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The city of Pasadena, California, and the Rose Bowl Operating Company are reportedly suing UCLA for allegedly trying to move its college football games from one of the sport’s most iconic stadiums to the much newer SoFi Stadium.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the suit claims the university is “profoundly” betraying its trust by attempting to move its home games from the facility the Bruins have called home for 43 years to the home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.
The Times reported that UCLA’s outside counsel, David L. Schrader, sent a letter to Pasadena attorney Nima Mohebbi in March, saying the school’s efforts to conduct “preliminary discussions” about moving games did not constitute a “material breach” of its contract.
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General view during the game between the California Golden Bears and the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on October 29, 2011, in Pasadena, California. (Harry Comment/Getty Images)
“This lawsuit comes at a time when money too often eclipses its meaning and the pursuit of profit threatens to erase the very traditions that give life to institutions,” the lawsuit claims. “Some commitments are too fundamental to abandon.”
“The City expects UCLA to honor the terms of the [lease] agreement, and the City Council will do everything in its power to protect and defend the City’s contractual rights,” the City of Pasadena said in a statement to ESPN on Thursday. “…The City of Pasadena and Rose Bowl Stadium, loyal partners of UCLA for more than four decades, are extremely disappointed in UCLA’s attempt to terminate the lease.”
UCLA has played in the Rose Bowl since 1982. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
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“The Rose Bowl has acted with transparency and integrity, not only meeting but exceeding its obligations under the lease agreement, investing significant time, effort and financial resources in the partnership with UCLA, including ongoing major renovations,” the statement continued. “The potential economic and reputational damage caused by UCLA’s attempt to break its lease is significant to Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena residents and the local and regional economy.”
UCLA’s current lease runs through 2044, but the stadium is 26 miles from campus, while SoFi Stadium, which opened in 2020, is about 19 miles away.
The Bruins (3-5, 3-2 Big Ten) have struggled in terms of attendance in recent years. UCLA’s average attendance for its four home games is approximately 35,000, while the stadium has a capacity of more than 89,000. SoFi Stadium’s capacity is about 20,000 fewer people.
In an aerial view, the Rose Bowl is seen as preparations are underway for the Rose BowlGame, December 27, 2023, in Pasadena, California. (David McNew/Getty Images)
The school left the Pac-12 for the Big Ten last year along with USC, Washington and Oregon.
Rose Bowl Stadium is best known for hosting the Rose Bowl since 1922, except for two years due to World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic.
