Fighting Mad Over Inglewood: Money, Prestige, and Power

There was a time when Inglewood was dismissed—a city marginalized, overlooked, and written off by those in high towers and ivory offices. But those days are long gone. Today, Inglewood is a jewel of the South Bay, a city reborn through vision, courage, and unapologetic Black and Brown leadership. And that’s exactly why billionaire interests like Stan Kroenke are now fighting mad.

Kroenke, the billionaire behind SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, has launched a lawsuit against the City of Inglewood—not because the city broke the law, but because it broke tradition. Mayor James T. Butts, Jr. and his administration secured a 40-year agreement that ensures a perpetual flow of revenue directly into Public Safety, infrastructure renewal (streets, sidewalks, water systems, and trees maintenance), child and senior recreation programs and other programs for the residents of Inglewood. That kind of financial foresight in a 92% Black and Brown city is unheard of and a political earthquake. It has some folks shaking in their boots.

Let that sink in.

What is it that really bothers the billionaires and their media mouthpieces? The answer is clear: Black and Brown people taking their seat at the table of economic development without approval. How dare they?

Kroenke’s legal team, based in the towers of Downtown Los Angeles (not Inglewood), is now trying to block Inglewood’s leadership from continuing to exercise the City’s right to economic self-determination.  Simply put, this lawsuit seeks to stop the City of Inglewood from moving forward with a deal that directly benefits its citizens.  There are costs to Inglewood associated with hosting 400 entertainment events and 5 million visitors annually at the venues.  Massively increased wear and tear on the roadways with increased and more frequent costs of maintenance, and the need to have a competitively paid police force to increase and maintain staffing for starters. The pattern is familiar. When big developers win, they call it innovation. But when a Black and Brown-led city wins for its people, they send in the lawyers.

Let’s be honest—this lawsuit isn’t about fairness. It’s about control. Kroenke’s team is furious because they weren’t at the center of the financial deal. They didn’t write the terms. They didn’t call the shots. And now they’re trying to reverse the playbook with courtroom tactics and backdoor power moves.

Even Stevie Wonder could see what’s going on here. The billionaires are mad because they didn’t get their way in a city they once overlooked. But now that Inglewood is booming—thanks to fiscal discipline, negotiation strength, and a people-first agenda—they want a piece of the pie. But this time, the pie is being served to the people it was made for: Inglewood residents.

The Southern Truth was there from the beginning. We remember when Kroenke broke ground with fanfare, handshakes, and happy press. But now that Inglewood is no longer dependent on outside validation or handouts—now that it is thriving on its own terms—the smiles have turned to lawsuits.

But the message from Inglewood is unwavering: This city is not for sale.

We stand with Mayor Butts because his leadership is bold, unapologetic, and rooted in results. He turned a city once tagged as “crime ridden, poor and gang-infested” into a destination of choice. From new housing, job creation, and youth programs to stadiums, infrastructure, and cultural revival—he’s shown what Black and Brown leadership looks like when as the government operates like a corporation and unapologetically and fearlessly does the business of the people.

And yet, as he rightly pointed out, the stories the media should be running—the ones about the Inglewood miracle—are buried under narratives of controversy; for example the dangers of gentrification. No heralding or celebrating a city rising from the ashes of near bankruptcy, Junk Bond level Bond ratings and a 17.5% unemployment rate.  Inglewood now has an A+ bond rating and unemployment rate that fluctuates from 4.7% to 5%. This is not a coincidence. It’s coded bias. And it’s up to us to correct the record.

There are billionaires and power players trying to control the City’s right to self-determination.  It is imperative for the City to continue to fight for the residents.  To those that think that using lawyers to control Inglewood; take note; you may have deep pockets and legal muscle, but what you don’t have is the will of the people. And that is something no lawsuit can buy.

This is a new day in Inglewood. And the people are wide awake.

So let it be known, from Market Street to SoFi, from Darby Park to Century Boulevard: Inglewood is rising, and the people are not backing down. This is our city. This is our story. And we’re not handing over the pen.

Inglewood will not sit down and be quiet and do as it’s told. The Phoenix has risen from the ashes.  The City is a miracle in motion—and it’s staying that way.