Rose Bowl sues UCLA to enforce stadium lease

**Rose Bowl Sues UCLA Over Potential SoFi Stadium Move, Citing Long-Term Lease Agreement**

**PASADENA, CA** – The historic Rose Bowl Operating Company (RBOC) has filed a lawsuit against the University of California Regents, which oversees UCLA, seeking to block the university’s potential relocation of its home football games from Pasadena to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The suit, filed Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Los Angeles Superior Court, centers on a long-term lease agreement that RBOC asserts legally binds UCLA to the Rose Bowl through 2044.

The legal action comes amidst growing speculation that UCLA is exploring alternative venues, a move that could have profound financial implications for the iconic 102-year-old stadium.

According to court documents, the Rose Bowl’s lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment confirming the validity and enforceability of the 2007 lease extension. This agreement, signed 17 years ago, committed UCLA to play at the Rose Bowl for 30 years, extending their residency through the 2044 season. Crucially, the lease includes an “evergreen” clause, stipulating automatic five-year renewals unless either party provides 18 months’ notice to opt out. The RBOC’s filing essentially asks a judge to affirm that this contract remains fully in effect and to prevent any premature relocation by the Bruins.

The dispute escalated following comments made by UCLA Athletic Director Martin Jarmond in February 2024. Jarmond publicly stated that the university was “evaluating all our options” for its football team’s home venue, emphasizing the need to be “fiscally prudent” in an evolving collegiate sports landscape. These remarks, coming on the heels of UCLA’s upcoming move to the Big Ten Conference in 2024, signaled a serious reevaluation of their long-standing partnership with the Rose Bowl.

From the Rose Bowl’s perspective, the potential departure of UCLA represents a significant threat to its financial stability and operational calendar. UCLA reportedly pays approximately $2.5 million annually to play at the venue, and their home games constitute a substantial portion—roughly 60%—of the stadium’s yearly operating events. The RBOC recently completed a massive $200 million renovation project aimed at modernizing facilities and enhancing the fan experience, making the loss of its primary tenant a particularly bitter pill.

The Rose Bowl has been the Bruins’ home field since 1982, fostering a deep historical connection between the university and the Pasadena landmark, which has also hosted five Super Bowls, numerous BCS/CFP National Championship games, and the annual Rose Bowl Game.

UCLA has previously played a single game at SoFi Stadium, a one-off contest against Coastal Carolina in 2023 due to field conditions at the Rose Bowl. However, the current lawsuit aims to prevent a permanent move to the state-of-the-art Inglewood facility, home to the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, for the remainder of the lease term.

While UCLA has not publicly detailed the specific financial advantages of a move to SoFi, industry observers suggest potential benefits could include revenue-sharing opportunities from premium seating and concessions, modern amenities appealing to recruits and fans, and a potentially more intimate game-day atmosphere given SoFi’s slightly smaller capacity (70,240 vs. the Rose Bowl’s approximately 90,000 for football). UCLA has long faced challenges with attendance at the Rose Bowl, particularly for non-conference or less-attractive Pac-12 matchups.

The lawsuit initiates what could be a protracted legal battle, forcing a judicial interpretation of the existing lease and its evergreen clause. The outcome will not only determine where the Bruins play their home games for the next two decades but also set a precedent for long-term venue agreements in collegiate athletics. The University of California Regents have yet to issue a public statement regarding the lawsuit.