I posted this on the other thread and I think it bears repeating.
The psychological effect of a 35k stadium would have been huge.
The "message" to potential conference suitors would have been huge.
However the realities are these:
Football attendance is down nationwide.
In some markets (Miami for example), advertising revenue from the local television viewer eclipses what that revenue would be if that same fan went to the stadium.
ODU season ticket demand is down, due to many factors, including the conference move, easy availability of gameday tickets, reseating backlash, and of course television.
The Cox legislation has changed the landscape in Virginia for the foreseeable future; and before blaming Kirk's JMU affiliation, the Dukes were negatively impacted most of all.
Structural costs and housing relocation impact and costs aside (which were by no means trivial); Powhatan may have become a nightmarish, maybe even impossible task due to the pushback from Larchmont homeowners. We already have the grandfathered zoning and use permits for Foreman.
There is no evidence whatsoever that any AAC offer is imminent. Indeed the B12 speculation is just that, especially since the 12 team conference championship game was eliminated. Even IF the AAC chose to expand (they might not even if poached) there are other programs besides ODU that would merit just as much consideration if not more, than ODU.
This stadium addresses our immediate needs, while providing for future expansion needs and at the same time gives us an otherwise
first class venue and one that we still can afford.
IMO we should be happy and embrace it.