Energy

The soul of L.A. sports culture lives on the corner of Washington and Arlington. Debate if you must; it’s no Staples Center or even the Forum (R.I.P.) or the L.A. Coliseum. But take a quick detour off the ’Shaw the next time you cruise Mid-City, and you’ll know the real deal when you see it. L.A. sports culture has its own distinct “aura,” to quote Benjamin, which beams down the block and around the way. It’s not easy to summon the spirits that watch over the City of Champions. And yet, that’s exactly what the mural on the side of the clothing store Soul on Ice does. Bean, Bo, Bron, Candace (before she left for Chicago), Fernando, Serena, Kawhi — they’re all there. So is the wiry Snoop in high white tube socks and Chucks, and Nipsey Hussle in a Dr. Sebi tee and a blood-red Crenshaw hat.

When you think of L.A. sports, what’s the first word that comes to mind? Many — Lakers fans, in particular — would say “winning.” But sports are more universal than a final score. The talking heads on certain networks may disagree. The ravines might even open on their extensive foreheads in disapproval. Let them go on with the transactions, numbers and innuendo. Their takes don’t count on the court. Ask someone who plays — someone who pays attention from within — and they’ll tell you: “It’s the energy for me.”

Image Issue 6 is dedicated to what moves us. “Energy” is inspired by the people who make the sports culture and style in L.A. what it is — the fans in the nosebleeds, the players, the merch bootleggers, the teams, your Uncle Tony the boxing promoter, the cousins who used to be the plug at the Forum, and everyone in between. It is said that sports are increasingly about “agency” and “individuals”; sports are tools for something bigger — more than a game, the saying goes. We couldn’t agree more ... well, kind of. “Something bigger” isn’t a platform or a salary. In L.A., “something bigger” simply means we all have a role to play.

Sports are communal. We all share the same home turf. In this issue, the people about town show you the view from their side of the fence. Koreatown Run Club takes you out for a night on foot with the fam. Inspo gawd Angela Manuel-Davis gives you the pep talk that made her “church on wheels” beloved by everyone from Busy Philipps to Bey and Jay. Dodgers announcer Jaime Jarrín teaches you how to cheer that ball out of the park: “La pelota se va, se va, se va, y despídala con un beso!” And the women of UCLA gymnastics reveal the energy they’re on going into the season.

We’ll get out of your ear. But before we go, remember the teachings of Sidney Deane: “We can take ’em.” He’s not just giving you the “Win one for the Gipper” speech or strutting in his obvious greatness. He’s channeling something much deeper. His soul is moving him to play.

Ian F. Blair
Editor in Chief