The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games could have the unanticipated side effect of forcing USC football out of its iconic home at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum that year, possibly moving the team temporarily to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, it was reported Thursday.
Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.
Citing people familiar with the situation, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday that the $100 million temporary track that will be installed at the Coliseum for Olympic and Paralympic track-and-field events likely will not be removed in time for the September 2028 start of USC's football season.
The university is still weighing its options, and no final decisions have been made, but SoFi Stadium has emerged as the likeliest alternative for the Trojans to play at least some of its games, The Times reported.
"USC and LA28 are working in lockstep on all logistics for the Olympic and Paralympic Games," Cody Worsham of USC athletics told The Times in a statement. "We will share details with the public when they are finalized."
The closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games is scheduled for Aug. 27, 2028, roughly two weeks before USC's scheduled home opener on Sept. 9, 2028, The Times reported.
A move to SoFi by the Trojans could mean both of Southern California's major collegiate football programs might be playing in the venue.
Officials with the Rose Bowl Stadium and city of Pasadena have filed a lawsuit against UCLA, contending that the Bruins are trying to break their lease and move the team's home football games to SoFi. UCLA officials have insisted that no decisions have been made about the team's future plans. The Rose Bowl and Pasadena say UCLA has a firm lease to play at the storied venue until 2044.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM