LVAA e-Alert (July 3, 2015)
NFL Seeks Pasadena Temporary Rose Bowl Use Proposal
NFL Seeks Pasadena Temporary Rose Bowl Use Proposal
The Linda Vista-Annandale Association (LVAA) wants you to know the following:
The National Football League (NFL) has sent a non-binding Request For Proposals (RFP) dated June 25, 2015, to Pasadena for one or two NFL teams to use the Rose Bowl on a temporary basis beginning as soon as 2016 (pending completion of a new Los Angeles-based NFL stadium). The RFP was sent to the Rose Bowl, the Coliseum, and, maybe, Dodger Stadium, with a response deadline of August 5, 2015, so that, apparently, Proposals can be considered during the upcoming NFL special mid-August Owners’ meeting. The NFL states that it will respond to Proposals shortly after August 5, and that the NFL currently plans to finalize any binding agreement(s) this fall.
LVAA successfully pursued release of the RFP to the public. (See below.) The RFP is also available on the Rose Bowl Operating Company website at www.rosebowlstadium.com.
The National Football League (NFL) has sent a non-binding Request For Proposals (RFP) dated June 25, 2015, to Pasadena for one or two NFL teams to use the Rose Bowl on a temporary basis beginning as soon as 2016 (pending completion of a new Los Angeles-based NFL stadium). The RFP was sent to the Rose Bowl, the Coliseum, and, maybe, Dodger Stadium, with a response deadline of August 5, 2015, so that, apparently, Proposals can be considered during the upcoming NFL special mid-August Owners’ meeting. The NFL states that it will respond to Proposals shortly after August 5, and that the NFL currently plans to finalize any binding agreement(s) this fall.
LVAA successfully pursued release of the RFP to the public. (See below.) The RFP is also available on the Rose Bowl Operating Company website at www.rosebowlstadium.com.

nfl-la-rfp-memorandum-final.pdf | |
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What NFL teams are interested in relocating to Los Angeles and could be candidates for temporary Rose Bowl use? From press reports, there are three teams: the San Diego Chargers, the Oakland Raiders, and the St. Louis Rams.
This NFL initiative raises many questions which are not answerable at this point:
LVAA will continue to keep you informed regarding the NFL in the Rose Bowl situation.
This NFL initiative raises many questions which are not answerable at this point:
- Will the City prepare and send a Proposal to the NFL at all?
- Will the City pursue one or two teams?
- Will the City propose NFL use of the Rose Bowl for up to five years?
- How will UCLA respond to this situation? UCLA has a veto over any new user of the Rose Bowl such as the NFL.
- How will the Tournament of Roses react? The Tournament has exclusive use of a significant area in the Central Arroyo during December and into January each year.
- What does AEG think? AEG is currently promoting the Music and Arts Festival, including spending money and time on such matters as a Festival Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in process.
- Does the City plan to stick to its commitment to the community that only the NFL or a Music Festival will occur in any one calendar year?
- Most importantly, will there be some sort of public hearing or meeting on Pasadena’s Proposal to the NFL so that the community can be heard?
- Will there be a Rose Bowl Operating Company (RBOC) and/or a City Council public vote on Pasadena’s Proposal? Typically, this sort of “deal” -- binding or non-binding -- is treated as a Real Estate “Price and Terms” matter, which qualifies for Closed Session review and decision at both the RBOC and the City Council. The idea is that confidentiality is essential to such negotiations, particularly if a competing Proposal is an issue. It is quite possible, unless there is a public outcry, that Pasadena’s non-binding (for now) Proposal, which will set the stage for future detailed, binding negotiations and agreement with the NFL, will be prepared and sent off to the NFL without any public review.
- What is the status of the lawsuit that LVAA and others filed challenging the legality of the NFL EIR? So far, we have been unsuccessful, but we are considering a further Appeal to the California Supreme Court.
LVAA will continue to keep you informed regarding the NFL in the Rose Bowl situation.