FIU's new stadium

[outrunner]

... I will venture to say that when we do get our OCS, it will be low-budget ...

The reason I disagree is that when we build our stadium(5-10 years), we will be averaging 45-50K easily and most would assume that an OCS will increase students coming, although they will most likely be paying by then.

I see a 55K seat stadium being built with a club section on the home side. Expansion will come after our 2nd National Championship(yes, we'll have a Title before the stadium which will push the building of it). Expansion will be another club on the "visitor" side with adding another 10K seats. After our 3rd National Title, we'll build an other expansion on one of the End Zones, like a TD Club and another 5K seats.

Love Off Season Dreaming !

:GoBulls

ET, love the enthusiam. Hope that it becomes a reality.

[Bullpride08]

Do guys read articles or just rush to conclusions?  The article clearly states that the first phase will be completed when we go down in 2008, so I am not sure what Cuban is trying to say about comparing.  There will be no comparison UCF's will win hands down.

FIU's first phase of the $54m 45k seat stadium will be only 18k seats.  So, basically they're building the first $20m stadium and the rest is 'to be continued'.  Probably to be finished after the big plasma and blood drives to raise funds on the campus over the next 15 years.

Propoganda, but this isn't even close to what UCF did or is doing.  A travesty that FIU even throws out these deceiving pressers to the public.

BTW, they won't even fill up an 18k seat stadium.  So the question is with USF selling nearly 17k season tickets do some of you want us to build a 3-4 phase stadium and start with one that seats 18-20k or would you rather the real deal some day soon, seats around 55k and has all modern amenities?

[Brad]

It's not often you see "$54 million", "state-of-the-art", and "stadium" in the same context.

[Cubanbull]

Bien

When USF decides to build an OCS it will look to see where it can get the biggest bang for its dollars. we are not rolling in money, so as it has been staed before we would go with a scaled down model that could be expanded an added to as money flows in.

My comparing comment is that it would give us an idea on which way to go. How will it look. I realize that FIU and UCF are building different styles. So im not talking about building a 45k stadium or 18k stadium on its first stage, im talking about the look, the seating etc.

Lets be realistic if you dont think DW and USF athletics are keepin aneye on what these schools are building, how they are financing it and how much money theyll bring then you are fooling yourseves.

USF doesnt have to pay or raise one penny and can just stand back and see if UCF anf FIU are successful if they are we can start something similar in 5 years time, if they are not then USF lost nothing

[bulls96go]

ocs will come in time.

we need the on campus infrastucture updated and that is the focus now as it should be

[CyberBull]

It's really simple:

If USF explodes on the field, there will be a large demand to watch in them in person. That will make it very PAINFUL for USF to give away parking, concessions etc to the Glazers. That will start the movement for an OCS in earnest and will be based on solid economics and not wishful projections such as UCiF is using. Do some of you guys realize that Brighthouse Networks naming rights are providing the revenues for over 25% of their stadium? Do you also realize that they can walk away after 6 years? If that happens and their program continues to under perform on the field do your really think that they are not going to be facing a financial crunch? It may sound far fetched...but think about how many athletic programs are in the black....not many if you do your homework. Instead USF is going to approach this thing responsibly and make sure that future administrations are not burdened with a huge debt load, especially when the University as a whole is going to spending tons of resources in hopes of earning membership in the ultra elite AAU?

For me the bottom line is simple: if USF wants a Tincan like the Tinmen are raising out of the ground we could easily get it done within the next 5 years. USF has more revenues, bigger market and a better on the field program that will translate into more big games against name opponents to fill the seats. However, we want to do things the right way. If you doubt what I am saying look at our athletic facility. We finished our building after UCiF's but who would want trade our building for their yellow barn?

[CyberBull]

oh btw...would some of you rather hang your hat on having an OCS or would rather hang your hat on a winning, nationally competitive football program?

Don't fall for the hype.  Unlike some other state programs, we don't have to brag about our facilities to disguise our failures on the field.

[Knight_Light]

oh btw...would some of you rather hang your hat on having an OCS or would rather hang your hat on a winning, nationally competitive football program?

Don't fall for the hype.  Unlike some other state programs, we don't have to brag about our facilities to disguise our failures on the field.

Depends...if your competitive football program isn't bringing in as many $$$$$ as it could if they played in their own stadium.

Since USF played infront, on average, of 41,000 empty seats last year at Ray Jay (actuall attendance average of just 24,000)...and even USF didn't earn one dime from concessions of those 24,000 fans per game....USF isn't "rolling in the dough" playing at Ray Jay.

If USF could earn a few more Million per year playing in an ON-campus stadium...could those $$$$ be re-invested into the program(s) to make them even MORE competitive...and maybe earn MORE national recognition?

Maybe so...maybe so.