Concerns Emerge Over UCLA’s Move from Rose Bowl

Recent court filings in the ongoing legal dispute between the Rose Bowl and UCLA shed light on how close the university was to moving its football operations to SoFi Stadium before abruptly shifting course.

In August, as UCLA kicked off its football season against Utah at the Rose Bowl, text messages were exchanged between Stephen Agostini, then the university’s vice chancellor, and Kevin Demoff, a senior executive with Kroenke Sports and Entertainment. These documents reveal that the potential move was indeed taking shape.

One notable message from Demoff wished Agostini “good luck tonight at SoFi next year!” Agostini, who played a key role in planning the move, was dismissed a few months later for making misleading statements concerning campus debt.

Following Agostini’s departure, UCLA announced its commitment to remain at the Rose Bowl through the 2026 season.

This text thread has emerged in the Rose Bowl’s legal response to UCLA’s recent motions, which they argue are merely delaying the matter further. The Rose Bowl’s legal team and the city of Pasadena are seeking compensation for their mounting legal expenses.

A court meeting is set for Tuesday morning in Los Angeles, making it a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict. Both sides have reportedly been in discussions recently, attempting to arrive at an agreement that could resolve the prolonged legal battle initiated in October when the Rose Bowl took legal action against UCLA over the proposed stadium switch.

The shift to SoFi Stadium had promised potential revenue opportunities through better lease terms and additional income from development projects nearby. Being a modern facility located much closer to campus than the historic 100-year-old Rose Bowl, it certainly had its advantages.

Currently, UCLA does not benefit from suite or stadium sponsorship revenues under its contract with the Rose Bowl, relying instead on a share of parking, concessions, and merchandise sales. However, it’s possible that a resolution could lead to improved lease conditions for the Bruins, who have a lease at the Rose Bowl running through 2043.

UCLA aims to generate income from new premium seats linked to a field-level club set to debut this season, indicating the university’s strategy to find alternative revenue sources amidst the ongoing tension.

There are indications that UCLA may have been actively searching for a new venue for its football games. For instance, a February 2025 exchange shows Agostini discussing plans for the athletics operations team to tour SoFi Stadium to explore options for the upcoming season.

Demoff’s reply was uncomplicated: “Yes, everything is fine.” Nonetheless, the plaintiffs’ attorneys argue that Rose Bowl management learned about ongoing discussions UCLA was having with SoFi executives concerning seating arrangements and revenue distribution schemes.

By October 2025, according to the plaintiffs’ claims, Jeffrey Mourad—who has connections to UCLA as a consultant—will reportedly inform the Rose Bowl executives that UCLA will no longer be playing at the stadium, despite assertions from the university that this is unlikely to happen.

The Rose Bowl subsequently filed a lawsuit citing breach of contract and implicated SoFi Stadium executives as co-defendants, accusing them of enticing UCLA to change venues. The legal team for the Rose Bowl has stated that losing the Bruins would result in “irreparable harm,” suggesting that financial compensation alone wouldn’t suffice for the affected area.