The Los Angeles Chargers have significantly upgraded their content creation capabilities with the launch of "The Bolt," a new content studio located within their El Segundo headquarters. This impressive 1,300-square-foot space boasts 465 square feet of LED displays and 1,712 linear feet of customizable LED lighting, providing a cutting-edge environment for post-production work.
Fred Maas of the Los Angeles Chargers emphasized the studio's potential, stating, “As we continue to look for innovative ways to connect with our fans, partners and, given our location, the entertainment industry as a whole, we believe The Bolt provides endless possibilities both for growth as a business and growth as a football team.” The studio represents a major improvement for the Chargers' content team, who previously lacked dedicated production facilities. Since relocating from San Diego in 2017, the team operated without a permanent space, constantly setting up and dismantling temporary sets.
The design of The Bolt incorporates elements of Los Angeles culture and Chargers history. Wall displays showcase the city skyline, palm trees, and images of beloved fans and former players, including Hall of Famers Dan Fouts, LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Lance Alworth, Kellen Winslow, and Charlie Joyner. Unlike traditional broadcast facilities, The Bolt avoids fixed desk positions and permanent camera setups, offering greater flexibility. The Chargers utilize Arri cameras, Sachtler tripods and heads, and SmallHD monitors, supporting up to 10 cameras simultaneously, though it lacks a dedicated control room for live production.
The strategic placement of The Bolt above the team's weight room and adjacent to the practice fields enhances player accessibility for content creation. Several companies partnered on this project, including Jack Morton for studio design, IDF Studio Scenery for scenic fabrication, and Samsung for LED technology. NEP Sweetwater handled AV integration, and The Lighting Design Group oversaw lighting systems and design. The Bolt is part of the Chargers’ new $250 million practice facility, which opened in July 2024 and includes three natural grass practice fields on a 14-acre site. This investment places the Chargers among other NFL and professional sports teams embracing dedicated content studios for digital and broadcast production.