Pasadena sues to block UCLA's move to SoFi Stadium

The city of Pasadena is suing to block the reported move of UCLA football games from the Rose Bowl to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

The Bruins have played home games at the historic Rose Bowl venue since 1982 and have a lease that runs through 2044. However, Bruin Report Online reported Sunday that the school is finalizing plans to play at SoFi Stadium -- joint home of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and Chargers -- as soon as next season.

Pasadena officials applied for a temporary restraining order Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court to prevent UCLA from relocating, Front Office Sports confirmed.

A Pasadena spokesperson declined to comment on Monday's filing but referred to a previous statement issued after an initial lawsuit was filed on Oct. 29.

"The City of Pasadena took the unfortunate but necessary step of filing a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court to enforce a lease agreement between the Rose Bowl Stadium and UCLA," the statement said. "That lease agreement is unambiguous, explicitly stating there is no option for UCLA to terminate the lease prior to its expiration in 2044. Notwithstanding the clear language of the lease, a representative from UCLA has notified the City and the Rose Bowl of UCLA's intent to take steps that will breach the agreement."

UCLA does not pay rent at the Rose Bowl but also does not receive any revenue from the sales of luxury suite tickets and stadium sponsorships. The school presumably would seek both at SoFi Stadium, which opened in 2020.

The Bruins (3-6, 3-3 Big Ten) have averaged 37,098 fans at the 90,000-seat Rose Bowl this season, according to Front Office Sports. The Rose Bowl is 25 miles from campus, about twice as far as 70,000-seat SoFi Stadium.

--Field Level Media