Councilmember Hampton Says City Manager Michael Beck Should Recuse Himself from Any Rose Bowl NFL Discussions

Pasadena Councilmember Tyron Hampton said Thursday evening that should the City of Pasadena engage in any Rose Bowl discussions with the NFL in the coming weeks, City Manager Michael Beck should recuse himself.

“Three NFL teams (the Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers and St. Louis Rams) have submitted relocation applications to the NFL this week seeking to move to Los Angeles,” Hampton said in a statement.

“Given the challenge of finding venues to play in, it seems certain that NFL officials will once again attempt to negotiate to play games at the Rose Bowl. In order to play at the Rose Bowl, the NFL would need the consent of UCLA and would no doubt offer UCLA a large sum of money for UCLA’s consent,” Hampton said.

Hampton pointed out that current City Manager Beck hired by UCLA as its administrative vice chancellor. Beck will begin his work there on March 1, 2016.

“Because of the possible conflict of interest, I am also requesting that City Manager Michael Beck recuse himself from having any contact with the NFL while Mr. Beck remains in the employ of the City of Pasadena,” Hampton said.

Hampton said he is “opposed to the NFL using the Rose Bowl even on a temporary basis.”

“I will not sell the quality of life in the neighborhoods I represent for the benefit of the NFL at any price,” Hampton said in the statement.