The Los Angeles Rams will officially host the Kansas City Chiefs in Los Angeles on Nov. 19, rather than in Mexico City, the team announced Tuesday afternoon.
#KCvsLA will be moved from Mexico City to Los Angeles.
The game will still be played on Monday, November 19. More details to follow.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 13, 2018
This is the right move. The field at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City was torn up due to a Shakira concert, and players were threatening to not even play if the game had been contested in that stadium.
The league also shared a statement on the decision.
Chiefs-Rams game to move from Mexico City to Los Angeles due to field conditions pic.twitter.com/vWmpzS9lOr
— Michael Signora (@NFLfootballinfo) November 13, 2018
The NFL must be frustrated by the development, because international expansion is a huge part of commissioner Roger Goodell’s long-term plans. Additionally, it creates havoc for folks who purchased tickets and made travel arrangements, and all that will need to be sorted out.
However, player safety must be at the forefront of any decision. In this case, the league made the correct decision.