$27bn NFL owner at war with city over ‘ambush’ that allegedly threatens his $5.5bn World Cup stadium

Stan Kroenke’s $400 million lawsuit against the city of Inglewood, California has emerged back into the headlines.

The billionaire owner of NFL franchise Los Angeles Rams had been embroiled in a legal battle with the city over billboards.

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Yes, billboards.

In particular, their placement in and around the billion-dollar SoFi Stadium – which also hosts the Los Angeles Chargers – something that Inglewood approved, but Kroenke and his companies fought to push back on.

Inglewood had approved a deal with WOW Media to install 60 digital billboards around Hollywood Park – a 300-acre site – with an agreement in place for the city to shared the revenue generated from the advertising.

But, Kroenke – who also owns the NBA‘s Denver Nuggets and English Premier League club Arsenal, among others, was having none of it.

His legal team argued that this deal violated a development agreement from 2015 that barred billboards near the SoFi complex, and would undercut exclusive sponsorships and enable “ambush marketing”.

“The city has pulled the rug out from under Hollywood Park,” his lawyers wrote.

But Inglewood Mayor James Butts argued back, stating: “We have every right to use public land for what we want to do.

“I don’t see any legal arguments that would give them control over what we do on city land.”

Kroenke and co ultimately lost that particular battle in court.

However, the dispute between Kroenke – whose net worth is estimated at almost $27 billion – and the city has since significantly escalated.

In a recent filing, as explained by Bloomberg.com, the billionaire owner now claims that Inglewood owes him nearly $400 million.

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The lawsuit argues that this comes from money spent on roads, infrastructure upgrades, sewer systems and ongoing police and fire protection tied to the $5.5 billion sports and entertainment complex.

The 70,000 capacity SoFi Stadium is one of the chosen venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

It is set to host five group-stage matches, two Round of 32 ties and a quarter-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, though for the tournament, it will be known as Los Angeles Stadium.

It will not host the final, though, due to it being considered ‘too narrow’.

The complex at what is known as Hollywood Park also includes the YouTube Theater, along with a plethora of office, retail space and residential buildings.

It also neighbors the $2 billion newly-erected Intuit Dome – home of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team – which was developed by emeritus Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer.

But Inglewood has since issued a blunt to Kroenke’s lawsuit, stating on Friday that, “Billionaires are not above the law.”

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From the city’s perspective, the most recent claims are less about reimbursement, but more about establishing control and testing authority.

Kroenke was responsible for relocating – albeit controversially – the Rams back to LA from St. Louis, which they called home from 1995-2015.

This move ended with a $790 million settlement with the NFL after years of litigation, with the Rams moving into SoFi Stadium following its completion in 2020.

They would go on to win the franchise’s first Super Bowl trophy since 2000, and only their second in history, in 2022, which was hosted at SoFi.

After bring victory and celebration to the city, the franchise owner is now in a fight with the city of Inglewood and one that does not appear to be ending any time soon.

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