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According to a document obtained by Pasadena Now, the city will not receive the full $2 million gift promised by the Tournament of Roses for use of the Rose Bowl Game name and trademarks until 2023.
“The TY21 [Tournament Year] City Fee shall be paid to the City in three installments, one-third each, on or before April 30, 2021, April 30, 2022 and April 30, 2023,” according to an amendment in the Master Lease Agreement (MLA) between the city and the Tournament.
But the document does not say when a deal was reached with the College Football Playoffs (CFP) to allow the Rose Bowl Game name and its associated trademarks to be used by the CFP on New Year’s Day.
The game logo appeared on the CFP website before the City Council and Tournament of Roses CEO David Eads met in closed session to discuss allowing the use of the name and service marks.
Details of that meeting have not been disclosed.
The amendment was dated Dec. 29, just three days before the game, and signed by City Manager Steve Mermell, Tournament of Roses President Robert Miller, and Eads.
City Attorney Michelle Beal Bagneris and City Clerk Mark Jomsky also signed the document. Jomsky signed on Dec. 30. The tournament confirmed the validity of the document on Tuesday when contacted by Pasadena Now.
Read the amendment document in the Master Lease Agreement (MLA) between the city and the Tournament
The game between Alabama and Notre Dame, which doubled as a college football semifinal playoff game, was moved by the CFP to Alrington, Texas in December after Eads twice failed to convince state officials to allow family members of players into the Rose Bowl Stadium during the game.
Although local residents railed against moving the game, viewers across the country did not seem to mind.
The game averaged 18.9 million viewers, and combined with the 19.1 million viewers who watched the Sugar Bowl between Clemson and Ohio State, ESPN had its third most-watched day in the network’s history.
The high numbers could embolden the CFP in the future if another emergency leads the organization to again consider moving the game.
The Rose Bowl is scheduled to host the semifinal game on Jan. 1, 2024.
The tournament is required to host the Rose Bowl Game every year on Jan. 1, according to the MLA. As an amendment to the agreement, the tournament was required to host the game in Texas.
The document also contained a clause calling on the tournament to call on the CFP to tamp down criticism aimed at the city by teams and college football conferences.
“The Association shall request that the CFP immediately request the institutions and athletic conferences participating in the CFP Game in TY21 to cease and desist from making any disparaging remarks about the City or the Rose Bowl Stadium in connection with the TY21 CFP Game, and to request that such parties express their appreciation for the City’s cooperative conduct,” the document states.
Notre Dame Coach Brian Kelly led the call to move the game and threatened to boycott the game if it remained in Pasadena.
“Why can’t it be the Rose Bowl in Las Vegas? Why can’t it be the Rose Bowl in another town?” Kelly posted on Twitter. “Where’s the flexibility? The one thing these kids have been is incredibly flexible.”
Kelly also criticized the tradition of the game.
“We’re worshipping the ashes of tradition.,” Kelly said.
Alabama won the game 31-14.
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