Billboard Insider has written before about the Inglewood legal dispute. We talked about the case with out of home legal expert Ron Camhi, who is a Partner and head of the Advertising and Digital Media Group at Michelman Robinson
Ron, How did you get involved with the out-of-home industry?
My practice initially focused on commercial real estate. In the early 1990s, I had the opportunity to represent Western International Media—then one of the largest media buying and management companies, which later became part of Initiative Media—as its outside general counsel. A significant portion of that work involved out-of-home advertising, and it opened the door to an industry that has remained a core part of my practice ever since.
I was at the forefront of many of the large wallscape projects that are now commonplace on the Sunset Strip and in Times Square, and I was among the first attorneys in the country to handle digital billboard transactions. Today, my practice spans both commercial real estate and media law, a combination that’s particularly valuable in the digital out-of-home (DOOH) industry. I represent digital media companies, marketers, property owners, consultancies, and industry organizations in connection with transactions, development agreements, and commercial disputes.
What did the Los Angeles Superior Court decide in the Inglewood case?
The court upheld the City’s authority to enter into its agreement with WOW Media and declined to invalidate the City’s approval of the digital billboard program. In that respect, the City prevailed on the public-law issues before the court.
The ruling, however, did not resolve the separate contractual disputes between the City and the owners of Hollywood Park, SoFi Stadium, Intuit Dome, and the Forum. Those claims—which concern whether the City breached obligations under earlier development agreements—remain pending before another department of the Los Angeles Superior Court.
That distinction is significant. The court addressed only whether the City had the legal authority to approve the WOW Media agreement; it did not decide whether the City’s actions were inconsistent with contractual commitments it had previously made to other parties. Those issues remain to be litigated.
What are the implications for out-of-home advertising companies?
The case underscores just how valuable digital out-of-home assets have become, particularly around major sports and entertainment districts. The area surrounding SoFi Stadium, Intuit Dome, the Forum, and Hollywood Park is one of the country’s premier entertainment destinations. With NFL and NBA games, concerts, the FIFA World Cup, the upcoming Olympic Games, and year-round events drawing millions of visitors, the advertising inventory surrounding those venues is extraordinarily valuable.
More broadly, the dispute reflects a trend we’re seeing nationwide. Municipalities increasingly view digital signage as infrastructure that can generate recurring public revenue while supporting emergency communications, traffic information, and other public services. At the same time, developers and venue operators recognize that control of the surrounding advertising environment is a significant commercial asset.
From a legal perspective, one of the biggest takeaways is the importance of careful drafting. Development agreements, leases, operating agreements, and municipal approvals should clearly address advertising rights, exclusivity, future digital inventory, revenue sharing, and how future municipal actions may affect those rights.
Having represented clients across the out-of-home industry for many years, I’ve seen digital out-of-home evolve into far more than a traditional advertising medium. As cities continue to monetize public assets and invest in smart infrastructure, experienced media companies will play an increasingly important role in delivering both economic value and public benefit.
You can reach Ron Camhi at 310-299-5500, rcamhi@mrllp.com
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