In Reply to: Regarding the Long Term Lease, do the math? posted by SMBruin on September 14, 2026 at 20:46:28
The Rose Bowl wasn't doing UCLA any favors in the deal, upgrades (arguably far more than what is already in the works), were desperately needed just to make it a moderately functional stadium, which falls far short of actually being a good stadium for watching most games at most times the team actually plays. It's not like the Rose Bowl had a ton of leverage, they have exactly ZERO other regular tenants, and it's schedule of additional events outside of the 6-7 UCLA home games and much diminished Rose Bowl game itself, have long been in steady decline as well.
The vast majority "improvements" they have made haven't been upgrades so much as they have been necessary infrastructural updates just to keep the stadium functional. Nothing done has had the effect of making it any better for watching a football game or done anything to inch the needle towards it ever providing anything resembling a legitimate home field advantage. It's an old stadium for old nostalgic fans to sit quietly in their seats on the shady side and reminisce about how wonderful it is. The main thing the Donahue Pavilion provided was a relatively modern press box so the stadium could continue to function as a stadium hosting press and television broadcasts. The other major component of the project was the addition of some premium seating, which again is something that is available a nearly every major sports venue in the entire world.
Pasadena is the landlord, why the hell should the UCLA as the lessee have been responsible for paying to have a press and broadcast booth that is actually capable of hosting a major event that is being broadcast live? Why should UCLA have been responsible for paying for the addition of some premium seating? If Pasadena had decided to actually renovate and modernize the stadium into 21st century football stadium, and if the Tournament of Roses hadn't been run by such a myopic band of self-lovers, the Rose Bowl would still be relevant and could have avoided being relegated to the bottom rungs of the playoff venue picture.
Characterizing the lease as UCLA have made out well is absurd. With the Rose Bowl, there is no cake to have or eat.