Stadium renovation plan hurts fans, risks game day experience
Today the OU administration announced plans to spend nearly a half billion dollars, tear down the historic west side of Memorial Stadium and reduce seating to one of the smallest in the SEC, displacing 7,000 season ticket holders.
With excitement for the football program at its height in several years — Saturday’s crucial game against Missouri is a must win to maintain a shot at a playoff berth — the timing of this announcement is a balloon popper.
The cost will be $450 million. Renovation will be complete in time for the 2029 season.
A close look at the initial conceptual drawings released today shows a redesign of the west side of the stadium that includes large walls to separate the high dollar suite holders from the pauper fans.
I’m wondering how OU President Joe Harroz will react to any smattering of “boos” that will greet him in case he does one of those grip and grin plaque presentations after the details of the plan reveal its disruptive impact on fans that don’t pay $50,000 a year to attend football games.
This plan trades thousands of long-standing football fans who have been loyal to the program, for a few hundred pocket books.
Did the OU administration think this through? Well, the disturbing answer is, yes.