Retiring Rose Bowl CEO Darryl Dunn Joins Justin Chapman’s ‘NewsRap Local’ TV Show for Exit Interview

Pasadena Media’s award-nominated local news talk show “NewsRap Local with Justin Chapman” continues this Friday at 5 p.m. with featured guest Darryl Dunn, the long-time CEO and general manager of the Rose Bowl Stadium who recently announced his retirement effective June 30.

“As the Rose Bowl celebrates its centennial this year, challenges lay ahead for America’s Stadium,” said host Justin Chapman, a Pasadena-based journalist who writes for Pasadena Now.

“Darryl Dunn has navigated the stadium through countless challenges over the past quarter century, so as he prepares to pass the baton, we’ll ask him how the stadium can weather the economic impacts of the pandemic while competing against other large-scale event venues in the Southern California market, all while striking the right balance between ‘displacement’ events and the surrounding residential neighborhoods.”

Dunn has served as the CEO and general manager of the Rose Bowl Stadium since 1999. He is responsible for managing all aspects of the facility, including contract negotiations with prospective events, ongoing relationships with existing tenants and all financial, marketing and operational needs for the stadium. He is extensively involved in long range planning for the facility and spearheaded the planning and execution of a $183 million renovation for the historic facility beginning in 2011. Prior to the Rose Bowl, Darryl worked for the LA Lakers, LA Raiders, LA Clippers and the 1994 World Cup Organizing Committee.

“NewsRap Local” launched one year ago this month and airs on the third Friday of every month on Pasadena Media’s Arroyo Channel and streaming apps, available on channel 99 on AT&T U-verse, channel 32 on Charter Spectrum, YouTube, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Roku.

In each episode, Chapman provides analysis on local news, presents a “lightning round” of the month’s top stories and interviews a special guest or hosts a panel for a deep dive into an important issue facing the community. It is the only TV talk show that focuses exclusively on Pasadena news and politics.

“NewsRap Local” is written by Chapman, directed by Joshua Morales, produced by Chapman and Aaron Wheeler and executive produced by George Falardeau, CEO and executive director of Pasadena Media.

Previous guests on “NewsRap Local” included Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, director of the Pasadena Public Health Department; Rick Cole, former mayor of Pasadena and current executive director of the Congress for the New Urbanism; Congress member Judy Chu (D-27); Congress member Adam Schiff (D-28); interim Pasadena city manager Cynthia Kurtz; Assemblyman Chris Holden (D-41); and many others.

“This is must-watch television each month for everyone who cares about this city,” Falardeau said.

Chapman is also the writer, host, producer and editor of the show “Well Read with Justin Chapman,” which also airs on Pasadena Media’s Arroyo Channel and streaming apps. In October, he placed 2nd in the Hard News category and 3rd in the Obituary category at the LA Press Club’s 63rd annual Southern California Journalism Awards.

Chapman was the youngest elected official in LA County when he served on the Altadena Town Council at age 19. He has written hundreds of articles for two dozen print and digital publications, including KPCC/LAist, Alta Journal, Huffington Post, LA Weekly, Berkeley Political Review, Pasadena Weekly, Pasadena Now and many others.

“Join me on the third Friday of every month at 5 p.m. for my analysis of Pasadena news and politics and to hear directly from community movers and shakers,” Chapman said.

Learn more at justindouglaschapman.com and pasadenamedia.org.