Kansas makes significant football investment as Jayhawks announce plans for $300M facility upgrades

Kansas football introduced plans for a significant renovation of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and the encompassing space on Tuesday. The wide-ranging facility upgrades will value greater than $300 million and are anticipated to be finished by means of the 2025 college football season. 

The unveiling of the plans comes not up to 365 days after trainer Lance Leipold signed a freelance extension thru 2029 with provisions within the deal particularly focused on amenities. If “meaningful and substantial” growth was once now not made towards renovations of the Anderson Family Football Complex and Memorial Stadium by means of Dec. 13, 2023, Leipold had the right to terminate his contract with out a buyout owed to the college. 

Facility spending is a given within the recreation, however this degree of investment in football is off the charts for Kansas athletics. Until 2014, Memorial Stadium had a monitor across the football box. Moderate renovations came about in 2017. However, the approaching renovation alerts a special degree of investment, together with mixed-use construction within the new Gateway District, primary sports activities drugs amenities and a scholar services and products middle. Development of the football facility started with new locker rooms and a weight room printed previous this month. 

“The cumulative impact of a world-class football operations complex and one of the finest game day venues in the country catapults Kansas football, and our entire athletics program, into this critical next chapter,” Kansas athletic director Travis Goff mentioned in a remark. “We have a proud history, but this unprecedented investment makes a powerful statement about an even brighter future and provides far-reaching impact for our university community, fans and football program.” 

The college has already raised $165 million for the mission, which is not going to come with any common state or college budget. The college might also factor bonds to hide unpaid portions of the stadium, which might be recouped by means of stadium earnings down the road. 

Kansas football will proceed to play at David Booth Memorial Stadium all through the renovation, which can closing throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In 2024, the stadium capability will probably be briefly lowered. The construct will probably be controlled by means of Turner Construction Company and can start development in December 2023. 

Big-time investment

Kansas boasts one of the most nice basketball venues in school athletics, however the football program has been rather of an afterthought. The Jayhawks have now not received a convention championship since 1968 and feature spent the simpler a part of their life within the Big 12 as a bottom-feeder. From 2010-21, Kansas posted an unthinkable 23-118 file. 

Leipold’s good fortune in 2023, alternatively, has helped the college see what is imaginable. Kansas went 6-7 and earned a bowl travel for the primary time since 2008 in Leipold’s 2nd season. The Jayhawks performed nationwide finalist TCU inside one rating and have been a 2-point conversion clear of tying Arkansas of their bowl sport. More importantly, Kansas posted its first sellouts in 4 years. 

Kansas basketball is a formidable emblem, however football has confirmed to be the principle motive force in convention realignment. The Jayhawks athletic division seems to be prioritizing the well being of its football program as it enters a brand new Big 12 generation in 2023.