STIFF-ARM OR STAY PUT?

Former players and incoming UCLA recruits weigh in on a potential move from the iconic Rose Bowl to SoFi Stadium

- By Ben Bolch

WALLY SKALIJ Los Angeles Times THE ROSE BOWL has been the Bruins' home since 1982, but the team's football venue going forward will be decided by the courts.

Those who want to stay at the Rose Bowl describe the place as iconic, an ode to everything that's great about college football. They say it oozes history and tradition. Just the sight of the glowing neon sign is enough to give them goosebumps.

Those who want to go call the place a dump. They say it’s old and decaying by the day, a shell of its former greatness. Why hold on so hard when a futuristic stadium in Inglewood could provide not only a home closer to campus but also an infusion of cash as part of a more favorable lease?

Going into what could be UCLA's last home game ever at its century-old stadium Saturday night, some with deep ties to the school say they understand each of the dueling perspectives in the debate over a possible move to SoFi Stadium.

"The concern is, are you gonna lose part of your identity, which has been in peril lately already?" said Kris Farris, a former All-America offensive tackle with the Bruins who was among the more than half-dozen former greats and current recruits who spoke with The Times about the situation. “So it’s like you're taking away another special part of UCLA, but of course everyone understands the upside financially and what the program needs to do in the arms race of college football right now.”

Officially, nothing has been decided. School officials have released two statements in recent weeks, both acknowledging the uncertainty of the situation. It’s believed that if UCLA decided to make a move to SoFi Stadium, the Bruins would want to do so before the 2026 season.