The Los Angeles Chargers have officially opened the doors to their state-of-the-art content studio at The Bolt, their new headquarters in El Segundo, CA. After years of creating content on the move, the franchise’s creative and production teams now have a permanent, purpose-built space to meet the growing demand for innovative, high-quality content.
A Much-Needed Permanent Home
The move to Los Angeles in 2017 marked a new chapter for the Chargers, but the team faced logistical challenges without a dedicated studio. Producing content often meant building temporary sets at various locations, which proved both costly and inefficient.
“The growth we’ve experienced comes with a greater demand for content,” said Jason Lavine, SVP of Brand Creative & Content for the Chargers. “This new space helps us manage our overhead while enabling us to create more and better content.”
Studio Highlights: Tailored for Postproduction Excellence
The studio prioritizes postproduction workflows, focusing on flexibility and versatility rather than traditional live-broadcast setups. Key features include:
- No Fixed Camera Positions: The studio is equipped with 10 cameras and 465 sq. ft. of Samsung LED displays, allowing for a wide range of creative setups.
- Postproduction Emphasis: With no control room or permanent broadcast equipment in place, the studio is designed to enhance the team’s ability to produce polished, on-demand content.
- Future-Proof Design: While live production capabilities may be added later, the current setup ensures maximum flexibility for a variety of projects, from podcasts to promotional campaigns.
“95% of our content doesn’t touch the field,” Lavine explained. “We’re football-adjacent, using our players as storytellers for the brand.”
A Nod to California and Chargers Legacy
The studio’s design reflects the vibrancy of Los Angeles and the franchise’s storied history.
- California Inspiration: The space resembles an upscale coastal beach house, with wood finishes, views of cityscapes, and palm-tree motifs.
- Chargers Heritage: Walls showcase iconic moments and players like Dan Fouts, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Antonio Gates, alongside fan tributes and the team’s slogan, Bolt Up.
- Personal Touches: Shelves are lined with California-themed books, including Kelly Slater: A Life of Waves and Kobe Bryant’s The Mamba Mentality: How I Play.
“From our team and players to our city and fans, we wanted to make sure they were represented,” Lavine said.
Strategic Location and Collaborative Vision
The studio’s prime location on the top floor of The Bolt—just steps from the practice fields and weight room—encourages collaboration with players and ensures easy access for content shoots.
“This space isn’t only for us; we want it to be for our players, too,” Lavine emphasized.
Additionally, the studio will serve as a hub for local creators and influencers, with plans to rent the space for external projects, further integrating the Chargers into the creative fabric of Los Angeles.
Making It Happen: Key Partners
The project was made possible with contributions from industry leaders, including:
- Jack Morton Worldwide: Set design
- IDF Studio Scenery: Fabrication
- Lighting Design Group: Lighting systems
- Samsung: LED technology
- NEP Sweetwater: AV integration
Looking Ahead: Building on Momentum
The new studio is a testament to how far the Chargers’ creative efforts have come. The department has grown significantly since its humble beginnings, with team members like Brian Georgeson, who started as an intern, helping to shape the vision.
“Our infrastructure wasn’t ready for this seven years ago,” Lavine said. “We built this the right way. Our team deserves a studio like this.”
As the Chargers settle into their new creative home, they’re poised to deliver even more dynamic content for fans while embracing their role as a cornerstone of Los Angeles’ sports and media scene.
uture Ambitions for The Bolt Studio
The Chargers’ new content studio at The Bolt symbolizes more than just a physical space—it represents a commitment to innovation, storytelling, and community engagement. With the infrastructure now in place, the creative team can focus on scaling their efforts to elevate the team’s brand and connect with fans on a deeper level.
Expanding Creative Horizons
With the studio fully operational, the Chargers’ content team is already planning to explore new formats and creative opportunities, including:
- Enhanced Player Features: By offering a convenient, high-quality production space, the team aims to capture more intimate and personal stories from players, strengthening the emotional connection with fans.
- Collaborations With Influencers: The studio’s flexibility opens the door for partnerships with local creators, amplifying the Chargers’ presence in the broader cultural landscape of Los Angeles.
- Fan-Centric Content: With the ability to produce higher volumes of content, the team plans to experiment with interactive and fan-driven segments, giving supporters a voice and a direct role in the creative process.
- Brand Partnerships: The studio’s versatility makes it an ideal venue for branded content collaborations, potentially generating new revenue streams and expanding the team’s commercial partnerships.
A Vision for Live Capabilities
While the current emphasis is on postproduction, the team recognizes the potential for integrating live production capabilities in the future. Adding live-switching technology, graphics systems, and control room infrastructure could position the studio as a premier venue for real-time broadcasts, such as:
- Live Podcasts: Enhancing the production of the Chargers Weekly Podcast with live fan interactions.
- Press Conferences: Streaming announcements and updates directly to fans.
- Exclusive Game Day Content: Providing behind-the-scenes glimpses in real time during practices or game days.
“We’d like to be able to live-cut a podcast or live-stream certain events,” Lavine said. “These capabilities will enhance everything we do without compromising our focus on quality.”
A Home for Creativity in Los Angeles
The studio is also envisioned as a resource for the broader creative community in Los Angeles. By renting out the space to local filmmakers, content creators, and businesses, the Chargers aim to make The Bolt an iconic hub for creativity, blending sports, media, and culture.
“We hope this studio becomes a space where the city’s creative minds can gather and produce amazing work,” Lavine explained.
Legacy and Community Impact
For the Chargers, The Bolt and its new content studio represent more than just a facility—it’s a cornerstone of their identity as a Los Angeles institution. By investing in state-of-the-art technology and prioritizing storytelling, the team is setting a new standard for how sports organizations can engage with their communities.
“This studio isn’t just about the content we create,” Lavine concluded. “It’s about bringing people together—players, fans, and creators—and showcasing the best of what our team and city have to offer.”
Chargers’ Content Studio: A Bright Future Ahead
As the Chargers settle into their new creative home, they are poised to redefine what it means to be a forward-thinking NFL franchise. With The Bolt as a foundation, the team is set to amplify its voice, connect with fans on a deeper level, and make its mark as a cultural leader in Los Angeles. The journey has only just begun, and the possibilities are endless.
