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May 7, 2018
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C A L I F O R N I A S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y, L O S A N G E L E S
Many suffer from mental health illnesses in silence; you're not alone.
Issue 216.15
IT'S REALLY NOT A BIG DEAL.
#StigmaFree Mental Health: Beyond the Stigma Disabilities displayed common myths about mental health as well as statistics on its effects.
Cal State LA promotes #StigmaFree for Mental Health Awareness Month.
According to the Global Medical Education organization, an estimated 1 in 4 people throughout the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Furthermore, the American Journal of Psychology states that 60 percent of people with mental illness won’t seek help due to the stigma of being labelled mentally ill.
Ashlee Navarec Contributing Writer Students gathered around the University-Student Union (U-SU) Plaza last Thursday to engage in mental health awareness at the second annual #StigmaFree event. Students donned green ribbons in support of a “StigmaFree” mindset when it came to their mental health. By remaining “StigmaFree”, students can refrain from being defined by the stereotypes and judgment of mental health issues. In a scavenger hunt throughout the U-SU Plaza, students learned about mental illnesses and the ways that they can eliminate social stigmas. By collecting signatures from each booth, attendees were given a JuiceItUp green smoothie and an opportunity to create their own pledge against negative
“I think it’s extremely important to have these resources on campus,” said Brianna Rodriguez, third year English major. “Some students don’t have other outlets or people to talk to so, by having these booths, other students know they’re not alone.” Camille Jessie
Students learn more about having a #StigmaFree mindset provided by the Cal State LA’s health center.
social stigmas. From Giant Jenga to trivia questionnaires, organizations including The Office for Students with Disabilities, Center for Engagement, Service
& The Public Good, The Health Hut and Veterans Resource Center worked together to engage students with various issues associated with mental health and its stigmatized perception.
Specifically, Cal State LA’s Student Health Center promoted the Counseling and Psychological Services offered to students at their booth, while the Office for Students with
Those that wish to support the cause can wear a lime green ribbon to represent the importance of mental health awareness, as well as continue the conversation on social media and in person. By speaking up and educating others on social stigmas, students can help change the way the world sees mental health.
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University Times
May 7, 2018
NEWS
DACA and Deferred Action Federal Court threatens to strike government memo rescinding DACA after federal court ruling. Anthony Karambelas Contributing Writer Once again, the lives of over half a million U.S. residents are up in the air. With a new court ruling that has challenged the government’s DACA rescission, the program may not only be back in the running, but also opened up to firsttime applicants and required to process applications for advanced parole. However, on the other hand, DACA could remain in its current state; the
light of the reliance interests involved,” wrote Bates. If effective, Trump may be forced to rescind his government memo that initialized the process to phase out DACA. In other words, undocumented immigrants may have a second chance. Bates will allow the Department of Homeland Security ninety days to support their case. If they manage to reissue a memorandum palatable to the court, then DACA’s could fall short of reinstatement. Bates wrote, “On the one hand, it is certainly possible that the Department could articulate a valid reason for DACA’s rescission. For example, it could offer a coherent legal argument that DACA conflicts with the INA or violates the President’s
Pax Ahimsa Gethen
A number of DACA recipients and activists protesting in San Francisco to defend dreamers.
“The better opinion would have been to immediately restore all of the original DACA, as the current decision prolongs the uncertainty that has terrorized undocumented youth once again,” said Sanchez. decision rests in the hands of the court. On April 24, Senior District Judge John D. Bates, appointed by President George W. Bush, mandated that the Trump administration’s decision to begin phasing out the program “was arbitrary and capricious because the Department failed adequately to explain its conclusion that the program was unlawful.” “Neither the meager legal reasoning nor the assessment of litigation risk provided by DHS to support its rescission decision is sufficient to sustain termination of the DACA program,” wrote Bates. Bates’ ruling is different from previous decisions in the past few months from California and New York, requiring the government to continue issuing work permits for residents currently enrolled with DACA. “The Department’s failure to give an adequate explanation of its legal judgment was particularly egregious here in
duty to ‘take care that the laws be faithfully executed,’ or it could explain why, as a matter of policy, DACA-eligible individuals should no longer be low-priority targets for removal.” The ruling developed out of a case brought up by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Microsoft, and senior student Maria Perales Sanchez at Princeton University. Although uncertain whether the ruling will have any effect, the plaintiffs are pleased to note that the courts agree DACA’s termination was unfounded and untenable. “The better opinion would have been to immediately restore all of the original DACA, as the current decision prolongs the uncertainty that has terrorized undocumented youth once again,” said Sanchez. “At the same time, I’m faithful that DACA’s constitutionality will be upheld, and I hope that soon DACA is available to new applicants.”
3 NEWS
University Times
May 7, 2018
Bon Voyage International Students! Study Abroad program hosts Bon Voyage party for international students heading back home. John Montoya Contributing Writer
On Wednesday, May 2, the University’s Study Abroad program held a farewell event for international students and those that will be leaving the country. Eric Bullard, Associate Vice President for International Programs and Social Engagements, has helped coordinate the Study Abroad program for the last five years. Bullard has been successful in creating new ways to make the program more accessible, including increasing the
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International students posing with props for a themed photo op during the farewell party on May 2.
number of students that participate in the exchange. “ Five years ago, we didn’t have that many partnerships,” said Bullard. “Now we have them
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all over the globe, so all those partnerships translate into us being able to send our students abroad.”
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Some students had the privilege to study abroad for two semesters. By doing so, students were better immersed into the culture. Yuta Nakamura, senior Japanese International Exchange student, spent one year at Cal State LA and said that the program has helped him expand his critical thinking and allowed him to explore a different culture: “People can understand the country through the people. Cal State LA was my first choice because of the diversity of people from all over the world who are here in LA. There’s so many different languages and ideas that it makes you think differently. Senior communications major Josue Lopez traveled to Colombia last summer. He had the privilege of being in four different cities and attended soccer games in the capital, Bogota.
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study abroad program is that it is very expensive and only available to those who can afford it. However, Bullard specified that the program is more accessible because students can use their financial aid to pay for the international tuition. Furthermore, students pay their University tuition, which covers the cost of studying overseas.
Jefa de Redacción: Claudia Landeros Editores:
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Eduardo Ramos Consejero de la Facultad: Pablo Baler
Lopez believes that everyone should study abroad because it allows students to understand culture: “Study Abroad changed my life. My biggest passion is soccer and I went two to games in two different cities and two different environments.” The International Study Abroad program will continue to provide services for both local and international students. For those who are interested in the program, information is available at the University-Student Union (USU).
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University Times
May 7, 2018
TEMAS DE INTERÉS
Lucrativo el tráfico del pez totoaba SOBRE CALIFORNIA
Una nueva medida para atrapar criminales
Crédito de fotografía: Josh and Kaldari. https://commons.wikimedia.org
condicional y de aquellos que cometan delitos que se consideran graves, para que aunque estén fuera de la cárcel se tenga un control de ellos y así, darles más seguridad a los ciudadanos.
Activistas intentan llevar a la boleta electoral un método para proteger a los ciudadanos de los delincuentes Por Yeraldín Estrada El asesino en serie Joseph James DeAngelo de 72 años, también conocido como “Golden state killer” fue arrestado el pasado martes 24 de abril en Citrus Heights, al norte de California. Este hombre, en los años 70 fue el responsable de 12 asesinatos y 45 violaciones. Había sido un fugitivo de la justicia por más de 40 años. Su arresto se logró gracias a los bancos de ADN almacenados en internet. Las autoridades compararon el ADN del criminal con las bases de datos “online” de perfiles genéticos. Este logro le ha dado a la justicia un nuevo método para encontrar a los criminales. Muchos activistas intentan agregar la propuesta a la boleta electoral para este próximo noviembre, para que no solo este asesino serial sino muchos más sean arrestados. Los activistas esperan que los votantes apoyen la propuesta de ley para recolectar muestras de ADN de los criminales que se encuentran en libertad
El caso de Joseph James DeAngelo ha generado un gran logro para todos aquellos que buscan leyes más eficaces ya que han reunido alrededor de 500,000 firmas, cantidad que necesitaban para llevar a las boletas electorales en noviembre, la propuesta “Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2018” (Ley para reducir crimen y mantener a California segura 2018). Este proyecto de ley busca obtener el ADN de crímenes relacionados con las drogas, robo y violencia doméstica. En todo caso que sea considerado como “crimen violento”, el sospechoso tendrá que pasar por el mismo proceso que el caso de DeAngelo. Los defensores de esta medida aseguran que este método reducirá considerablemente la violencia que se vive todos los días. El ex asambleísta Mike Gatto, a quien un delincuente le asesinara a su padre en el año 2013, dijo durante una conferencia de prensa que apoya la propuesta, “permitir la recolección de muestras de ADN de gente convicta de crímenes leves bien definidos que han demostrado ser indicadores de crímenes más serios como asesinato y violación.”
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Por su alto valor lo consideran “la cocaína del mar” Por Claudia Landeros El totoaba, un pez que tiene su hábitat en las costas mexicanas y que está en peligro de extinción, ha despuntado su valor en el mercado negro, que supera incluso el valor de la cocaína. Es un pez de gran tamaño, puede llegar a medir hasta 7 pies (2.1 metros) y vive solamente en el Golfo de California, o mar de Cortés y en las costas del océano Pacífico, como Sonora y Baja California. Pero su valor no radica en su tamaño, lo capturan solamente para quitarle la vejiga, (o buche, como se le conoce en México) que tiene un valor en el mercado negro de entre $20,000 a $60,000 dólares por kilo por sus supuestas propiedades afrodisiacas, curativas y rejuvenecedoras. Varios países asiáticos son los que más trafican con la vejiga de totoaba, o “cocaína del mar” como se le conoce actualmente. El comercio ilegal a China comenzó desde hace más de medio siglo, y fue creciendo tanto la demanda por las vejigas que empezó a ser controlado también por los cárteles de la droga. La captura de totoabas está prohibida desde 1975, pero a partir del 2012 se incrementó su popularidad en el mercado chino, lo que multiplicó la pesca descontrolada de este pez. La vejiga se puede almacenar seca o con sal por varios meses, y muchos vendedores optan por guardarla esperando que haya escases para sacarla al mercado a un precio mucho mayor. El tráfico de la víscera de totoaba se ha convertido en un negocio excesivamente lucrativo, porque genera mucho dinero, hay poco
Venta de vejigas de totoaba en Asia. Crédito de fotografía: Haosmwkmn. https://commons.wikimedia.org
control sobre su tráfico y las penalidades por su contrabando no son tan graves, comparadas con las consecuencias de traficar con cocaína verdadera. Recientemente fue detenido un hombre asiático que viajaba en una aerolínea china, por llevar en su equipaje, nada más que 416 vejigas de totoaba. Fue arrestado, decomisado el producto y salió en libertad condicional tras pagar una multa de $600.00. Uno de los grandes golpes que han dado las autoridades a los contrabandistas hace unos meses en la ciudad de Tijuana, fue el decomiso de 60 kilos, equivalente a 104 vejigas.
La gran demanda de las vejigas ha puesto en alarma a las autoridades. Se ha convertido en una veta que está siendo explotada sin reparar en las consecuencias. El totoaba es un pez que está en peligro de extinción, y lamentablemente, no solo es esta especie la amenazada, con las redes que los capturan se están llevando también a otro pez, la baquita marina. Este es un pez más pequeño que está casi por extinguirse debido a la pesca ilícita del totoaba. Según las autoridades, se estima que solo quedan 30 ejemplares de esta especie.
NOTICIAS INTERNACIONALES
Muere el último dictador de Bolivia Su gobierno también fue acusado de delitos de narcotráfico Por Eduardo Ramos En la madrugada del pasado domingo 29 de abril, murió a los 88 años de edad el exgobernante de facto de Bolivia, Luis García Meza. El ultimo dictador boliviano cumplía una sentencia de 30 años sin derecho a indulto, por delitos de lesa humanidad cometidos durante su tiempo en el poder. Sus últimos años, sin embargo, los pasó en un hospital militar en La Paz por problemas de salud. En julio de 1980, justo cuando
Bolivia intentaba regresar a la democracia después de 16 años de dictadura, la entonces presidenta boliviana Lidia Gueiler fue depuesta de tal cargo tras un golpe militar encabezado por García Meza. El exjefe militar del ejército boliviano gobernó el país entre 1980 y 1981, tiempo durante el que estableció un régimen agresivo en la nación sudamericana. Sumadas a las de su gobierno, se estima que las víctimas totales de las dictaduras latinoamericanas en las décadas de los 70s y 80s se cuentan desde varios cientos hasta 60.000. Además de las muertes y desapariciones de ciudadanos bolivianos, su gobierno se vio implicado en la muerte de 23 italianos como resultado del denominado Plan Cóndor. Este fue un plan encabezado por el dictador chileno Augusto
Pinochet y su objetivo era la represión de opositores a los gobiernos militares de Sudamérica. Luego de más de un año en el poder, García Meza se exilió, pero en 1995 fue extraditado desde Brasil para ser juzgado en Bolivia. Años más tarde, en enero de 2017, la justicia italiana dictó cadena perpetua a ocho militares y civiles de Perú, Bolivia, Chile y Uruguay, la cual el dictador debía cumplir después de que cumpliera su actual sentencia en 2025. De acuerdo con la Agencia Boliviana de Información, que cita medios locales, Meza sufrió tres infartos y no pudo ser reanimado en el hospital militar al que fue ingresado por la noche. De acuerdo con el reporte médico, Meza Murió “por posible paro respiratorio” a las 3 de la madrugada.
5 CAMPUS NEWS University Times
May 7, 2018
Surviving Finals 101 This time of year can be stressful for students as they struggle to find motivation, time and energy during finals week to finish strong. Here are some helpful tips to keep you thriving during finals week.
By: Yamani Wallace Contributing Writer
Time Management
Personal Breaks
Eat Healthy
Treat yourself!
Some students find it easier to get through assignments with a strictly set schedule to abide by. Prioritizing tasks will benefit your time management, allowing for more important tasks to be finished first.
Reading page after page, writing assignment after assignment can be exhausting. Take a personal break and step away from the computer for a short amount of time. Enjoy some fresh air, take a walk or even watch an episode from your favorite series. To keep yourself alert, focused and sane, make sure that you take time for yourself.
It’s difficult to study and eat a well-balanced meal because time is often limited. Loading up on fat and sugar can drain you of the energy you need to study. A small treat once in a while won’t hurt, but make sure you fill up on fruits and veggies to fuel you for long-term energy.
Don’t forget to reward yourself when finals are over! Make plans with friends for after finals so you have something to look forward to. If you’d rather watch Netflix and chill on your own, make sure you have a quiet and homeworkfree zone to do so!
Cal State LA finals are approaching soon, so please take advantage of the time you have now to prepare yourself. Students should also stock up on scantrons and number two pencils; scantrons are available in the University-Studio Union (U-SU) for free. Good luck Golden Eagles!
Live at the University: Wednesday’s Hope but will also take a look at the journey that brought the band together. Notably, the band has only been playing together for about a year, but this is the second incarnation of the group.
Students in the Television and Film department present Wednesdays Hope, a contemporary art video installation.
Sarah Pena, the event coordinator for the class, is excited to see the event come together:
Cristian VelezRodriguez Contributing Writer
“It’s been a challenging experience–especially coordinating. We’ve spent a lot of time shooting and editing, but it’s so satisfying to see all our hard work come together.”
Last Friday at the University-Student Union (U-SU) Plaza, students in the Television, Film, and Media studies 4400 course, debut their end of semester project “Wednesday’s Hope”. The class will be showcasing a video installation featuring the indie band Wednesday’s Hope.
Those interested can visit stop by this Friday at the U-SU Plaza main stage for some fun, free food and live music. The class will showcase a short video on Wednesday’s Hope, followed by a live performance from the band. The installation begins at 1:00 p.m. and will be playing until 3:30 p.m., with the band’s set starts at 1:30 p.m.
In their class, students have been working on multiple projects throughout the semester, including “The Audition”, which is an experimental documentary. In the 4400 is a course students analyze NonCommercial Broadcasting and Film. Specifically, the class looks at historical, social, political and technological forces that have contributed to the evolution of documentary. Throughout the semester, students watch and analyze films inspired by the French New Wave and Dogma 95, which are both influential
Cristian Velez-Rodriguez
A video installation featuring indie band Wednesday's Hope focusing on their music presented by TVF 4400.
movements in the history of cinema. Professor Roberto Oregel described the goal of “The Audition”: “Our goal was to capture the experience of the audition for both the actor and filmmaker. The audition is the movie,” said Oregel. “The whole film was casted, filmed and edited by the class.” For their final project, the class will put on a video installation documenting Wednesday’s Hope. “The goal for the students is
to look outside the box and use techniques they usually don’t see in film,” said Professor Roberto Oregel. Beyond his musical endeavors, Lead singer Eloy Torrez is popular in the Los Angeles Art scene; notably his work includes murals throughout L.A. including: Portrait of Hollywood at Hollywood High School, and The Pope of Broadway at the Victor Clothing Company Building in Los Angeles. “I love creating and producing music. I love the artistic side of it, finding the story,” said Torrez.
The video installation will focus on the band’s music,
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May 7, 2018
University Times
NATIONAL NEWS
Student Decodes Ancient Record System Harvard undergrad student decodes a previously indecipherable Inca record keeping system.
National Geographic noted that khipus were used for keeping inventory of agriculture, writing letters and storing history and biographies. The khipus are a clue to understanding Inca culture; however, researchers have struggled with finding meaning among the knots.
Adriana Sanchez Contributing Writer Prior to the colonization of the Americas in the 16th century, the Incan Empire ruled one of the largest empires known to man. Spanning across the western side of South America, the Inca territory included over 10 million people speaking a variety of languages. Since its fall as a result of Spanish disease spreading throughout the Incas, most of the culture’s history is only known from Spanish storytelling. Much of the empire’s history has been lost in translation until now. During his freshman year at Harvard University, MexicanAmerican student Manny Medrano made a shocking
Medrano, on the other hand, had a knack for puzzles and took it upon himself to take a jab at the puzzle. Using a Spanish census from the same period as the khipu, he found that the strings coordinated to the social status of numerous individuals and that the color of the strings tied to those people’s names.
Harvard University
Harvard student Manny Medrano deciphers the meaning of knots, giving Inca's a voice.
discovery by decoding a previously indecipherable 17th century Inca record keeping system.
Medrano found that rather than developing a written language system, the Incas
stored their information with khipus—sets of cord strung with knots. Each knot has a different meaning.
This discovery has been the first crack at discovering the code and Medrano hopes that the information he has found will help decipher other khipus and expose Inca culture. As the result of Medrano’s work, he will be published in the Journal of Ethnohistory.
7 LOCAL NEWS Alcohol Lands Two LAPD officers in Custody
May 7, 2018
University Times
An LAPD supervisor was arrested in Glendale on suspicion of driving under the influence.
words, the suspect will literally get a citation. It’s the same procedure for all misdemeanor arrests that require a booking.” Whilst a criminal investigation into the incident is being carried out by Glendale PD, a parallel personnel investigation is being conducted by the LAPD. Tony Im, an LAPD representative, spoke to the University Times:
Jordan Hansen Contributing Writer
“Pending an investigation, both officers have been assigned to home,” said the LAPD representative.
An off-duty Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Sergeant was arrested early Friday morning, April 27, after a Glendale Police Officer found the Sergeant (Sgt.) asleep at the wheel of a car. The passenger in the vehicle, an LAPD Commander, was detained on suspicion of being drunk in public. Sgt. James Kelly, 46, now faces two misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or greater, according to Glendale Police Department’s arrest records. No further legal action is being taken against 47-yearold LAPD Commander Nicole Mehringer, but both Officers have been placed on restricted duties. The incident took place on the corner of Brand Blvd. and Lomita Ave. at 1:37 a.m., when a Glendale Officer came across Sgt. Kelly’s vehicle while on routine patrol. “There was an Officer who
However, the LAPD representative did not speculate how long the investigation may take nor what the possible outcome could be.
@Zohreen
LAPD Commander Nicole Mehringer.
was driving his car on Brand,” said Glendale PD Sergeant Dan Suttles. “The Officer saw Sgt. Kelly’s car was resting up against a parked car. There appeared to be no damage, so the Officer got out to investigate and that’s when he saw that the vehicle was occupied by two people.” After calling for backup, the Glendale Officer attempted to wake the sleeping occupants but was unable to do so. “Officers actually had to call a tow-truck driver who was able to overcome the locking
mechanisms and get into the car,” said Sgt. Suttles. “Once the Officers were able to get into the car, the occupants woke up.” Once it became apparent that the occupants were possibly intoxicated, Glendale Officers administered a field sobriety test on Sgt. Kelly, which he failed and was then arrested. Although Commander Mehringer had not been driving the vehicle, she was also placed in custody. “Commander Mehringer was taken in because she
@Zohreen
LAPD Sergaent James Kelly.
basically didn’t have anywhere to go; what we call drunk in public,” Sgt. Suttles explained. “We wouldn’t treat the Officers any differently to anyone else. All of our drunk in publics, we bring them in, we book them.” Both Officers were later released from custody after being given several hours to sober up. Sgt. Kelly’s bail was set at $5,000, although as Sgt. Suttles explained, this did not have to be paid: “What we do, specifically on misdemeanor cases, is to ‘fight them out’. In other
“We have to send Sgt. Kelly’s blood to be worked on by the Los Angeles Crime Lab,” said Sgt. Suttles. “The blood takes a long time to come back. We’re talking anywhere from five to six months, maybe sometimes even longer. We’re not going to file the case until we get the blood work back, so the court date is probably not going to be anytime in the near future.” The incident is sure to be a source of embarrassment for the LAPD, as Sgt. Kelly and Commander Mehringer become the third and fourth LAPD officers to be arrested in one week. According to the LA Times, another LAPD Officer is charged with transporting illegal immigrants, whilst yet another is charged with fraud.
Contamination in Boyle Heights Remains Unresolved Local residents are dealing with lead contamination three years after a Exide Plant shuts down. Melorie Cruz Contributing Writer The Exide Technologies Battery Recycling Plant in Vernon closed three years ago for emitting toxic substances into the air, ground, water supply and on highways. As a result, thousands of homes were left with leadcontaminated soil. Three years following the shutdown of the Recycling Plant, only 270 properties have been cleaned– thousands of properties remain unclean to this day. In March 2015, the company signed an agreement with the U.S Attorney’s office to permanently close on
the condition that every Exide employee would avoid prosecution for years of environmental crimes including illegal storage and disposal of hazardous waste. Exide also agreed to pay $50 million to destroy and clean the plant, as well as remove lead-contamination from homes. According to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control data, high levels of lead-contaminations continue to exist in communities including Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles. Jesus Juarez, a resident who lives between the border of Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles, where the majority of lead-contamination is visible, received a visitation from the city five months ago for a soil testing in his front yard. He said the results were positive and was told that Exide would come back to remove the soil from his front yard, but he has not heard from them since.
Though he’s aware that the Recycling Plant in Vernon has caused damage to multiple properties, his main concern comes from a chroming company called Brite Plating Co. that is located a few blocks away from his house. He blames the company as to why Boyle Heights is so contaminated: “If the city is going to clean my yard, they have to first get rid of that chroming company that’s polluting and damaging our homes and health because what is the point of cleaning my yard if it’s going to be contaminated again with the toxic chemicals that the chroming company releases”. In the meantime, officials activated a program to clean the most high-risk properties while they find a new contractor. To this day, only 28 properties have been cleaned since August 2017
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University Times
May 7, 2018
SPORTS
LAFC Claims the L.A. Throne Los Angeles Football Club celebrates its inaugural season with a new stadium and big dreams. Mike Nelson Staff Reporter
“We are not a suburban team. We are not a beach team. We’re brick and mortar. We’re Downtown L.A.”
Los Angeles finally has their own soccer team: Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC). Yes, the Los Angeles Galaxy have been here for 22 years, but they have never played within the LA City limits. LAFC’s home games will be played at Banc of California Stadium in Exposition Park.; it doesn’t get much more L.A than that. The team played their first home game at the 22,000 seat soccer stadium on April 29, defeating the Seattle Sounders 1-0 with a last minute freekick goal from LAFC Capitan Laurent Ciman. Tom Penn, the President of LAFC, recently spoke to the LA Times: “We are not a suburban team. We are not a beach team. We’re brick and mortar. We’re Downtown L.A.” The Banc of California Stadium was built where the iconic Los Angeles Sports Arena once stood. MLS Commissioner Dan Garber spoke to the Los Angeles Times about the site: “We had our sights on the Sports Arena for four or five years before we even contemplated LAFC.” LAFC’s existence was a result of the Major League Soccer (MLS) purchase of the recently bankrupt Chivas USA Football Club from Jorge Vergara in 2014. When Chivas USA was acquired by the league, it was to be kept in the local area, but lacked an investor. Peter Guber CEO of Mandalay Entertainment became that investor. Guber, also part owner of the LA Dodgers and Golden State Warriors, spoke to the LA Times about the risk he took
Luis Sinco
LAFC at the Stubhub Center on the field with the LA Galaxy team.
with his investment: “When you look at LAFC there was nothing there. There wasn’t even a hole in the ground. The vision was ‘build it and they will come’.”
The fans have done just that; LAFC have sold out 17,500 season tickets, the maximum amount allowed by MLS regulations. In-part, LAFC’s ownership
consists of famous athletes including: Mia Hamm, Nomar Garciaparra and Magic Johnson. Self-help author Tony Robbins and comedianactor Will Ferrell are also part of the ownership group that
includes over 20 people. For LAFC, they have a team, investors and their own stadium; the only thing missing is a championship.