Kevin Demoff’s journey to becoming chief operating officer of the Los Angeles Rams is a fascinating tale of passion, risk-taking, and resilience. From his early days surrounded by sports, through his pivotal career decisions, to his current role in transforming the Rams, Demoff’s narrative is packed with valuable insights and lessons. Here are some of the most engaging highlights from the interview.
EARLY PASSION FOR SPORTS
Demoff’s love for sports began at a remarkably young age. Unlike many kids who learned to read with children’s books, Demoff taught himself to read by poring over box scores in the newspaper. This early obsession with sports statistics was a precursor to his lifelong involvement in the sports industry.
His family’s deep-rooted connection to sports further fueled his passion. His father, an athlete representative, and their regular attendance at UCLA basketball games, created an environment where sports were a constant presence.
“Sports were always ingrained everywhere in our world from a pretty early age, and you just kind of fall in love with it,” Demoff says.
Like many kids, Demoff harbored dreams of becoming a professional athlete. Inspired by the 1984 Olympics, he even declared his ambition to be the first person to win Olympic medals in two sports. However, as reality set in, he shifted his aspirations.
“When you’re 7, you think you actually can be a good athlete. Then you realize, you know, genetics probably aren’t going to put you into any sport,” he says with a laugh.
This realization didn’t deter him from pursuing a career in sports, though. He transitioned his focus from being an athlete to other roles within the sports industry, including a stint as a high school and college sports broadcaster.
Saint Louis Rams players practice at Russell Training Center at Earth City in St. Louis, MO.
A PIVOTAL CAREER DECISION
Demoff’s career took a significant turn when he decided to leave a stable job in Tampa to join the Rams in 2009. At that time, the Rams were struggling both on and off the field.
“The job was terrible,” Demoff says. “The team had gone 2 and 14 in 2008. They got 3 and 13 in 2007. It was likely to be sold.” Despite the risks, he saw potential in the challenge and decided to take the leap.
This decision exemplifies Demoff’s belief in taking risks and embracing opportunities outside one’s comfort zone.
“Take the bad job. Take the risk,” he says. “If you want safe and steady, it’s probably not going to happen.”
One of the most significant and controversial chapters in Demoff’s career was overseeing the Rams’ move from St. Louis back to Los Angeles. This move was fraught with challenges, including legal battles and community backlash. However, Demoff and his team saw it as an opportunity to revitalize the franchise.
“If you can turn that team around, then you can really punch your ticket in and do anything,” he says.
The move culminated in the construction of the state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium, a project that he describes as an immense yet rewarding challenge.
“We were fortunate this team doesn’t move back to L.A. sans Stan,” he says, referring to Rams owner Stan Kroenke’s pivotal role in the development.
Demoff has big plans for the future of the St. Louis Rams
BUILDING A LEGACY
Looking ahead, Demoff is focused on cementing the Rams’ legacy in Los Angeles and making SoFi Stadium a world-renowned sports venue. He aims for the Rams to be mentioned in the same breath as iconic franchises like the Lakers and the Dodgers.
“I want to be one of the 10 biggest sports brands in the world,” Demoff says.
He also emphasizes the importance of mentorship and developing future leaders within the organization.
“Growing the talent within the building … seeing those people grow,” is a key part of his mission moving forward, he says.
Demoff’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability. His advice to those pursuing their dreams is twofold: embrace risks and remain patient.
“Don’t plan your next step because it is almost inevitable what you think is your next step is not your next step,” he says. Instead, focus on gaining meaningful experiences and be prepared to seize unexpected opportunities.
Demoff’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and strategic risk-taking. From a young boy reading box scores to a top executive leading an NFL team, his journey offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to make their mark in their chosen field. As he continues to guide the Rams toward greater heights, Demoff remains a beacon of inspiration for aspiring sports professionals everywhere
CEO & Founder Erik Huberman launched Hawke Media in 2014. Now valued at over $150 million, Hawke Media is the fastest growing marketing consultancy agency in the United States.
