The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(12-18-2019 01:02 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  

(12-18-2019 09:38 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  

(12-17-2019 10:41 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  The overreaction to this stadium opposition is hilarious. Trying to keep the man (UAB) down.....lol. When people are critical of the basketball program they're........nevermind. It's not even worth discussing.

Go Blazers.

If you are a fan of UAB and have lived in Birmingham for any amount of time, you would know exactly what this crap is. You were probably one of the ones sitting there saying the football program was fine right before the shutdown too.

I was one of the ones saying even before the program was shut down saying it was going to be shutdown. I was told that I was wrong and that would never happen.

I don't think the City of Birmingham should be building a 45,000 seat stadium when we have two events that brings a larger attendance and more money in one year than 5 UAB Football seasons combined So Birmingham and city business leaders are bailing out UAB Football when an OCS is really needed but the BOT will not let UAB have. That's where your ire should lie; with the BOT.

That said, the stadium is going to be built with UAB in mind. Dirt has been dug and moved for the site. Nothing will stop this from happening now. Is that not enough for some of you?

I can think of a bunch of other matters some of you should be upset about but I guess it's easier to rant about two or three people who oppose a stadium design.

Not pointing at you directly but I think this is what the stadium "group" is really agitated about. It's being built for UABs needs and not some SEC/NFL fantasy.

Average attendance of Birmingham Bowl - 38,383. Of the 13 games, only two have had over the expected capacity of the new stadium- one was the Auburn/Memphis game, the other was when Ole Miss played in it. The idea that we need some 70,000 seat behemoth for the purpose of the bowl game is, as i noted earlier, stupid.

And this idea of "competing with other cities." Competing for what? Birmingham is never getting an NFL franchise. Ever. The SEC championship is not coming back to Birmingham. Ever. Why is there this need to feel like we're in some sort of competition? Birmingham, the metro area, the BJCC needs to do what is best for Birmingham, the metro area and the BJCC, irrespective of what some other city is doing. The arena remodel is a big deal that is going to be very good. Also the remodeling of the Sheraton. In that same vein, the BJCC has decided that this stadium design is what is best. I happen to think they're right- at least from what I've seen so far.

(12-18-2019 02:56 PM)BlazerGreen Wrote:  

(12-18-2019 01:02 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  

(12-18-2019 09:38 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  

(12-17-2019 10:41 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  The overreaction to this stadium opposition is hilarious. Trying to keep the man (UAB) down.....lol. When people are critical of the basketball program they're........nevermind. It's not even worth discussing.

Go Blazers.

If you are a fan of UAB and have lived in Birmingham for any amount of time, you would know exactly what this crap is. You were probably one of the ones sitting there saying the football program was fine right before the shutdown too.

I was one of the ones saying even before the program was shut down saying it was going to be shutdown. I was told that I was wrong and that would never happen.

I don't think the City of Birmingham should be building a 45,000 seat stadium when we have two events that brings a larger attendance and more money in one year than 5 UAB Football seasons combined So Birmingham and city business leaders are bailing out UAB Football when an OCS is really needed but the BOT will not let UAB have. That's where your ire should lie; with the BOT.

That said, the stadium is going to be built with UAB in mind. Dirt has been dug and moved for the site. Nothing will stop this from happening now. Is that not enough for some of you?

I can think of a bunch of other matters some of you should be upset about but I guess it's easier to rant about two or three people who oppose a stadium design.

Not pointing at you directly but I think this is what the stadium "group" is really agitated about. It's being built for UABs needs and not some SEC/NFL fantasy.

I thought this whole thing was about the lack of seating on the "home side" of the field. Regardless, UAB Football needs are being met and a few voices of discontent isn't going to stop the show.

(12-18-2019 02:55 PM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  I'm torn. On one hand I happy that the city is doing SOMETHING! It took 25 years for us to even get here. On the other hand with this 45,000 seat facility, what cities are you competing with? I mean you've basically built an updated version of Bobby Dodd Stadium downtown that smaller than your current facility. It's very small time thinking from a city that claims to want to compete with other cities in the region. I assumed when folks said that they meant Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte but it seems what Birmingham will be competing with is Columbus, Ga, Tuscaloosa, Meridian, Ms, and etc.

Birmingham hasn't been on the level of competing with Atlanta since the 80s, if then, and the ship sailed on competing with Nashville or Charlotte around the time that MAPS was voted down

In the past 20 years that Birmingham has been fighting with itself to not do anything good, those other cities have all passed Birmingham by. I would've agreed with you in 2002, but it's not 2002 or 1996 anymore

And I 100% agree with the sentiment about trying to get an SEC game or NFL team here. Birmingham could build a clone of Mercedes Benz Stadium and the Chick Fil A kickoff game isn't coming here, the SEC championship isn't coming back, and an NFL team isn't coming. It's great to dream big dreams, but it's also important to live in the world of what is possible. You should stretch your goals, but not to the point that you should be admitted to a mental hospital

(12-19-2019 09:06 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(12-18-2019 02:55 PM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  I'm torn. On one hand I happy that the city is doing SOMETHING! It took 25 years for us to even get here. On the other hand with this 45,000 seat facility, what cities are you competing with? I mean you've basically built an updated version of Bobby Dodd Stadium downtown that smaller than your current facility. It's very small time thinking from a city that claims to want to compete with other cities in the region. I assumed when folks said that they meant Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte but it seems what Birmingham will be competing with is Columbus, Ga, Tuscaloosa, Meridian, Ms, and etc.

Birmingham hasn't been on the level of competing with Atlanta since the 80s, if then, and the ship sailed on competing with Nashville or Charlotte around the time that MAPS was voted down

In the past 20 years that Birmingham has been fighting with itself to not do anything good, those other cities have all passed Birmingham by. I would've agreed with you in 2002, but it's not 2002 or 1996 anymore

And I 100% agree with the sentiment about trying to get an SEC game or NFL team here. Birmingham could build a clone of Mercedes Benz Stadium and the Chick Fil A kickoff game isn't coming here, the SEC championship isn't coming back, and an NFL team isn't coming. It's great to dream big dreams, but it's also important to live in the world of what is possible. You should stretch your goals, but not to the point that you should be admitted to a mental hospital

Which goes back to the point of what's good for UAB and what's good for Birmingham? What would have been good for Birmingham would have been an adequate replacement for Legion Field which isn't Protective Stadium isn't. What would have been good for UAB is an OCS which Protective Stadium isn't.

Birmingham knows (or should know) the SEC Championship Game isn't coming back. But to say there would not have been an opportunity to get an NFL Preseason Game would not have been out of the question. We also know that UAB isn't going to fill a 45,000 seat stadium. The top teams in the AAC aren't averaging 45,000 fans a game, not even UCF. UAB needed a 30,000 seat OCS. Protective Stadium isn't the perfect solution for either Birmingham or UAB, but it's what we have so no use in crying over spilled milk.

Besides, what we are really competing with Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis, and Charlotte for is conventions which is why the BJCC Arena is getting a makeover. Which is why the Brown-Marx Bldg across the street from Elyton Hotel will become a hotel. Birmingham needs more hotels to accommodate these bigger conventions. Birmingham will also get back into contention for 2nd and 3rd round games of the NCAA Tournament. I'm more excited about these new attractions than the stadium itself.

(12-19-2019 10:09 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  

(12-19-2019 09:06 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(12-18-2019 02:55 PM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  I'm torn. On one hand I happy that the city is doing SOMETHING! It took 25 years for us to even get here. On the other hand with this 45,000 seat facility, what cities are you competing with? I mean you've basically built an updated version of Bobby Dodd Stadium downtown that smaller than your current facility. It's very small time thinking from a city that claims to want to compete with other cities in the region. I assumed when folks said that they meant Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte but it seems what Birmingham will be competing with is Columbus, Ga, Tuscaloosa, Meridian, Ms, and etc.

Birmingham hasn't been on the level of competing with Atlanta since the 80s, if then, and the ship sailed on competing with Nashville or Charlotte around the time that MAPS was voted down

In the past 20 years that Birmingham has been fighting with itself to not do anything good, those other cities have all passed Birmingham by. I would've agreed with you in 2002, but it's not 2002 or 1996 anymore

And I 100% agree with the sentiment about trying to get an SEC game or NFL team here. Birmingham could build a clone of Mercedes Benz Stadium and the Chick Fil A kickoff game isn't coming here, the SEC championship isn't coming back, and an NFL team isn't coming. It's great to dream big dreams, but it's also important to live in the world of what is possible. You should stretch your goals, but not to the point that you should be admitted to a mental hospital

Which goes back to the point of what's good for UAB and what's good for Birmingham? What would have been good for Birmingham would have been an adequate replacement for Legion Field which isn't Protective Stadium isn't. What would have been good for UAB is an OCS which Protective Stadium isn't.

Birmingham knows (or should know) the SEC Championship Game isn't coming back. But to say there would not have been an opportunity to get an NFL Preseason Game would not have been out of the question. We also know that UAB isn't going to fill a 45,000 seat stadium. The top teams in the AAC aren't averaging 45,000 fans a game, not even UCF. UAB needed a 30,000 seat OCS. Protective Stadium isn't the perfect solution for either Birmingham or UAB, but it's what we have so no use in crying over spilled milk.

Besides, what we are really competing with Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis, and Charlotte for is conventions which is why the BJCC Arena is getting a makeover. Which is why the Brown-Marx Bldg across the street from Elyton Hotel will become a hotel. Birmingham needs more hotels to accommodate these bigger conventions. Birmingham will also get back into contention for 2nd and 3rd round games of the NCAA Tournament. I'm more excited about these new attractions than the stadium itself.

Yep!

Birmingham is not competing with Atlanta for the conventions that go to Atlanta. The Democratic or Republican conventions aren't coming here, either. You're right about the NCAA tournament but that is the Arena, not the football stadium. And my point(s) about the Magic City Classic 100% apply to a mythical NFL preseason game. It's not worth having an albatross of a huge stadium just for one game that might happen

And again, I agree with you an on campus stadium would be better for UAB but that isn't going to happen, so why keep complaining about it and trying to kill the BJCC stadium? If the BJCC stadium gets killed or built to 70,000 seats, UAB will either be playing at Legion Field or the oversized BJCC stadium.

(12-20-2019 07:23 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  Birmingham is not competing with Atlanta for the conventions that go to Atlanta. The Democratic or Republican conventions aren't coming here, either. You're right about the NCAA tournament but that is the Arena, not the football stadium. And my point(s) about the Magic City Classic 100% apply to a mythical NFL preseason game. It's not worth having an albatross of a huge stadium just for one game that might happen

And again, I agree with you an on campus stadium would be better for UAB but that isn't going to happen, so why keep complaining about it and trying to kill the BJCC stadium? If the BJCC stadium gets killed or built to 70,000 seats, UAB will either be playing at Legion Field or the oversized BJCC stadium.

There are more big conventions then just political party conventions. As for the Magic City Classic, that one game will bring in more money than 6 UAB home games. Protective Stadium needed to be a 55,000 seat stadium which isn't an albatross or oversized and would be able to accommodate the Classic and UAB Football. We can easily debate what events would and would not come to Birmingham, the point is you limit your options with a 45,000 seat stadium.

The opposition is complaining about the seating structure. They're not against the stadium being built. UAB people are voicing their discontent about the opposition. Both parties have the right to do what they're doing. It's not a big deal but that's just my opinion.

(12-20-2019 08:17 AM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  

(12-20-2019 07:23 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  Birmingham is not competing with Atlanta for the conventions that go to Atlanta. The Democratic or Republican conventions aren't coming here, either. You're right about the NCAA tournament but that is the Arena, not the football stadium. And my point(s) about the Magic City Classic 100% apply to a mythical NFL preseason game. It's not worth having an albatross of a huge stadium just for one game that might happen

And again, I agree with you an on campus stadium would be better for UAB but that isn't going to happen, so why keep complaining about it and trying to kill the BJCC stadium? If the BJCC stadium gets killed or built to 70,000 seats, UAB will either be playing at Legion Field or the oversized BJCC stadium.

There are more big conventions then just political party conventions. As for the Magic City Classic, that one game will bring in more money than 6 UAB home games. Protective Stadium needed to be a 55,000 seat stadium which isn't an albatross or oversized and would be able to accommodate the Classic and UAB Football. We can easily debate what events would and would not come to Birmingham, the point is you limit your options with a 45,000 seat stadium.

The opposition is complaining about the seating structure. They're not against the stadium being built. UAB people are voicing their discontent about the opposition. Both parties have the right to do what they're doing. It's not a big deal but that's just my opinion.

The stadium is 45,000 with the possibility to expand to 55,000 if it is ever needed. Why go straight to 55k or 60k now. Build the 45k and see what happens over the next few years. If more seats are needed then they can be easily added in the off season.
Also you talk as if the Classic is gonna leave the city with the money it brings in. The Classic is gonna be here weather its at Legion or at Protective. So who cares where it is played as long as Birmingham keeps it.

(12-20-2019 10:13 AM)WhatIsThisFeeling Wrote:  The stadium is 45,000 with the possibility to expand to 55,000 if it is ever needed. Why go straight to 55k or 60k now. Build the 45k and see what happens over the next few years. If more seats are needed then they can be easily added in the off season.
Also you talk as if the Classic is gonna leave the city with the money it brings in. The Classic is gonna be here weather its at Legion or at Protective. So who cares where it is played as long as Birmingham keeps it.

I guarantee you the Classic will never be played at Protective as long as Legion Field is standing. The day Legion Field is gone and Protective is still sitting at 45,000 seats, the Classic will be played somewhere else other than Birmingham. And simply adding seats will cost money. Who's going to pay to have these seats added?

I like how so of you try to downplay the importance of the Classic and think there are no other options available for the game. You do know that Atlanta and New Orleans have tried to have this game moved to their cities. The Classic bring over 60,000 fans annually not to include another 25-30,000 fans that are simply tailgating outside of the stadium while the game is going on.

Anywho, this isn't an issue right now because the Classic will stay at Legion Field and there are no immediate plans to tear the Old Grey Lady down. That's good for Birmingham.

(12-20-2019 12:25 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  

(12-20-2019 10:13 AM)WhatIsThisFeeling Wrote:  The stadium is 45,000 with the possibility to expand to 55,000 if it is ever needed. Why go straight to 55k or 60k now. Build the 45k and see what happens over the next few years. If more seats are needed then they can be easily added in the off season.
Also you talk as if the Classic is gonna leave the city with the money it brings in. The Classic is gonna be here weather its at Legion or at Protective. So who cares where it is played as long as Birmingham keeps it.

I guarantee you the Classic will never be played at Protective as long as Legion Field is standing. The day Legion Field is gone and Protective is still sitting at 45,000 seats, the Classic will be played somewhere else other than Birmingham. And simply adding seats will cost money. Who's going to pay to have these seats added?

I like how so of you try to downplay the importance of the Classic and think there are no other options available for the game. You do know that Atlanta and New Orleans have tried to have this game moved to their cities. The Classic bring over 60,000 fans annually not to include another 25-30,000 fans that are simply tailgating outside of the stadium while the game is going on.

Anywho, this isn't an issue right now because the Classic will stay at Legion Field and there are no immediate plans to tear the Old Grey Lady down. That's good for Birmingham.

If they want to expand the BJCC will find a way to expand.
Who on here has said the Classic isn't important or that they don't care about it? I work with a lot of A&M and State alumni so I know the importance of the classic and what it draws to Birmingham and the dollars it brings.
This is a UAB board. So forgive the posters on here for not caring about ONE event that comes to this city every year since it has nothing to do with UAB.
Damn dude.

The BJCC Board of Directors approved Brasfield & Gorrie’s bid to start building Protective Stadium. Cost: $179,958,150.

Smaller venues are the future for live sports. Birmingham is actually ahead of the curve for once. Very pleased to read there is fixed seating for slightly less than 40,000. A perfect fit for UAB.

(12-20-2019 12:54 PM)WhatIsThisFeeling Wrote:  This is a UAB board. So forgive the posters on here for not caring about ONE event that comes to this city every year since it has nothing to do with UAB.
Damn dude.

(12-20-2019 12:54 PM)WhatIsThisFeeling Wrote:  This is a UAB board. So forgive the posters on here for not caring about ONE event that comes to this city every year since it has nothing to do with UAB.
Damn dude.

A-f'n-men. I, and a vast majority of the people on this board, are not taxpayers in the City of Birmingham. I, and a vast majority of the people on this board are not alumni of A&M or ASU

I am not against the Magic City Classic happening, and hope they continue to put on many successful events in the years to come. I hope they play at the BJCC, but if they continue to play at Legion Field or leave Birmingham altogether, it's really none of my business. There's so much talk around here about the Classic and non-UAB uses for the new stadium from people who actually in the grand scheme of things have no stake in the non-UAB aspects it's ridiculous

This used to be a UAB message board, a long time ago

The last reply is nuts. Paranoia out of control. The stadium design, specifically the luxury boxes and press box, look very different compared to other stadium designs. If the stadium was ever expanded on the press box side I bet the luxury boxes and press box would need to be torn down and rebuilt? That is my opinion and I want a new stadium. I just don't like the design of the press box side of stadium. Obviously I'm not the only person feeling that way.

Well I'm for the City of Birmingham and its best interest. So many people on this board has dog this city for so many different reasons and some of it is justified. But this stadium belongs to Birmingham, not UAB. UAB is having to pay rent for this stadium because of the sorry ass leadership that UAB is governed under.

And the MCC is the most important and highest revenue generating sports event this city has. UAB Football will never come close to the importance of the MCC in Birmingham. You should be grateful Birmingham and city businessmen bailed UAB Football from the purgatory that is Legion Field.

If I have pissed some of you off because of my stance, mission accomplished.

Now I'm going to the French Quarters to finish getting my drank on and get ready for the game tomorrow night.

Bye Felicia!

(12-20-2019 11:01 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  Well I'm for the City of Birmingham and its best interest. So many people on this board has dog this city for so many different reasons and some of it is justified.

I have no ill will towards the City of Birmingham (or ASU, A&M, and the Classic for that matter). I lived there for 10 years and lived in the metro area my whole life until 3 years ago. I honestly hope the best for them. However, as someone who has no stake in the city, and certainly as someone who doesn't pay taxes there, it's really none of my business *what* they do with Legion Field after UAB leaves or with the Classic. If it's not directly impacting UAB, I'm not a stakeholder

(12-20-2019 11:01 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  But this stadium belongs to Birmingham, not UAB. UAB is having to pay rent for this stadium because of the sorry ass leadership that UAB is governed under.

Again, the stadium belongs to the BJCC Authority, which is a state-level institution, it is not part of the City of Birmingham. Also, *UAB AND ITS SUPPORTERS ARE CONTRIBUTING MONEY* to the stadium. They are not merely a tenant. They get a really sweet primary tenant deal that gives them all kinds of priority, including design priority, because they are helping to pay for the thing. If ASU/A&M want to have a say in its design, let them put up tens of millions of dollars and give up some of the revenue they get

(12-20-2019 11:01 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  And the MCC is the most important and highest revenue generating sports event this city has.

I don't care if the Magic City Classic is the biggest and most important and highest revenue generating sports event in the State of Alabama, I'm only concerned with what's best for UAB, and what's best for UAB is a smaller stadium that it has the chance to sell out, not a 70,000 seat cavernous coliseum that will always look like UAB is Calera High School out there on the field.

(12-20-2019 11:01 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  UAB Football will never come close to the importance of the MCC in Birmingham.

Why are you even here? ASU/A&M forums are that way. UAB Football is about more than just gameday. UAB is infinitely more important, as an institution, than the Magic City Classic. It's more important to the State of Alabama than an entire season of University of Alabama football. And football is important to UAB as a university, so that means it's important to Birmingham. I'm not going to sit here and try to explain why UAB football having the best chance to succeed is important. With friends like this, who needs enemies

(12-20-2019 11:01 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  You should be grateful Birmingham and city businessmen bailed UAB Football from the purgatory that is Legion Field.

I am. I'm also not sure why that means UAB should be accepting a worse stadium to accommodate the Classic

(12-20-2019 09:56 PM)bigdunks Wrote:  The last reply is nuts. Paranoia out of control. The stadium design, specifically the luxury boxes and press box, look very different compared to other stadium designs. If the stadium was ever expanded on the press box side I bet the luxury boxes and press box would need to be torn down and rebuilt? That is my opinion and I want a new stadium. I just don't like the design of the press box side of stadium. Obviously I'm not the only person feeling that way.

The stadium is being designed with expandability in mind. It will be expandable to 55k out of the box, and no it will not require tearing down the press or luxury boxes.

How many degrees in architecture and engineering do you have? Lot of people with "opinions" about this who actually have zero idea what on Earth they're talking about

the stadium will be fill because it will be affordable for family and people here love COLLEGE football
For the classic , i never been but talking to my friends who went many time ,,,,most of the action is outside the stadium and most dont even go inside the stadium

i wish i was in new orlean ,,,
This stadium will be an improvement to legion field and that is the most important facts
The contract was given to a bhm firm and i proud of it and i hope they will do a good job and done in time

(12-21-2019 08:13 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(12-20-2019 11:01 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  Well I'm for the City of Birmingham and its best interest. So many people on this board has dog this city for so many different reasons and some of it is justified.

I have no ill will towards the City of Birmingham (or ASU, A&M, and the Classic for that matter). I lived there for 10 years and lived in the metro area my whole life until 3 years ago. I honestly hope the best for them. However, as someone who has no stake in the city, and certainly as someone who doesn't pay taxes there, it's really none of my business *what* they do with Legion Field after UAB leaves or with the Classic. If it's not directly impacting UAB, I'm not a stakeholder

(12-20-2019 11:01 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  But this stadium belongs to Birmingham, not UAB. UAB is having to pay rent for this stadium because of the sorry ass leadership that UAB is governed under.

Again, the stadium belongs to the BJCC Authority, which is a state-level institution, it is not part of the City of Birmingham. Also, *UAB AND ITS SUPPORTERS ARE CONTRIBUTING MONEY* to the stadium. They are not merely a tenant. They get a really sweet primary tenant deal that gives them all kinds of priority, including design priority, because they are helping to pay for the thing. If ASU/A&M want to have a say in its design, let them put up tens of millions of dollars and give up some of the revenue they get

(12-20-2019 11:01 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  And the MCC is the most important and highest revenue generating sports event this city has.

I don't care if the Magic City Classic is the biggest and most important and highest revenue generating sports event in the State of Alabama, I'm only concerned with what's best for UAB, and what's best for UAB is a smaller stadium that it has the chance to sell out, not a 70,000 seat cavernous coliseum that will always look like UAB is Calera High School out there on the field.

(12-20-2019 11:01 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  UAB Football will never come close to the importance of the MCC in Birmingham.

Why are you even here? ASU/A&M forums are that way. UAB Football is about more than just gameday. UAB is infinitely more important, as an institution, than the Magic City Classic. It's more important to the State of Alabama than an entire season of University of Alabama football. And football is important to UAB as a university, so that means it's important to Birmingham. I'm not going to sit here and try to explain why UAB football having the best chance to succeed is important. With friends like this, who needs enemies

(12-20-2019 11:01 PM)HiddenDragon Wrote:  You should be grateful Birmingham and city businessmen bailed UAB Football from the purgatory that is Legion Field.

I am. I'm also not sure why that means UAB should be accepting a worse stadium to accommodate the Classic

(12-20-2019 09:56 PM)bigdunks Wrote:  The last reply is nuts. Paranoia out of control. The stadium design, specifically the luxury boxes and press box, look very different compared to other stadium designs. If the stadium was ever expanded on the press box side I bet the luxury boxes and press box would need to be torn down and rebuilt? That is my opinion and I want a new stadium. I just don't like the design of the press box side of stadium. Obviously I'm not the only person feeling that way.

The stadium is being designed with expandability in mind. It will be expandable to 55k out of the box, and no it will not require tearing down the press or luxury boxes.

How many degrees in architecture and engineering do you have? Lot of people with "opinions" about this who actually have zero idea what on Earth they're talking about

you don't need a degree in architecture or engineering to know you cant add seats where there is an existing structure. sure you could add even more crappy seats in the corners but with the current design the number of prime seats was severely limited. that has been the main complaint from those who are unhappy with the design. Is the new design better than Legion Field? Of course it is and by a huge margin. Some people are upset because they know it could have been better and when they brought up their concerns last January and numerous times since then they were misled and lied to.