AAC News: SMU $100M stadium expansion

[DentonStang]

I would normally not dump this here but since we'll, supposedly, be in the same conference by the time this is finished it's relevant

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/smu-mustangs/2022/01/21/smu-kick-starts-ford-stadium-expansion-after-alumnus-ponies-up-50-million/

[Jonnyeagle]

Wow.  Just wow…

[Mean Green Matt]

Because if there’s anything SMU needs it’s a bigger stadium. 😂

[RBP79]

Guess they believe once NT enters the AAC we will bring more fans to there game.

[MeanGreenPatriot]

It looks silly as hell 80% empty most games. Those people are just flat out delusional. I'll have to give the SMU guy that reports to me grief about this. 

[DentonStang]

It's not about seats, even we know they won't get filled as things are today. Granted it's a lot of suites they will sell for revenue, and most of the facility is needed upgraded weight rooms training tables, meeting space, etc., this has to signal SMU thinks they have an actual chance to move up in conference. Even if we did sell out the seats, this kind of thing is not sustainable with the bag of beads and free Chili's appetizer we're going to be getting from the AAC. 

And this is just a part of the giant bag of booster money that has been flowing in. Why now?

[LongJim]

Just guessing from the photos, but it looks like this will push Ford to a little over 40k?

[greenjoe]

To improve attendance, they ought to give 100 "fans" 1 million dollars each  with the promise to attend a game.

[Jonnyeagle]

Just now, greenjoe said:

To improve attendance, they ought to give 100 "fans" 1 million dollars each  with the promise to attend a game.

Haha like a fan NIL?  Fans in the portal for the highest bidder?  I like this!

[ADLER]

3 minutes ago, LongJim said:

Just guessing from the photos, but it looks like this will push Ford to a little over 40k?

Well, they do want to be able to host regional Big XII schools and colleges from other P5 conferences.

This is something that North Texas is not prepared to do. The tiny east side stands are horribly insufficient for major college football.

[jtm0097]

That was nice of the architects to include a live screenshot of how the stadium will look on gameday.

Edited January 21, 2022 by jtm0097

[GrandGreen]

2 minutes ago, ADLER said:

Well, they do want to be able to host regional Big XII schools and colleges from other P5 conferences.

This is something that North Texas is not prepared to do. The tiny east side stands are horribly insufficient for major college football.

What P5 schools are going to schedule SMU to home and away games?

Until NT starts having sell outs, why would it make any sense to expand Apogee?

SMU is trying to remain relevant despite having to share a conference with the likes of NT and UTSA.  Money talks louder than ever with the buying of players through NIL agreements. 

[Wag Tag]

Something needs to be done TODAY on the weight, rehab and trainers facilities. It doesn't have to tie into the AD rehab plan which has been on the books since 2017. UTSA just finished theirs which is attached to their practice field which will be covered.

 

Edited January 21, 2022 by Wag Tag

[Tom McKrackin]

This is indeed very concerning.  I fear that we will be near the bottom of the AAC in facilities and salaries.  We really need to start making some moves or the differences between us will become insurmountable. 

[Cr1028]

46 minutes ago, greenjoe said:

To improve attendance, they ought to give 100 "fans" 1 million dollars each  with the promise to attend a game.

$5k to 20k people and they will sell out every game.

[mustangfan]

To my understanding we are positioning to be in the next group for consideration from any future Big 12 expansion along with Memphis.  This could take some time but I do admire their efforts to reach that goal.

[Cr1028]

1 minute ago, mustangfan said:

To my understanding we are positioning to be in the next group for consideration from any future Big 12 expansion along with Memphis.  This could take some time but I do admire their efforts to reach that goal.

Absolutely, smart positioning by our future conference mate.

[meangreen11]

1 hour ago, DentonStang said:

I would normally not dump this here but since we'll, supposedly, be in the same conference by the time this is finished it's relevant

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/smu-mustangs/2022/01/21/smu-kick-starts-ford-stadium-expansion-after-alumnus-ponies-up-50-million/

So SMU announces a 50 million dollar gift and new stadium expansion and we announce Austin Aune is coming back for an encore.

 

Edited January 21, 2022 by meangreen11

[SMU2006]

5 minutes ago, mustangfan said:

To my understanding we are positioning to be in the next group for consideration from any future Big 12 expansion along with Memphis.  This could take some time but I do admire their efforts to reach that goal.

This guy gets it.

[NTSU52]

Wren needs to get the ball rolling on the Athletic Center Expansion ASAP. We can’t afford to be outdone by these guys right now.

[PlummMeanGreen]

1 hour ago, ADLER said:

Well, they do want to be able to host regional Big XII schools and colleges from other P5 conferences.

This is something that North Texas is not prepared to do. The tiny east side stands are horribly insufficient for major college football.

And that tiny part of Apogee always gets 95% of the TV camera shots while few viewers ever see the more impressive press box side.  

Upon further thought & taking the “this should be UNT instead of SMU” out of the equation; anyhow, I applaud SMU for thinking ahead. It will complete their stadium. 

BONUS FOR UNT?  I think the SMU announcement will raise the stakes for our favorite school to build no less an end zone facility.  I also think we have an AD & fund-raisers to make it happen.
Since the Athletic Center is to be part of an Apogee End Zone facility could one say we’ve already jump-started our facility? 

🦅
 

Edited January 21, 2022 by PlummMeanGreen

[SMU2006]

5 minutes ago, NTSU52 said:

Wren needs to get the ball rolling on the Athletic Center Expansion ASAP. We can’t afford to be outdone by these guys right now.

Money would be better spent on getting a big time NIL program.  Its a total game changer.  

[Cr1028]

15 minutes ago, meangreen11 said:

So SMU announces a 50 million dollar gift and new stadium expansion and we announce Austin Aune is coming back for an encore.

 

If you recall, Austin Aune was not the starting quarterback to begin either of the last two seasons but stepped up when called upon. He has been a great leader for our program despite not having the arm talent of a Mason Fine. You can whine all you want but I’d rather have him as a fallback than someone like Josh Greer who is terrified to take a snap.

Edited January 21, 2022 by Cr1028

[Jonnyeagle]

 

[Cr1028]

1 minute ago, Jonnyeagle said:

 

It’d take me 1,000 lifetimes to be able to donate close to that level of cash.