Agreed, the schedule and hype are extremely important. Prices of individual tickets - not so much.
Update on $75M North Endzone Renovation; Capacity may drop below 70,000
- Thread starter Franisdaman
- Start date
Agreed, the schedule and hype are extremely important. Prices of individual tickets - not so much.
Michigan, Nebraska, OSU, LSU, aTm are amongst the many schools that have had expansion projects in recent years. So has ISU, Louisville, Cincinnati, TTU and more...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NCAA_Division_I_FBS_football_stadiums
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NCAA_Division_I_FBS_football_stadiums
While some schools are expanding, we will see how wise it is. Every situation is different. How many of them are similar to Iowa? Your list is the kings of the sport, and the ones who have small stadiums that need to grow to remain even close to being competitive. How many 70k, prince programs have expanded?
OSU is cutting 2k with their upcoming expansion, dropping them back to the range before their previous expansion of a couple years ago.
Michigan's capacity is roughly the same as it was in 1998.
Missouri expanded, and I think they're going to rue the day. They didn't have a sellout last year and had ~13k empty seats for their last two conference games.
Cincy expanded from 35 to 40k.
Louisville is expanding from 55k to 65k, but they're also in a power conference for the first time. They're also one of the very very best run athletic departments in the country.
TTU expanded from 58 to 60k in 2009.
Arizona state cut from 72k to 64k in the past couple years.
Missouri is the most comparable program that has expanded, and I think it is a mistake.
OSU is cutting 2k with their upcoming expansion, dropping them back to the range before their previous expansion of a couple years ago.
Michigan's capacity is roughly the same as it was in 1998.
Missouri expanded, and I think they're going to rue the day. They didn't have a sellout last year and had ~13k empty seats for their last two conference games.
Cincy expanded from 35 to 40k.
Louisville is expanding from 55k to 65k, but they're also in a power conference for the first time. They're also one of the very very best run athletic departments in the country.
TTU expanded from 58 to 60k in 2009.
Arizona state cut from 72k to 64k in the past couple years.
Missouri is the most comparable program that has expanded, and I think it is a mistake.
Based on the you know what measuring contests I've seen over the years between Iowa and ISU, I have to think that if the AD approves a plan that nets Iowa 68-69k seats, most Iowa fans will retain a superiority complex over the Cyclones based on stadium size, but will secretly feel that 60 anything is too close to Cy for Hawk comfort.
The casual NCAA football fan and football recruit is not going to make a big stink over what might be a 5-7k person difference in terms of prestige granted by potential ticket sales. No matter how premium Hawk butts are touted to be.
The casual NCAA football fan and football recruit is not going to make a big stink over what might be a 5-7k person difference in terms of prestige granted by potential ticket sales. No matter how premium Hawk butts are touted to be.
Is it many, or is it those ones?
Do you actually think Iowa does compare to the first four you cite? And isn't Iowa larger than the last four?
Where "should" Iowa rank, and where do they? How will dropping ~600 seats change that?
I did not know Iowa does not sell out every home game?
Your school is decreasing stadium capacity while Nebraska Is increasing stadium capacity? I always thought Iowa's population was larger than Nebraska's population base. I thought your stadium was just as big as Memorial Stadium which holds more than 90, 000 with a waiting list for tickets.
Your school is decreasing stadium capacity while Nebraska Is increasing stadium capacity? I always thought Iowa's population was larger than Nebraska's population base. I thought your stadium was just as big as Memorial Stadium which holds more than 90, 000 with a waiting list for tickets.
Does Nebraska have 2 FBS football programs and 2 FCS football programs in the state?
I'm having a brain fart here so help me out, who are the 2 FCS schools in Iowa, I know UNI is one, who's the other?
Ferentz has a losing record against an FCS school and is a four time winner of Big Ten Coach of the Year. That's impressive
They will look bad when demand dies down for tickets. Empty parts of a stadium look a lot worse than whatever the capacity reads.
Not saying you're wrong, but I've seen this stated and don't understand the rationale.
The rationale behind thinking we can have bigger crowds if the Big12 dissolves? That thinking is based on the following chain reaction:
1) B12 breaks up
2) Iowa State ends up sitting at the kid's table, while Iowa stays with the big boys.
3) Over time, Cy's fanbase dwindles as more people want to support a big boy. (ISU becomes like UNI while Iowa football is the undisputed top ticket in sports for the state)
4) Most of that new generation that would be ISU fans support Iowa (some will go to other regional or national powers, naturally).
5) Since the state of Iowa can fill a 70k stadium and a 50-something-k stadium on the same Saturday, surely we can fill a 90-100k stadium if we joined forces.
*My name is Dauminator, and I do not predict this will happen. Save your bile.
I take no offense to it, I think the effect would be felt at a much smaller scale than anticipated. How can I rationalize being a season ticket holder currently of a 3 win team and not for a 8, 9, 10 win MAC team? ISU would go from being an after-thought in a big conference to being the big dog in a smaller conference. I honestly am more excited to go to any football game more than OU and BU where you know you're going to lose. I don't believe it would affect my family and friends allegiance, I think there's plenty more like me.
I was thinking Drake, but they're probably considered Div2 or something. Either way, Nubby's little comment was dumb.
As an ISU season ticket holder, it will destroy the athletic program at ISU if the Big 12 dies, and ISU can not catch on to one of the other four major conferences. The money is just not there in the AAC or Mountain West. ISU would start to place even more emphases on Men's and Woman's basketball, drawing away support from football. Winning more games in a lesser conference will not make up the money, and support that staying in a P 5 conference will. Iowa fans know that, and that is why they are hoping and praying it will occur.
I lol'd when I saw how many responses this thread got
Kinnick hasn't had 70k seats since the south endzone was rebuilt. Capacity has been in the high 60s since that time and they have been counting concessionaires, ticket takers, ushers - basically anybody physically in the stadium - in the 'attendance' figure
Kinnick hasn't had 70k seats since the south endzone was rebuilt. Capacity has been in the high 60s since that time and they have been counting concessionaires, ticket takers, ushers - basically anybody physically in the stadium - in the 'attendance' figure
Thank you for saving us the trouble of counting.
agr1858: The shift would happen over time, at least a generation. I know if the roles were reversed I sure are shoot wouldn't jump ship to ISU.
The Nebraska waiting list is no more - they are advertising on BTN that season tickets are available.
Iowa isn't trying to decrease capacity. They are rebuilding an endzone, which involves adding suites and providing seats with widths that match the rest of the stadium. They are just making it known that, while they are looking at different options, they may lose a small amount of seating in the rebuild. Since they were hovering right above 70,000 before, it is possible that they slip slightly below 70,000.
Drake can still play UNI in their non-conference schedule as the Bulldogs play many other full scholarship FCS schools. Though Drake could not play ISU or Iowa because they do not meet the minimum scholarship requirements necessary to schedule an FBS school.
No, you were wrong. We just have the better program and a far superior school. Enjoy your waiting list.
Kinnick capacity is 70585. I believe they count ticket holders in attendance. Or maybe it's tickets sold? They don't count stadium workers.
An update:
Kinnick Stadium upgrade estimate now at $75 million
North end zone designs still not final
Scott Dochterman
The Gazette
More stories from Scott
Jun 7, 2016 at 2:19 pm | http://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/kinnick-stadium-upgrade-estimate-now-at-75-million-20160607
IOWA CITY — Cost estimates for Kinnick Stadium’s north end-zone renovation have roughly doubled in the last 10 months, according to a University of Iowa capital projects document.
The 2017 fiscal year report, which was submitted to the state Board of Regents, lists the project’s price tag at $75 million. That’s up from $35-45 million when the athletics department received initial Regents permission last summer.
Rod Lehnertz, UI’s senior vice president for finance and operations, said the initial cost was configured before UI investigated the site and the scope of the project.
“Initial programming and design efforts have indicated the project costs will be more than what was originally stated,” Lehnertz wrote in an email to The Gazette. “The final scope has not yet been established, and ($75 million) is a preliminary place-holder. Whether or not the project will cost ($75 million), more than that or less, is yet to be determined, but as various design options are refined, costs will be communicated to the Board of Regents, according to standard capital project protocol.”
Iowa athletics department spokesman Steve Roe said the project remains in the design phase without a timetable for a Regents presentation and potential approval. Athletics director Gary Barta told The Gazette two weeks ago the renovation remains “in the planning process.”
UI athletics is self-supporting and will fund the enhancements through private donations, bonds and department revenue.
The north end-zone section had not been renovated since the early 1980s, and some fans have complained the seating area is cramped and uncomfortable. The project includes premium seating but discussion remains ongoing regarding the number of suites, indoor/outdoor club seating and possible patio areas as well as bleachers. Barta told The Gazette two weeks ago schematic designs are open with “probably 50 different possibilities.” More restrooms and new concession areas are expected as well.
Iowa last renovated Kinnick Stadium in 2006 for $89 million. That included a reconstructed south end zone, west side premium seating and suites inside a new press box along with more restrooms, new locker rooms and wider concourses.
The redesign could alter stadium capacity, which now stands at 70,585. Iowa ranked 24th in football attendance last year, and Barta said he wants the program to remain in the top 25.
Iowa’s athletics department has other anticipated new capital projects for fiscal year 2017. Among them include a $5 million upgrade to the Gerdin Learning Center, $3 million to install a new antenna system at Kinnick Stadium, a $1 million renovation to the new football performance facility for space and storage, and $1.2 million to install new video boards, sound and lighting to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. All of those costs are estimates.
Kinnick Stadium upgrade estimate now at $75 million
North end zone designs still not final
Scott Dochterman
The Gazette
More stories from Scott
Jun 7, 2016 at 2:19 pm | http://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/kinnick-stadium-upgrade-estimate-now-at-75-million-20160607
IOWA CITY — Cost estimates for Kinnick Stadium’s north end-zone renovation have roughly doubled in the last 10 months, according to a University of Iowa capital projects document.
The 2017 fiscal year report, which was submitted to the state Board of Regents, lists the project’s price tag at $75 million. That’s up from $35-45 million when the athletics department received initial Regents permission last summer.
Rod Lehnertz, UI’s senior vice president for finance and operations, said the initial cost was configured before UI investigated the site and the scope of the project.
“Initial programming and design efforts have indicated the project costs will be more than what was originally stated,” Lehnertz wrote in an email to The Gazette. “The final scope has not yet been established, and ($75 million) is a preliminary place-holder. Whether or not the project will cost ($75 million), more than that or less, is yet to be determined, but as various design options are refined, costs will be communicated to the Board of Regents, according to standard capital project protocol.”
Iowa athletics department spokesman Steve Roe said the project remains in the design phase without a timetable for a Regents presentation and potential approval. Athletics director Gary Barta told The Gazette two weeks ago the renovation remains “in the planning process.”
UI athletics is self-supporting and will fund the enhancements through private donations, bonds and department revenue.
The north end-zone section had not been renovated since the early 1980s, and some fans have complained the seating area is cramped and uncomfortable. The project includes premium seating but discussion remains ongoing regarding the number of suites, indoor/outdoor club seating and possible patio areas as well as bleachers. Barta told The Gazette two weeks ago schematic designs are open with “probably 50 different possibilities.” More restrooms and new concession areas are expected as well.
Iowa last renovated Kinnick Stadium in 2006 for $89 million. That included a reconstructed south end zone, west side premium seating and suites inside a new press box along with more restrooms, new locker rooms and wider concourses.
The redesign could alter stadium capacity, which now stands at 70,585. Iowa ranked 24th in football attendance last year, and Barta said he wants the program to remain in the top 25.
Iowa’s athletics department has other anticipated new capital projects for fiscal year 2017. Among them include a $5 million upgrade to the Gerdin Learning Center, $3 million to install a new antenna system at Kinnick Stadium, a $1 million renovation to the new football performance facility for space and storage, and $1.2 million to install new video boards, sound and lighting to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. All of those costs are estimates.
Now I realize the cost of things have really increased over the last eight to ten years (thanks Obama) but this should be a very impressive addition. It cost 89 million dollars for the South End Zone and the new Press Box and you're spending 75 million on the North end-zone alone. This should be amazing
Everybody does it. Attendance figures are like the old accounting joke:
Boss: What are the numbers for this month?
Accountant: What do you want them to be?
