University of Nebraska

NEBRASKA

Memorial Stadium
Built: 1923
Project cost: $63.5 million
Renovation designers: HNTB, The Clark Enersen Partners
Last major renovation: 2006

Where it stands: Steel and concrete foundations are in place for an expansion to the east side that will boost total seating to 90,000 by adding 38 suites, 2,115 outdoor club seats and 3,374 reserved seats. All told, revenue from new premium seats and reserved seats will generate $9 million annually for athletics. The new structure will have two floors of research space with 25,000 square feet devoted to Nebraska leading the Big Ten Conference’s effort to study links between football players’ concussions and brain injuries, said John Ingram, the school’s associate athletic director for capital planning and construction.

Premium seat details: Five super suites (24 seats each) centered on 50-yard line tied to a one-time gift of $2.5 million and exclusive use of the suite for 25 years; nine suites (24 seats each) two levels above $90,000 a year for 10 years; 24 suites (14 seats) $50,000 a year for 10 years. All suites sold out. Club seats $1,500 to $2,500 annual donation plus $392 season tickets. Sales start in five weeks. (“We have a wait list that leads us to believe they will easily sell out,” said Paul Meyers, associate athletic director for the Huskers Athletic Fund.) Food, drink and parking are additional fees. Reserved seats $150 minimum annual donation plus $392 season tickets.

Financing: In a testament to the power of Big Red, the project has already been paid off through previous contributions, Meyers said.