Kevin Demoff wears many hats as the president of team and media operations for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.  

The KSE executive oversees the Avalanche, Nuggets and Rapids, in addition to his longtime role as team president of the Los Angeles Rams. Among his crowning achievements in pro sports is overseeing the development of Hollywood Park — a 298-acre sports and entertainment district in Inglewood, Calif., that includes SoFi Stadium — as the NFL home to the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers. 

The Broncos (1-1) travel to face the Chargers (2-0) on Sunday. Demoff recently discussed five years of NFL games at SoFi Stadium, unique design features, stadium seat licenses, the Broncos’ upcoming stadium project and more in a Denver Gazette exclusive interview.  

The Denver Gazette: How do you reflect on SoFi Stadium eclipsing five years since it first opened in 2020? 

Kevin Demoff: “When I was walking through the stadium-opening weekend, it was hard for me to believe it’s been five years at SoFi stadium with fans. And it’s the start of our 10th season in L.A. The stadium still amazes me every time I walk into it. Especially when you open the season with fans for the first time in nine months. You just see how the building comes to life, and it’s the dream everybody has when they pick a site, start to do designs with the architect, and imagine what the future of their franchise could look like in a new home.” 

DG: Why does SoFi Stadium not have a retractable roof? 

Demoff: “When we started the design process, Stan (Kroenke’s) vision or edict was that this had to be not only the world’s greatest stadium, but it had to be capable of hosting every sports and entertainment event under the sun. Whether that meant Super Bowls or the Olympics or the World Cup. But also, the Grammy’s, the Academy Awards and any number of other shows that come to Los Angeles. But the one thing that we were very clear on — given the weather in Southern California — we did not want a retractable roof that would always be open for games. … HKS (architects and designers) came up with the concept of what is basically a 22-acre patio. We have an amazing, fixed roof that is translucent, that brings in natural light, while actually retaining some of the solar heat to cool down the stadium underneath. But also, there are no walls in our stadium. It is a completely open-air building with a roof. That’s why we liken it more to a patio than to anything else.” 

DG: What was the fan reaction over “stadium seat licenses” for season ticket holders? 

Demoff: “Nearly every stadium built over the last 25 yards has had some kind of seat license component to it. Whether it was 100% privately financed, or 100% publicly financed. I think fans come to understand the benefits of seat licenses at the stadium. For example, at SoFi Stadium, it gives you first access to every concert that comes in. First access to Super Bowl tickets. First access to World Cup and Olympic tickets. There’s a huge value that comes to a seat license aside from just getting season tickets. … Any fan base is always going to have a little bit of a knee-jerk reaction to the concept of seat licenses. That’s been true in every NFL city over the past three decades. But what I think is most important is that these are commonplace vehicles in the NFL, and quite frankly, now in many arenas to help fund construction and they provide benefits way beyond the team, and ultimately, they’re part of an experience that is going to be dramatically upgraded for your fans in a new building.” 

DG: How do you characterize the growth of Hollywood Park as an entertainment district? 

Demoff: “When you drive on site this weekend, you’ll see the Kali Hotel, which is kind of rising up on the lake next to the stadium, and should be ready for the Super Bowl in 2027. … We have two apartment buildings, which are 100% leased. A number of retail stores have popped up. NFL Network is right next door to our stadium. The first pieces of Hollywood Park are really coming to life, and it has sparked development around it. The Intuit Dome is now across the street from Hollywood Park. So, Inglewood is a completely transformed city as a result of Stan’s investment, and the face of Hollywood Park will continue to change for decades to come.” 

DG: What’s your reaction to the Broncos’ plan to build a new stadium for the 2031 NFL season? 

Demoff: “To see the excitement around the Broncos this year and since their ownership (change) is amazing. I think the stadium is the next step to helping transform an already amazing franchise. I think it’s a great credit to Greg (Penner) and Carrie (Walton Penner) that everything they said they would do, they’ve done. And more importantly, how quickly they’re able to execute on a vision. Whether it’s a training facility, now a stadium, and certainly a competitive team. It’s been spectacular to watch. I feel fortunate to be in the NFC. As you see the Broncos as a growing power, and we would prefer them to stay that way, and we’ll see them every four years. Or maybe, in the Super Bowl. … Between their project, what’s been contemplated by the NWSL and what Rob (Cohen) and his team are looking at, along with Ball Arena and River Mile — and what’s being contemplated in Commerce City for the Rapids — it’s truly a great time to be a sports fan in Denver between the success of the teams, the projects on the horizon and truly the growth of this city.” 

DG: What is your outlook for the Avalanche and Nuggets this season? 

Demoff: “The Avs starting training camp (this week) is an exciting time. Just watching Jared (Bednar’s) press conference, watching the players talk about their excitement and hunger coming off last year, I think it has the potential to be a great season for the Avs. But like all of these teams — whether it’s the Avs, Nuggets, Rams or the Rapids — you’ve got to translate excitement and optimism into realism. … Working alongside Joe (Sakic) and Chris (MacFarland) and Jared (Bednar), this is a deep team. An exciting team and one that is very hungry. Most importantly for the Avs, this time last year the team was banged up and there were so many question marks coming into the year: Could you survive the fall? This team seems to be skating into the new year in really good spirits. 

“I would say, conversely, the same is true for the Nuggets. The excitement around the team. Kind of watching them practice together all offseason, the amazing work that David (Adelman), Jon (Wallace) and Ben (Tenzer) did helped transform this roster into probably the deepest Nuggets team certainly in a few years. It has fans and all of us optimistic. I view it the same way I do with the Rams and a 2-0 start. These teams all have great potential, and we’ll see where the season takes it. But it’s always fun to walk into any season … and thinking your team has a real shot. Certainly, the Avs and the Nuggets are those teams that (we) consider having a real shot. I don’t want to shortchange the Rapids, either. … I think they have a chance to make some noise as well.”