New court documents have revealed just how close UCLA came to leaving the historic Rose Bowl for the glitz and glamour of SoFi Stadium—and a single text message shows the move seemed all but certain.
According to filings in the Rose Bowl's ongoing lawsuit against UCLA, the Bruins' departure to the state-of-the-art home of the Rams and Chargers was imminent before the school suddenly reversed course. The documents include a revealing text exchange between Kevin Demoff, president of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, and Stephen Agostini, then UCLA's vice chancellor and CFO.
Last August, as UCLA kicked off its football season against Utah at the Rose Bowl, Demoff texted Agostini: "Good luck tonight, next year at SoFi!" The message suggests the move was considered a done deal behind closed doors.
Agostini, who was a key architect of the proposed relocation, was fired in February after university officials alleged he made inaccurate statements about campus debt. Later that same month, UCLA committed to staying at the Rose Bowl through the 2026 season—a dramatic pivot that left many wondering what changed.
The text exchange was included in the Rose Bowl's legal response to a UCLA motion that could further delay the court case. Attorneys for the Rose Bowl Operating Company and the City of Pasadena are now seeking reimbursement for legal fees, calling the maneuver unnecessary stalling. Both sides are scheduled to meet in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday morning.
In recent weeks, representatives have reportedly engaged in discussions aimed at reaching a resolution that would satisfy all parties and end the contentious legal battle that began last October. At the heart of the dispute was UCLA's desire to tap into new revenue streams through favorable lease terms at SoFi Stadium and a mixed-use real estate development project—opportunities that the iconic Rose Bowl, for all its tradition, simply couldn't match.
For now, the Bruins remain in Pasadena, but these newly uncovered texts paint a picture of a program that was literally one message away from calling a different stadium home.