Judge Rules in Favor of Inglewood in Hollywood Park Spat

City of Inglewood: 1. Stan Kroenke and his SoFi Stadium: 0.

The city surrounding the Hollywood Park retail, office residential and stadium complex has prevailed in one of two lawsuits filed by its billionaire developer and owner during what was supposed to have been a triumph during this year’s World Cup tournament, Politico reported.

Hollywood Park, which includes the $5 billion stadium that is host to eight World Cup matches, sued the city after it struck a deal last year with Los Angeles-based WOW Media to plant digital billboards across Inglewood and near the stadium at 1001 South Stadium Drive.

In one lawsuit, Hollywood Park alleged the city’s billboard deal “siphons” money from its property. SoFi Stadium opened in 2020 on the site of the former Hollywood Park race track.

In a second complaint, the landlord of the 300-acre urban village demanded $400 million from Inglewood as payback for public infrastructure upgrades and other improvements. It said the city was required to reimburse those costs once certain tax revenue thresholds were met.

The City of Inglewood, however, argued the development agreement cited by Hollywood Park was unenforceable. The reason: it was adopted through an initiative approved by voters and not a legislative body, the typical path.

On Tuesday, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the South Bay city, upholding the long-term agreement between the billboard company and the city while saying it didn’t break the law. The 400 million reimbursement lawsuit filed by Hollywood Park is still pending

The developer vowed to appeal the court’s decision.

“We respectfully disagree with the Court’s decision regarding the City’s long-term agreement with WOW and continue to believe that leasing public rights-of-way in this manner is inconsistent with state and municipal law,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “Despite the court’s decision, Hollywood Park remains committed to continuing its investment in Inglewood and supporting the community’s long-term success.

Inglewood Mayor James Butts told Politico “there is no animosity between” the city and the landlord. Butts characterized the legal spat with Hollywood Park as a “business dispute,” adding the city has “the right to self-determination.”

In a statement, WOW CEO Scott Krantz said the firm was pleased with the court’s “decisive ruling,” adding that the agreement with Inglewood delivers “significant, ongoing revenue” to the city.

Inglewood this month prevailed in a similar legal challenge from the owner of Intuit Dome, a nearby arena developed by billionaire Steve Ballmer that is home to his Los Angeles Clippers, according to Politico.

– Dana Bartholomew