The Los Angeles Rams took out a full-page ad in Tuesday’s Los Angeles Times asking local employers to allow their employees to leave work early for “Thursday Night Football.”
The Rams took out a full-page ad in Tuesday's Los Angeles Times. It's a letter addressed to area employers, encouraging them to let employees leave work early Thursday for the game. https://t.co/EtE4l0Zfzx pic.twitter.com/aoBKFWN9AA
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) September 25, 2018
The ad is even signed by Rams head coach Sean McVay.
“Dear Los Angeles Employers,” the ad begins. “The national spotlight will be focused on LA this Thursday, September 27, when we host the Minnesota Vikings at 5:20 p.m. (Coach Wade’s typical bedtime.”
Coach Wade, however, disagrees.
L A newspaper says my bedtime is around 5:20 when the Thursday night game begins. NotTrue—I don’t think I hardly ever go to bed before 6pm.
— Wade Phillips (@sonofbum) September 25, 2018
The ad continues:
“Consider this memo a formal request for early dismissal on behalf of your employees. They’ll need time to change into their Rams gear, meet up with friends and grab a rally towel before kickoff.
“It’s going to take commitment, energy and enthusiasm — from all of us — for Los Angeles to shine on THURSDAY NIGHT.”
Given the traffic situation in Los Angeles every night, this is both a clever and practical way to make your case that you want fans to pack your stadium for a prime-time matchup on national television.