UCLA Seeks to Halt Depositions as Pasadena Cites Extensive SoFi Discussions in Stadium Dispute

The UC Regents are asking a judge to quash deposition notices issued by the Rose Bowl Operating Committee and to halt all discovery until the court hears UCLA’s motion to compel arbitration in January, according to filings in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

In papers submitted Tuesday, attorneys for the Regents said the RBOC on Nov. 25 noticed depositions for UCLA Athletic Director Martin Jarmond; Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer Stephen Agostini; and Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Revenue Officer Daniel Cruz. Discussions between the parties failed to resolve the dispute, prompting the Regents’ request for a protective order.

“The court should quash plaintiffs’ deposition notices and issue a protective order prohibiting the depositions because this case belongs in arbitration,” the Regents argue, saying that allowing discovery before a ruling on arbitration “would interfere” with any future arbitral proceeding.

They further contend that Pasadena and the RBOC would gain an unfair advantage by obtaining information “they would not be entitled to in arbitration.”

A hearing on the Regents’ request for a stay is set for Jan. 8, followed by a Jan. 22 hearing on the motion to compel arbitration.

The underlying lawsuit, filed Oct. 29, alleges UCLA is exploring relocating its home football games from the Rose Bowl to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood despite a lease agreement that runs through 2044.

Pasadena’s filings describe what the City characterizes as months of undisclosed talks between UCLA and SoFi representatives, including proposed seating configurations, revenue-sharing models and discussions tying a UCLA relocation to development plans within Hollywood Park, a massive mixed-use project being built around the stadium.

Rose Bowl General Manager Jens Weiden said in a declaration that he was told “multiple discussions and meetings” occurred and that an announcement was being “actively developed.” The filing names SoFi Stadium and Rams executive Kevin Demoff and notes that developer Stan Kroenke and his entities have since been added to the lawsuit.

Weiden said he first became aware of UCLA’s intent to explore a move after a UCLA athletics employee raised concern about switching to the university’s preferred ticket vendor “only for UCLA Football to ultimately leave.” He later met with Agostini in early February, where Agostini said UCLA was “weighing its options” regarding the Rose Bowl — a position Weiden described as unexpected given ongoing renovations and the long-term agreement.

A planned tour of the stadium with UCLA officials was never scheduled despite multiple attempts, he said.

The declaration says the uncertainty has affected season-ticket renewals, donor pledges and multi-year sponsorship negotiations that depend on UCLA anchoring the stadium calendar. Pasadena and the RBOC sent UCLA a notice-of-breach letter on March 11, stating that even “preliminary” discussions about leaving the Rose Bowl constitute a violation of the operating agreement. UCLA denied any breach in a written response but agreed to meet in person.

UCLA has played its home games at the Rose Bowl since 1982.