UCLA Sued Over Rose Bowl Football Relocation

Pasadena, Rose Bowl Sue UCLA Over Alleged Attempt to Move Football Games to SoFi Stadium

The City of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Operating Company (RBOC) have filed a lawsuit against the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), alleging the university is attempting to breach its long-standing contract and move its home football games from the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The legal action, initially reported by the Los Angeles Times, seeks to prevent the move and protect the financial and historical ties between the university and the legendary venue.

Filed recently in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the lawsuit claims that UCLA has been actively exploring and negotiating a potential relocation of its home games to SoFi Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility opened in 2020 that currently hosts the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. The Rose Bowl, a National Historic Landmark often called “The Granddaddy of Them All,” has served as UCLA’s home field since 1982 under an exclusive agreement that the plaintiffs contend legally binds the university to the Pasadena venue.

For Pasadena, the potential departure of UCLA represents a significant financial and cultural blow. The university’s presence brings millions of dollars annually in direct revenue to the RBOC, as well as substantial economic activity to the city through gameday attendance, tourism, and ancillary spending. The lawsuit underscores the city’s commitment to upholding the contractual agreement and safeguarding the future of college football at one of the sport’s most hallowed grounds.

“The Rose Bowl is not just a stadium; it is a vital part of Pasadena’s identity and a historical cornerstone of college football,” said a representative for the City of Pasadena, speaking anonymously due to ongoing litigation. “UCLA has been a valued partner for over 40 years, and we fully expect them to honor their contractual obligations to this legendary venue and our community.”

While UCLA has not publicly commented on the lawsuit or its alleged intentions to move, speculation points to several potential motivations for considering SoFi Stadium. The Inglewood venue offers modern amenities, luxurious suites, and a more contemporary fan experience compared to the nearly 100-year-old Rose Bowl. Its location closer to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and central Los Angeles could also be seen as an advantage for fan accessibility and recruiting. Furthermore, UCLA’s impending move to the Big Ten Conference in 2024 could be a factor, as the university may be re-evaluating its operational and revenue strategies in light of increased travel and a new conference landscape.

The core of the lawsuit revolves around the long-term license agreement between UCLA and the RBOC. While specific terms of the contract’s expiration date were not immediately disclosed, the plaintiffs assert that UCLA is obligated to play its home games exclusively at the Rose Bowl for the foreseeable future. The lawsuit alleges breach of contract, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and potentially tortious interference, seeking both injunctive relief to prevent the move and monetary damages for any harm caused by UCLA’s alleged actions.

The Rose Bowl, which opened in 1922, is famed for hosting the annual Rose Bowl Game, a pivotal fixture in college football history, and has been home to the UCLA Bruins football program since 1982, following their move from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The stadium has also hosted five Super Bowls, numerous FIFA World Cup matches, Olympic events, and major concerts, cementing its status as a premier sports and entertainment venue.

The lawsuit sets the stage for a potentially protracted legal battle between the two long-time partners. The outcome will have significant implications not only for UCLA’s football program and the Rose Bowl’s financial stability but also for the broader landscape of college sports venue agreements in Southern California. UCLA is expected to file a response to the lawsuit in the coming weeks.