Rose Bowl Sues UCLA Over Plans to Shift Games to SoFi Stadium
The City of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Operating Company have initiated legal action against UCLA. The lawsuit seeks to compel the university to comply with its contract, which guarantees that the Bruins’ football games will be held at the Rose Bowl until 2044.
Details of the Lawsuit
The legal complaint was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court. It targets both UCLA and the University of California Regents. The filing accuses UCLA of planning to abandon the Rose Bowl and move games to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Pasadena officials describe this shift as a significant breach of trust.
Financial Implications
- UCLA’s lease extends until June 30, 2044.
- Taxpayer contributions to stadium renovations exceed $150 million.
- An additional $130 million in bonds has been refinanced for ongoing improvements.
Pasadena officials argue that if UCLA relocates, the financial and cultural ramifications could be catastrophic, potentially exceeding a billion dollars in damages.
Reactions from UCLA
Mary Osako, UCLA’s Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications, stated that no final decision about the football game arrangements has been made. The university acknowledges ongoing evaluations concerning its long-term strategy but has not formally responded to the lawsuit.
In a previous communication, UCLA’s legal counsel indicated that preliminary discussions regarding the relocation do not breach the existing contract.
Legal Expert Insights
Russell Korobkin, a law professor at UCLA, notes that the lawsuit may be a precautionary step by the Rose Bowl to avoid a mere financial settlement. He suggested that the Rose Bowl is seeking a court order to enforce the existing lease rather than monetary compensation.
Korobkin also emphasizes that involving a public entity, such as the City of Pasadena, complicates the situation. The potential loss of the football program could impact local businesses and tax revenues, affecting many Pasadena residents.
Attendance Concerns
As discussions unfold, UCLA faces mounting challenges regarding attendance at the Rose Bowl. This season, the Bruins average only 35,253 fans per home game, marking a troubling trend.
- The team has recorded its lowest attendance figures over the past five years.
- 2024 attendance reached only 46,805, ranking 16th out of 18 in the Big Ten Conference.
With the future of Bruins football at stake, both the university and the city face critical decisions about their partnership and the historic Rose Bowl stadium.
