UW Could Play In Qwest Field If Stadium Renovations Approved

Washington Could Play Games At Qwest Field  If Husky Stadium Undergoes Renovations

The Seahawks have informed the Univ. of Washington (UW) that the school "can play their football games at Qwest Field in 2010," according to Perry & Condotta of the SEATTLE TIMES. UW AD Scott Woodward recently met with Seahawks execs and "secured a 'verbal agreement'" for the school to play at Qwest Field if the school's Husky Stadium undergoes a planned $300M renovation. Woodward said that the upgrades to Husky Stadium "could begin immediately after the last game of the upcoming season ... and would take about 20 months." Perry & Condotta note that would allow UW to return to Husky Stadium for the '11 season. However, UW "faces a tough sell" to the state Legislature, which will ultimately determine whether the renovations utilize $150M in taxpayer money. Some Washington State Univ. alums "are opposed to the UW getting any tax money for the stadium, arguing it's a poor use of public funds during a budget crisis." Under UW's proposal, the school "would pay half the $300[M] renovation costs through its own fundraising." Woodward said that the efforts, which "would start as soon as a decision is made on public funding, could include selling stadium naming rights" (SEATTLE TIMES, 1/12).