Renaming of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum criticized
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The University of Southern California’s sale of naming rights for Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is being criticized as dishonoring the historic stadium’s dedication as a memorial to soldiers who fought and died in World War I.
The stadium has played host to two Summer Olympics, two Super Bowls and one World Series.
USC announced last year that the stadium opened in 1923 will be renamed United Airlines Memorial Coliseum as part of a $270 million renovation of the facility.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn wrote in a newspaper column that replacing “Los Angeles” with a corporate sponsor insults the memories of those the Coliseum was intended to honor.
A city-county-state authority gave control of the stadium to USC in 2013.
Veterans groups plan to protest at Thursday’s meeting.
