Topline:
UCLA will get some of its access back to its baseball stadium and practice field on the Veterans Affairs campus in West L.A., a federal judge ordered Monday.
Why it matters: Judge David O. Carter accepted parts of UCLA’s proposal to allow the team to continue using the facilities, leased from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, after they were ordered to leave late last month.
Why now: UCLA will also have to nearly double its annual rent to $600,000, to be paid within the next two weeks, as outlined in its proposal.
The backstory: The decision stems from a discrimination lawsuit filed by a group of veterans in November 2022 who argue that disabled veterans relying on the VA medical services need more housing near the West L.A. campus.
What's next: The latest order grants the Bruin baseball team temporary access to the field until July 4, 2025, to give the university time to figure out an exit strategy, Carter said.
Read more ...about how we got here.
UCLA will get some of its access back to its baseball stadium and practice field on the Veterans Affairs campus in West L.A., a federal judge ordered Monday.
Judge David O. Carter accepted parts of UCLA’s proposal to allow the team to continue using the facilities, leased from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, after they were ordered to leave late last month.
The latest order grants the Bruin baseball team temporary access to the field until July 4, 2025, to give the university time to figure out an exit strategy, Carter said. UCLA will also have to nearly double its annual rent to $600,000, to be paid within the next two weeks, as outlined in its proposal.
But some veterans and advocates are disappointed with the decision.
“It’s just really unfortunate that they’re coming back on and they’re only giving $600,000,” Rob Reynolds, veterans advocate, told LAist after the hearing. “They pay their coach more money than what they’re offering for the use of that baseball stadium.”
John Savage, the Bruins’ head baseball coach, made $848,000 in gross pay last year, according to University of California employee pay data.
What happened in the hearing
The decision stems from a discrimination lawsuit filed by a group of veterans in November 2022 who argue that disabled veterans relying on VA medical services need more housing near the West L.A. campus.
Carter has ordered the construction of 750 temporary homes in the next 18 months and 1,800 permanent units at or near the West L.A. campus. On Monday, he repeatedly asked both parties where the baseball fields fit into those plans.
The attorneys for the plaintiffs expressed their opposition to letting UCLA back on the baseball fields, citing the increase in rent from $320,000 to $600,000, which they felt was not enough.
But Carter countered with his own concerns about letting the land sit empty while both sides nail down the details, and missing out on the money from UCLA in the meantime.
He encouraged UCLA and the plaintiffs to continue their conversations on possible longer-term agreements, such as veteran student housing. But if that doesn’t happen by next July, the Bruins will once again lose access to the fields, which may then be used for housing.
Carter added this gives the university enough time to figure out an exit strategy.
The response
Martin Jarmond, UCLA’s director of athletics, said in a statement to LAist that they’re excited to practice and play in Jackie Robinson Stadium this season.
“Our young men have been working hard and keeping a positive attitude throughout this period of uncertainty, and we are pleased that they will be able to resume their regular training at the stadium,” Jarmond said.
Robert Canas, a plaintiff and veteran who lives on the West L.A. campus, told LAist after the hearing that the order is “terrible.”
“$600,000 isn't a lot of money for the property and where they're at,” he said. “And I feel like where that field is could be veteran housing.”
But Canas said he is hopeful that this will be the Bruins last season on the VA campus and that they’ll have a back-up plan come next year.
Steve Soboroff, who testified as an expert witness for the plaintiffs, told LAist he doesn’t see the order as a great victory for anyone, and he hopes that UCLA will be able to reach an agreement that benefits all parties.
“This is basically start looking for land, because we're not going to use this year, but we'll start next year,” he said after the hearing. “And I hope that they can come up with something … that can help us complete enough [housing] for the veterans.”
Brad Rosenberg, the Department of Veterans Affairs attorney, declined to comment after the hearing, as did attorneys for the plaintiffs.
