The Rose Bowl threw a gutter ball in court on Wednesday. But it has another ball to roll.
Via Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times, a judge denied a request for a temporary restraining order preventing UCLA from moving to SoFi Stadium despite a Rose Bowl lease that runs through 2044.
The judge found that there was no basis for emergency relief, because UCLA (after its November 22 home finale) isn’t due to host another game until the 2026 season.
The judge also suggested that the City of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Operating Company seek information from UCLA regarding any discussions with SoFi Stadium regarding a move. A motion for a preliminary injunction could then be filed before the 2026 season begins.
UCLA continues to insist that no decision to leave the Rose Bowl for SoFi Stadium has been made. It has never said it’s not considering relocation.
Continuing to hover over the litigation is the possibility that SoFi Stadium will receive a mandatory invitation to the party, based on the possible argument that the facility (owned by Rams owner Stan Kroenke) intentionally interfered with the Rose Bowl’s contractual relationship with UCLA.
As college football becomes a bigger and bigger business, it’s inevitable that there will be bigger and bigger legal battles.
In L.A., the litigation initiated by the Rose Bowl to compel UCLA to honor a contract that runs through the 2044 season has resulted in a motion for a temporary restraining order aimed at blocking the school from moving to SoFi Stadium.
Via Ira Gorawara of TheAthletic.com, the paperwork was filed on Monday. A hearing is set for Wednesday.
The City of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Operating Company argue that UCLA has “confirmed its imminent departure” from its long-time home. On Monday, the Los Angeles Times reported that UCLA could relocate to the home of the Rams and Chargers as soon as 2026.
The civil justice system creates two general types of relief. One, money can be sought for financial harm caused by a violation of legal rights. Two, a court order can be pursued to prevent someone from doing something (or to force someone to do something).
The process of requesting “equitable relief” includes a procedure for pressing the brakes while the case is pending. That’s what the Rose Bowl wants — to keep UCLA from leaving until the merits of the lawsuit can be resolved.
The standard is high. Various factors are considered. Is the harm that the plaintiffs will suffer “irreparable” by an eventual award of monetary damages? How strong is the case? (There are other factors, but those are the two biggest ones.)
Hovering over the dispute is the possibility that the owner of SoFi Stadium (Rams owner Stan Kroenke) will face potential liability for tortious interference with the contractual relationship between the Rose Bowl and UCLA. If there’s evidence that SoFi Stadium attempted to lure UCLA from the Rose Bowl despite knowing about the existing contract, the Rose Bowl could attempt to invade Kroenke’s ocean-deep pockets.
If that happens, it would be the second time Kroenke has faced litigation over the relocation of a team. The NFL eventually paid $790 million to St. Louis for the return of the Rams to Los Angeles. Kroenke could potentially write a big check regarding the apparent effort to relocate UCLA within the L.A. area.
Harrison Mevis will retain the kicking job for the Rams against the Seahawks this week, Sean McVay announced Monday.
The rookie was 6-for-6 on extra points in his NFL debut, though he has yet to attempt a field goal.
The Rams signed Mevis to the practice squad last week amid Joshua Karty’s struggles.
Karty missed two kicks in Week 9 and is 10-of-15 on field goals and 23-of-26 on extra points this season. Karty, though, remains on the active roster.
Mevis spent time with the Panthers and Jets in training camp the past two years, and he’s kicked in the UFL.
Long snapper Jake McQuaide returned to the Rams last week and the team’s kicking operation immediately improved.
So, on Monday, the Rams signed McQuaide to the 53-man roster — officially bringing him back to a position he manned for the franchise from 2011-2020.
A two-time Pro Bowler, McQuaide initially joined the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted rookie out of Ohio State. He was the team’s long snapper for every one of the club’s games through 2020, including the club’s appearance in Super Bowl LIII to cap the 2018 season.
He spent 2021 and 2022 with Dallas before also appearing in games for Detroit, Minnesota, and Miami from 2023-2024.
McQuaide is one of two players on the L.A. roster who were also on the team in St. Louis, with the other being right tackle Rob Havenstein.
The Rams waived long snapper Alex Ward to make room for McQuaide on the 53-man roster.
Josh Allen? Nope. Patrick Mahomes? Nope. Lamar Jackson? Nope. Aaron Rodgers? Please.
Since 2018, one of those four quarterbacks has won the NFL MVP award. Currently, none is the favorite to win it in 2025.
Right now, at +275, it’s Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Hot on his heels is Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, at +300.
Both had impressive road wins in Week 10, with New England toppling the Bucs, 28-23, and the Rams evening the regular-season series with the 49ers, 42-26. And Stafford is the first player to have three straight games with four or more touchdown passes and no interceptions.
Mahomes lands next, at 5-1, followed by Colts running back Jonathan Taylor at 6-1, Allen at 7-1, and Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold at 10-1.
Jackson is currently 25-1. Rodgers has plummeted to 150-1.
There’s still plenty of football to be played. And it fluctuates every week. Still, the Patriots are 8-2. They face the Jets, Bengals, and Giants before their bye. They should be 11-2 at that point.
Then come games against the Bills and the resurgent Ravens, followed by the Jets and Dolphins to end the season.
The No. 1 seed is within reach for New England. Which puts the MVP award squarely within Maye’s grasp.
Of course, the Rams could also end up with the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Which could boost Stafford. Who has never won it, and who could benefit from the perception that it’s his last chance to do so — with Maye having many more opportunities.
