Hard Knocks: Los Angeles debuts on HBO August 11. There are five episodes and the season focuses on the Rams and the Chargers of the NFL. It is season 15 for Hard Knocks. 

“The Hard Knocks franchise continues to excel as the preeminent sports reality series,” said Peter Nelson, executive VP, HBO Sports. “Our partnership with NFL Films, which dates back to 1977, consistently produces groundbreaking television programming. We are grateful to the Chargers and Rams organizations to be able to present the 2020 training camp experience.”

Camera crews head to Southern California in the next few weeks to begin filming. Liev Schreiber narrates. 

The Rams made the Super Bowl in 2019. The Chargers had the AFC’s best record in 2018 and sustained an injury-plagued 2019 season.  

“NFL Films cherishes the relationship we’ve had with HBO for over four decades, and specifically with the Hard Knocks franchise since 2001,” said NFL Films senior executive Ross Ketover. “To be able to announce this extension as we embark on an unprecedented two team series this summer brings us incredible pride and only heightens our excitement for the return of football.”

Add stadium hunter to Disney chief Bob Iger’s long list of duties.

The Disney chairman and CEO has agreed to serve as non-executive chairman of Carson Holdings, a joint venture of the National Football League Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers to build a new stadium in Carson, Calif., about 15 miles  south of Los Angeles.

As non-executive chairman, Iger would be the project’s strategic leader, would select a president for Carson and would have the option of acquiring a minority ownership stake in either team. Iger has agreed not to exercise that option until he is no longer Disney chairman and CEO.

Iger will remain chairman and CEO of Disney and his agreement with Carson Holdings – a five-year stint at a salary of $1 per year with an automatic two-year renewal – stipulates that he will not be involved in any dealings that would conflict with his duties at Disney. Iger signed an extension to his Disney employment contract in October, making him chairman and CEO through June 30, 2018.   At that time, the Disney board would select a new CEO, most likely chief operating officer Thomas Staggs, named to that position in February, who appears to be Iger’s choice for a successor.

In February, the Raiders and Chargers proposed building a $1.7 billion stadium in Carson should they not get a stadium deal in their home markets. The Carson project is in competition with St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke’s $1.86 billion stadium proposal in nearby Inglewood.

The news of Iger’s appointment comes as the cities of Oakland, St. Louis and San Diego make their pitch at NFL headquarters in New York today [Nov. 11] to keep the teams in their respective areas.

"Should the owners approve the move, Los Angeles will proudly welcome two incredible teams to our community and build a stadium worthy of their fans," Iger said in a statement. "L.A. football fans will enjoy unprecedented access to games during the season, in a state of the art stadium designed to deliver the most entertaining, exciting and enjoyable experience possible."