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Pasadena Sues UCLA Over Potential Stadium Switch
22 Nov, 2025
Summary
- UCLA faces a lawsuit from Pasadena over a potential move to SoFi Stadium.
- The city claims UCLA's departure would harm the Rose Bowl and its finances.
- UCLA's current contract binds them to the Rose Bowl until 2044.
A legal battle has erupted between the city of Pasadena and the University of California, Los Angeles (U.C.L.A.) over the university's potential relocation from the Rose Bowl to SoFi Stadium. Pasadena claims U.C.L.A. has been secretly planning this move, which would financially cripple the city, which owns the Rose Bowl and invested heavily in its refurbishment with a commitment from U.C.L.A. until 2044.
While U.C.L.A. states no decision has been finalized, behind-the-scenes communications suggest otherwise, creating a painful public spectacle. This situation highlights growing financial challenges in collegiate sports, with U.C.L.A.'s athletic department facing significant annual shortfalls, partly due to the lack of an on-campus stadium and revenue from premium seating.
The dispute has deeply divided U.C.L.A. alumni and the community, with some lamenting the potential loss of a historic partnership and others seeing the move as a positive step for recruiting and financial stability. The Rose Bowl, a century-old landmark, risks losing its primary tenant, impacting local businesses and the city's identity.
