Report: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena suing UCLA for allegedly attempting to move home games to SoFi Stadium

The city of Pasadena, California, and the Rose Bowl Operating Company are suing UCLA for allegedly attempting to move its home games from the iconic venue to the much newer SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, per the Los Angeles Times. UCLA has played its home games at the Rose Bowl since 1982.

“This lawsuit arises in an era when money too often eclipses meaning and the pursuit of profit threatens to erase the very traditions that breathe life into institutions,” the suit claims, per the Associated Press. “Some commitments are too fundamental to be traded away.”

UCLA’s lease with the Rose Bowl reportedly runs through 2044. SoFi Stadium is one of two stadiums used by two NFL teams: the Los Angeles Chargers and the LA Rams.

Per the Los Angeles Times, Pasadena officials say taxpayers have invested more than $150 million in Rose Bowl renovations. On Thursday, UCLA vice chancellor for strategic communications Mary Osako responded to the Los Angeles Times‘ report.

“While we continue to evaluate the long-term arrangement for UCLA Football home games, no
decision has been made,” Osako wrote, per Ben Bolch.

The lawsuit reportedly claims that if UCLA leaves the Rose Bowl for SoFi Stadium, city residents could suffer up to a billion dollars in monetary damages. UCLA has had four home games at the Rose Bowl this season. The team has averaged 35,253 fans during those games.

If that number persists throughout the season, it’ll be an all-time low for the program. In fairness to fans, UCLA has had a tumultuous season thus far.

After UCLA suffered a 35-10 loss to New Mexico to fall to 0-3 on the season, the school fired head coach DeShaun Foster. Foster was in his second season as the team’s head coach.

He posted a 5-10 record during his short tenure at the helm of the Bruins. The school owed Foster a buyout worth over $5 million. While Foster’s firing was a setback for the team, UCLA rallied through the adversity.

In its first game under interim coach Tim Skipper, UCLA fell 17-14 to Northwestern. However, the Bruins won their next three games, including a victory over Penn State, which ultimately contributed to the school’s decision to fire head coach James Franklin.

On Saturday, UCLA suffered a blowout 56-6 loss against Indiana. Nonetheless, the Bruins have given their fans plenty to be excited about moving forward.

UCLA has a bye this weekend, but will return on Nov. 8 for a showdown against Nebraska inside the Rose Bowl. Perhaps the Bruins will see an uptick in attendance due to their recent success.