@iugradman well the Oregon stadium only seats 54,000. I believe IU is thinking along those lines, maybe a few more additions but they will never get to 100,000.
Purdue’s stadium holds 61,000. Memorial Stadium should hold at least that many.
~55-60K with suites seems to be right. Suites are the addition that can materially increase our revenue.
Honestly is our fanbase is pretty small. I think all the games except cupcakes #2 and #3 will sell out, but right now plenty of tickets are available.
Hopefully our fanbase keeps growing, but the offset is watching at home will continue to get better as technology improves with TV, VR, etc., which to some extent reduces people wanting to go to live games, sad as that may be. When it comes to stadium expansion, you don't want to overbuild and you've got to think decades ahead. We shall see what IU does...
Really good post and a lot of great comments. It took IU far too long to realize that you need to put effort into football and that it was not just something to get you to BBall season.
That needs to continue to happen. Off the field, IU's top priorities need to be creating more revenue streams (naming rights to the field, suites, merch, etc.). However, I do believe the average fan has been milked dry for the most part. Adding seat donations was necessary, but I understand it's a tough pill to swallow.
While the upgrades to the stadium have been really good and Memorial Stadium is a totally different place from when I was a freshman (2005), IU is still playing catchup due to their failure to keep pace for decades.
A new press box and suites is an absolute must. Adding 10K seats is a must (and doable).
Today Cig said he wants to be top 1/3 in resources in the conference. Just reinforces the importance of increasing revenue/donations to take this thing to the next level.
@iugradman IU doesn’t need 100,000 seats. Most are in the 60-80,0000 range. No way IU will do that or need too.
it seems they finally realize that football is where the money is. It took a big chance hire to finally get us here. Honestly I don't think they could even imagine Cig would produce like he did. So imo they got lucky. Thank the Lord they did. Finally.
your exactly right. I got torched by Tammany for mentioning a cheap out on the stadium rebuild. We have the smallest stadium in big ten outside of northwestern and now that they have remodeled not sure if they exceed us. Their facilities are better than ours. Toured them with my nephew who is committed to play there
get us to 60k seating
And while they are at it ... make sure they figure out more parking :).
Cignetti himself said today the stadium needs big upgrades. I hope Dolson is getting to work on that. The press box is an embarrassment, the concourses are barren, the bathrooms are a dump, and the overall environment is amateur hour. We need drone shows and multi-colored flashing lights to pump up the crowd and create a real atmosphere.
@tammany exactly....the trend in stadium renovation is smaller but more luxurious facilities., and I would not call Memorial Stadium luxurious in any feature.
BEAT PURDUE
We need more money. Sponsors and big donors are the needle movers. We’ll see what happens.
And then the question is do you spend it on roster or facilities? I’d go mostly roster for obvious reasons. Facility stuff is needed, just need to ROI on whatever they do to be really good to justify not buying players with the money.
Stadium renovation/expansion does seem to be in process per Scott’s quotes in the H-T.
Yes, CCC referred to stadium changes while directing his conversation to Scott Dolson during the media interview.
@tammany exactly....the trend in stadium renovation is smaller but more luxurious facilities., and I would not call Memorial Stadium luxurious in any feature.
Yea. And most college stadiums are pretty spartan. Kinda tricky when they’re used for eight games per year and maybe a few other events and the other 355 or so days each year it just sits there.
But, if people want luxury and will pay for it… give it to them! It’s the trend like you said.
@iugradman Could not agree more. Renovate toward 60k seating. But make everything in the future and existing PRIMO & Elite. Visually attractive, band-music-entertainment, big screens in concourses, press box totally replaced, bathrooms need more help, drones adding atmosphere and details, light shows at appropriate times. Cut school kids a deal and let them fill up the corners. Make MS a destination, possibilities are endless. Promote-Advertise! Promote-Advertise! ...! ...! ...! ...!!!
Go HOOSIERS
Cignetti himself said today the stadium needs big upgrades. I hope Dolson is getting to work on that. The press box is an embarrassment, the concourses are barren, the bathrooms are a dump, and the overall environment is amateur hour. We need drone shows and multi-colored flashing lights to pump up the crowd and create a real atmosphere.
some of these things are no brainers and should’ve been done a couple years ago. Heck, just getting rid of the orange tinted lights in the concourse and replacing them with LED white lights would do wonders for the appearance. Same with branding the concourse.
The plumbing in the stadium needs to be upgraded and winterized (if you’re gonna host a CFP or December games). Again, that should’ve been on the radar.
Branding inside the stadium needs to be more modern. Also need hand rails in the stands