboards near his property and diverts funds from his investment while capitalizing on traffic generated by his venues.
“The city has pulled the rug out from under Hollywood Park,” Kroenke’s lawyers stated.
Inglewood contends that the development agreement is invalid, as it was approved through a citizen-led referendum rather than direct negotiations. The city maintains that it has every right to utilize public land as it sees fit.
“We have every right to use public land for what we want to do,” Inglewood Mayor James Butts remarked in an interview. “I don’t see any legal arguments that would give them control over what we do on city land.”
Kroenke’s legal team has not yet responded to the city’s latest court filing.
Known for his aggressive tactics, Kroenke previously moved the Rams from St. Louis to Los Angeles in 2016, a decision that led to years of litigation culminating in a $790 million settlement. The Rams are set to face the Carolina Panthers in a wild card playoff game this Saturday.
The case is Pincay Re LLC v. City of Inglewood, 25TRCV04256, Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Top photo: Stan Kroenke at the Allen & Co. Media and Technology Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, in 2025. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg.
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Stan Kroenke, the billionaire owner of the National Football League’s Los Angeles Rams, has taken a firm stance against the installation of billboards that he claims jeopardize the success of his $5.5 billion sports and entertainment complex in Inglewood, California, the nation’s second-largest city.
Kroenke has filed a lawsuit alleging that the city is violating its agreement by permitting digital billboards to be erected near his SoFi Stadium. He argues that these billboards will divert consumer spending away from the Rams’ home, which is also set to host significant events such as the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Olympic Games.
According to Kroenke’s legal team, the advertising would undermine exclusive sponsorships and facilitate “ambush marketing” during some of the world’s most prestigious sporting events. With a net worth nearing $27 billion, Kroenke is determined to protect his investment.
Inglewood’s legal representatives, however, have countered that Kroenke’s claims are rooted in greed and that his actions could deprive the public of potential revenue. They assert that the advertising restrictions he cites are based on a development agreement that is not enforceable.
Although the billboards have yet to be installed, the conflict has escalated into a larger battle over advertising rights in the vicinity of these lucrative venues.
“Billionaires are not above the law,” the city stated in a recent court filing in response to Kroenke’s lawsuit, which was initiated in July in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Kroenke is the mastermind behind the 300-acre Hollywood Park development, located approximately four miles east of Los Angeles International Airport. Uniquely, this massive sports facility was developed without public financing. In addition to the stadium, Hollywood Park includes the YouTube Theater, along with various office, retail, and residential spaces.
This area is also home to the Intuit Dome, a $2 billion arena owned by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, which has been the home of the Los Angeles Clippers since 2024. The impressive venues have earned Inglewood the title of “City of Champions.” Ballmer’s companies are also embroiled in a lawsuit against Inglewood regarding the billboards.
In April, Inglewood approved a contract with WOW Media to install up to 60 digital billboards around Hollywood Park, with plans to share advertising revenue with the city. Kroenke’s complaint argues that this deal violates the terms of his 2015 development agreement, which prohibits billboards near his property and diverts funds from his investment while capitalizing on traffic generated by his venues.
“The city has pulled the rug out from under Hollywood Park,” Kroenke’s lawyers stated.
Inglewood contends that the development agreement is invalid, as it was approved through a citizen-led referendum rather than direct negotiations. The city maintains that it has every right to utilize public land as it sees fit.
“We have every right to use public land for what we want to do,” Inglewood Mayor James Butts remarked in an interview. “I don’t see any legal arguments that would give them control over what we do on city land.”
Kroenke’s legal team has not yet responded to the city’s latest court filing.
Known for his aggressive tactics, Kroenke previously moved the Rams from St. Louis to Los Angeles in 2016, a decision that led to years of litigation culminating in a $790 million settlement. The Rams are set to face the Carolina Panthers in a wild card playoff game this Saturday.
The case is Pincay Re LLC v. City of Inglewood, 25TRCV04256, Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Top photo: Stan Kroenke at the Allen & Co. Media and Technology Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, in 2025. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg.
Interested in Lawsuits?
Get automatic alerts for this topic.
