No Action Reported on Special Closed Session Meeting on Rose Bowl Game

As of Thursday morning, the City Council had reported no action after a closed session meeting on Tuesday that included discussion on allowing the College Football Playoff (CFP) to use the Rose Bowl Game name for a semi-final championship game to be played in Texas on New Year’s Day.

According to the closed session agenda, a discussion on the “price and terms of payments” with City Manager Steve Mermell and Tournament of Roses CEO David Eads was scheduled to take place.

The CFP announced on Saturday night that the game between No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Notre Dame had been moved.

On Sunday, news outlets reported that the game would still be called the Rose Bowl Game, even though that privilege can only be granted by the City Council. The Council, however, had not yet met to consider the matter.

“The College Football Playoff Management Committee and Tournament of Roses have mutually agreed that, given the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Southern California, the CFP semifinal game previously scheduled to be played at the Rose Bowl Stadium will now be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX,” according a statement issued by the CFP.

Local residents implored the council to not allow the CFP to use the name Rose Bowl Game for the upcoming game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“Please do not allow the College Football Playoff game in Texas to use the Rose Bowl name,” wrote Pasadena Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Paul Little in correspondence to the City Council.

“The name and the game are Pasadena’s identity to the world. Allowing it to be used for a game in Texas would diminish the name and the value of the event. The Rose Bowl name is part of Pasadena’s brand and should be protected and cherished by the City and the Tournament. You betray Pasadena, its residents and our history to allow the Rose Bowl name to be used for a game in Texas,” wrote Little, a former Pasadena City Councilmember.

City officials declined to comment on the issue before the meeting. According to the Ralph M. Brown Act, the state’s open meeting law, the city must publicly report any action taken in closed session. However, reporting may be deferred under certain circumstances, including lawsuit settlements and monetary agreements, usually because legal action is often contingent upon approval and signatures by another party.

Online, Texas residents and elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, gloated over the decision to move the game.

“Now football is fleeing California,” Cruz posted on Twitter.

The CFP moved the semifinal game from the historic stadium to Arlington due to a California state order that bans fans and family members of players from viewing sporting events in person.

“Rose Bowl and Rose Bowl Game are the two most valuable names and brands in our city. And both are among the top sports/venue brands in the U.S. The Rose Bowl is also internationally recognized with an enduring halo effect on the image of Pasadena,” wrote Wayne Hunt.

“A branding appraisal would likely place a value on these famous brands in the millions of dollars. If we allow a Rose Bowl Game to be played in Texas we essentially say that we don’t value the exclusivity of the Rose Bowl and even the unique qualities of Pasadena,” Hunt continued.

“I don’t think we would tolerate our Rose Parade to take place in Dallas, so don’t allow our cherished Rose Bowl brands to be exported and diminished either,” Hunt wrote. ““Yes, move this year’s game, but don’t let them profit from and diminish our beloved and valuable brands by literally exporting the Rose Bowl to Texas.”