Univ. of Kansas athletics on Friday "unveiled renderings for the renovation of 97-year-old Memorial Stadium," part of a five-year, $350M fundraising effort, according to Jesse Newell of the K.C. STAR. The project, called "Raise The Chant," will earmark roughly $315M for football while also "providing upgrades for Allen Fieldhouse, volleyball's Horejsi Center and baseball's Hoglund Ballpark." There are also plans to construct a $15M indoor football practice facility "immediately following this season" and make $170M in "improvements to the south end zone and west side of the stadium." The north end zone and stadium's east side will be enhanced at a "to-be-determined time." The $130M overhaul would "include Legacy Loge Boxes with in-seat service." KU "didn't announce what the new capacity would be or how many suites would be added, but renderings of the project show two new video boards in the north end zone, with the east and west stands splitting into multiple tiers with new suites." KU alum David Booth -- whose name is on the KU Hall of Athletics -- has made a $50M pledge, the "largest in the program's history." Additionally, longtime KU benefactor Stu Horejsi had pledged $10M for the "new 3,000-seat volleyball arena" (K.C. STAR, 9/23).
CHALK IT UP: KU AD Sheahon Zenger announced that the school has “signed a new deal with Adidas" that will provide $191M in sponsorship and apparel over the next 14 years. RIVALS.com's Jon Kirby noted the deal will pay the school $13.6M a year and “would be the second largest Adidas contract among all colleges.” Kansas’ pact would surpass Adidas’ $160M deal with Louisville in “total dollars” to be the “largest-known” deal for Adidas at the college level. KU was “under an agreement with Adidas” until ‘19. But the new deal will “take over now replacing the final two years and add 12 more to the total” (RIVALS.com, 9/22).
