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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.

To me this looks like a Realignment or Bust scenario
(For the record, I am Pro-USF to Big 12 because I enjoy the rivalry

UPDATE: USF BOT approved the $340 million plan

That is a lot of money.

(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

---

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.

They better be able to sell a number of suites and club seats to make this stadium pay for itself.

(05-17-2023 10:06 AM)otown Wrote:  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.

Cincinnati occasionally plays games off campus in the local NFL stadium. I imagine South Florida could do the same.

15-20 years too late.

There's a school that got too comfortable with themselves in the late aughts and has now watched their main rival leave them for a tweener conference.

Maybe I was a little unfair in the OP.

USF fans on Twitter have correctly pointed out there will also be revenue generated:
- Stadium Naming Rights
- Season ticket sales
- Premium Seating and Club Access
- Concessions
- In-Stadium Advertising
- Parking

Its not entirely dependent on the AAC payout to pay for the stadium. There are still all the regular Athletic Operating Expenses too.

In my opinion, and I may be wrong, but USF needs to jump to P5 in order to pay off the load via the Athletic Department.

Also, probably an unpopular opinion, Its completely understandable if the University decides not to charge back the Athletic Department in today's market. USF the University is good for it. Investing in your Athletics shouldn't be frowned upon.

(05-17-2023 10:13 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  There's a school that got too comfortable with themselves in the late aughts and has now watched their main rival leave them for a tweener conference.

Yep, while USF is still stuck in the strongest G5 conference........

The stadium will raise a lot of money, and rent on RJ stadium will be gone. All parking and food/beverage $$ will be kept in house. I expect they will be ok.

Construction is supposed to start this year. Super quick timeline.

If they go P5 is 35k the right size for them?

(05-17-2023 10:49 AM)Bluedevil16 Wrote:  If they go P5 is 35k the right size for them?

Yes, SDSU is the same. Sports attendance has been declining nationwide since 2008. Just make it the most premium experience for as many of those 35k seats as possible so it's higher revenue.

So the big question is..........
USF has the following at home OOC games 2026 and beyond:
2027 Louisville (doubt they would care)
2029 Notre Dame (they will probably force Ray Jay or buy out the game)
2029 NC State (probably stays in OCS)

(05-17-2023 11:11 AM)otown Wrote:  Does USF have any marquee (ie Alabama, Florida, Miami, ND) OOC games scheduled in 2026 or later in Tampa? If they do, will they be played at Ray Jay or in the new stadium?

2027 Home vs Louisville
2029 Home vs. NC State and Notre Dame


USF has home gaves vs. Alabama and Miami between now and 2026. These will be played at RJS.

As of right now, the stadium will be opened with FIU.

Good for the South Florida Golden Brahman!

(05-17-2023 11:18 AM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  

(05-17-2023 11:11 AM)otown Wrote:  Does USF have any marquee (ie Alabama, Florida, Miami, ND) OOC games scheduled in 2026 or later in Tampa? If they do, will they be played at Ray Jay or in the new stadium?

2027 Home vs Louisville
2029 Home vs. NC State and Notre Dame


USF has home gaves vs. Alabama and Miami between now and 2026. These will be played at RJS.

As of right now, the stadium will be opened with FIU.

The only team I see that will make it a deal breaker is ND. I cannot see them agreeing to the venue change........

(05-17-2023 10:49 AM)Bluedevil16 Wrote:  If they go P5 is 35k the right size for them?

Based on San Diego State, this won't hurt USF.

At 340M, this will be the nicest new OCS built recently. As good or better than SDSU and Colo St.

(05-17-2023 11:20 AM)otown Wrote:  

(05-17-2023 11:18 AM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  

(05-17-2023 11:11 AM)otown Wrote:  Does USF have any marquee (ie Alabama, Florida, Miami, ND) OOC games scheduled in 2026 or later in Tampa? If they do, will they be played at Ray Jay or in the new stadium?

2027 Home vs Louisville
2029 Home vs. NC State and Notre Dame


USF has home gaves vs. Alabama and Miami between now and 2026. These will be played at RJS.

As of right now, the stadium will be opened with FIU.

The only team I see that will make it a deal breaker is ND. I cannot see them agreeing to the venue change........

Maybe so. Personally, I don't care if the one off game like this is moved to RJS.

Great news for USF fans!