Overview
- A Los Angeles Superior Court judge, James C. Chalfant, denied a temporary restraining order sought by Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Operating Co., finding no immediate emergency.
- Chalfant indicated specific performance could be available upon proof of breach and encouraged the plaintiffs to seek discovery into UCLA’s talks with SoFi Stadium and to file for a preliminary injunction.
- Pasadena’s lawsuit claims UCLA’s lease to play at the Rose Bowl runs through 2044 and expressly bars early termination, arguing monetary damages would be inadequate.
- UCLA has publicly said it is evaluating options and has made no final decision, while multiple outlets have reported the school is exploring a move to SoFi as soon as next season.
- Reporting outlines financial trade-offs: UCLA does not pay rent at the Rose Bowl and does not receive suite or stadium-sponsorship revenue there, and critics cite lower attendance at a 2023 UCLA game at SoFi compared with recent Rose Bowl crowds.