Because they can.

It will move the stands closer to the field; the track was removed some years ago now.

Also, buildings for conventions, etc. to be added, later I think.

Schools routinely upgrade their athletic facilities when it’s needed.

In a few years people will be telling the story that “Kansas is stupid because they spend $300 million on their football stadium because they were SURE they would get a BIG or SEC invite and they still didn’t get in” or some rubbish like that.

(09-18-2023 05:26 PM)Todor Wrote:  Schools routinely upgrade their athletic facilities when it’s needed.

Most, but not all....

(09-18-2023 02:35 PM)TeamRamRod1 Wrote:  

Nice picture. Where are they putting the pressbox?

(09-18-2023 05:26 PM)Todor Wrote:  Schools routinely upgrade their athletic facilities when it’s needed.

In a few years people will be telling the story that “Kansas is stupid because they spend $300 million on their football stadium because they were SURE they would get a BIG or SEC invite and they still didn’t get in” or some rubbish like that.

They don't need a P2 invite to be able to afford the upgrade. I'd say that this is a natural progression for KU. Clearly, they're in the top Basketball Conference today, or "A" top basketball Conference at the very least. Their situation is more like UNC's: the P2 is just better, but if they stay where they are and keep winning in basketball, while perhaps doing a bit better in football for the long term, that's a big win for them Athletically. If they end up getting the golden ticket to the P2, that's just gravy.

(09-18-2023 06:14 PM)bryanw1995 Wrote:  

(09-18-2023 02:35 PM)TeamRamRod1 Wrote:  

Nice picture. Where are they putting the pressbox?

I think it's to be on the west (pic's right) side, sandwiched between decks.

Some state money already kicked in. It's also nice to have deep-pockets donors; David Booth is one. :-)

(09-18-2023 10:48 AM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  To show to the Big Ten and SEC that they're serious about investing in football, of course.

Stadium upgrades won't get any cheaper, either. There's a lot to be said for moving as soon as you can.

More details on the stadium renovation:
https://www.kcur.org/sports/2023-08-15/u...first-look

Is the 50 million fieldhouse new or a renovation?

Renovation. AFH is hallowed ground.

(09-18-2023 02:35 PM)TeamRamRod1 Wrote:  

That’s an amazing transformation. Congratulations to your program. I know your team and your fans will enjoy it.

(09-18-2023 11:21 AM)DFW HOYA Wrote:  For those that have seen a game there, you know why. It's arguably the plainest of the pre-expansion Big 12 stadia.

Is that a parking garage built into the grandstand?

If you have ever been to a game there, you would understand. It is the worst college stadium I've been to in a long time.

(09-18-2023 10:57 AM)dbackjon Wrote:  Kansas is only big time football away from a B1G or SEC invite.

Only real negative against them. Another 5+ years of making bowl games and they should be reconsidered.

As a K-Stater I welcome the improvement. BSF Stadium is fantastic because one, it's beautiful, and two, it's perfect for a school of K-State's ilk. Both institutions in the state deserve the "perfect" stadium for their needs. One thing of note, Wagner Field/Bill Snyder Family Stadium was pretty much a blank slate through the mid-90's given the simplicity of the facility and the fact it was only 30 or so years old when the renovations began. Memorial Stadium is over 100 years old and is simply a larger structure.

They clearly are getting ready for a P2 invite

(09-19-2023 07:27 PM)Rockchalkchihawk Wrote:  They clearly are getting ready for a P2 invite

And I would be shocked if they spent 300 million without some assurances.

(09-18-2023 01:12 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  If you are a basketball-first school, they may be happy where they are. The SEC is second tier. The Big 10 has crapped the bed in recent years. The Big 12 may well be the best basketball conference in the country, without it being close.

It is possible investment in a football stadium means they are trying to increase their competitiveness there and not some secret attempt to move up in conference stature.

That's one way to look at it. Another way to look at it:

$80M annually = your 'crap the bed'

$65M annually = your 'second tier'

$40M annually = your no-need-to-mention

$32M annually = your 'may be happy where they are, no need to move up'

(09-19-2023 09:05 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(09-19-2023 07:27 PM)Rockchalkchihawk Wrote:  They clearly are getting ready for a P2 invite

And I would be shocked if they spent 300 million without some assurances.

KU + Mizzou to the B1G makes a lot of sense

(09-20-2023 07:30 AM)PeteTheChop Wrote:  

(09-19-2023 09:05 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(09-19-2023 07:27 PM)Rockchalkchihawk Wrote:  They clearly are getting ready for a P2 invite

And I would be shocked if they spent 300 million without some assurances.

KU + Mizzou to the B1G makes a lot of sense

I doubt we'll see Missouri leave the SEC under the current situation. Maybe once the ACC schools come available, but I doubt it.

That said, I think Kansas + Colorado could make a lot of sense.

And for that, they wouldn't have to wait for the ACC.

Colorado is interesting, when you look at the reasons that the ACC added SMU. Having a "lily-pad" in between the west coast and the rest of the conference could be seen as a useful addition, even if only merely for that.