The city of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl operator have filed a lawsuit against UCLA to enforce a contract that requires the university to host football games at the Rose Bowl through 2044. The complaint, lodged in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claims UCLA intends to abandon the Rose Bowl and shift its home games to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, which they describe as a serious breach of trust. Pasadena officials noted that taxpayers have invested over $150 million in stadium renovations.
The suit emphasizes the longstanding commitment between UCLA and Pasadena, arguing that UCLA’s recent decision contradicts previous assurances. UCLA’s Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications stated that no long-term decisions have been made regarding the football venue. UCLA’s attorney has denied any breach of the agreement and characterized their evaluations as financially responsible.
The lawsuit seeks a court order requiring UCLA to comply with the lease, cautioning that moving games could result in damages exceeding $1 billion for Pasadena. Attendance issues have become a concern, with the Bruins facing historically low numbers at the Rose Bowl, prompting some worry about fan engagement with a stadium located 42 miles from campus.
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