(05-17-2023 01:53 PM)otown Wrote:  

(05-17-2023 01:44 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(05-17-2023 10:06 AM)otown Wrote:  

(05-17-2023 09:47 AM)ArmoredUpKnight Wrote:  

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Initial price tag: $340 million
University Funded: $140 million
Seeking Loan: $200 million, 20 years, 5.5% fixed interest rate

Stadium will be 35,000-seat structure

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Considering the AAC payout is only about $7 million a year...

That's a huge commitment from the University. No one can ever say USF isn't All-In on Athletics anymore.

Its actually 5.5% fixed 20 years. First 3 years interest only. So the payments for the remaining 17 years is $1.522 million monthly.....comes out to an annual commitment of $18.264 million. That is a lot of red considering the AAC payout money. Maybe they make it up on the gate, which is only possible if they have great attendance. Of note, they will no longer be able to schedule ND or Alabama etc considering it is an on campus 35,000 seat stadium and not Ray Jay anymore.

With those numbers, I suspect the stadium will almost surely lose money as far as the eye can see and require ongoing subsidization.

Sure its a money loser, but only in the AAC. This stadium would not have been considered if the administration did not feel there is a good chance to move up to a power conference and potentially make greater than 4 times the money.

That seems like a pretty big gamble. Most speculation I've seen suggests 72 teams could be the max for an end game at the top level of college sports. With 69 already holding a golden ticket, that leaves only 3 spots for P5 wannabes. USF could be one of them, but they're not a lock by any means. If they get beat out this could be an expensive G5 stadium.