Off topic: Ideal size of a new NDSU football stadium?

[AKBison]

I hate the UND game, it's either win big or dismantle the program. I much prefer the hate of the UNI game and the brotherly love of the SDSU game. With that said, I need a break from the UN_ talk. *Assuming we move to FBS, get in a great conference, win the lottery etc etc, what is the ideal size stadium for NDSU?

My thoughts, since it needs to be an indoor stadium and a build once cry once scenario, 30k with a built in 5000-8000 expansion plan is probably about right. It needs to be larger for a couple reasons. The first is we need to be able to sell as many season tickets as possible. That and suites, clubs, etc are your AD funding models. The second is to keep ticket prices down. Having GA cheap seats where a family can attend for $100 is crucial. Boise does a great job of putting together these kind of packages. Those kids are your future students, alumni and donors and t shirt fans. Lastly, to bring in top tier G5 and low end P5 teams OOC, you need seating. Those teams don't travel to 19k stadiums and since those games are big ticket items, you need to be able take advantage of it. 20k + season tickets is easily doable. Since we count tickets sold that gives you very solid "attendance" throughout the year.

Thoughts?

Ok I feel better, now back to trashing the coaching staff.

[Professor Chaos]

Very much agree. They need capacity to maintain ticket revenue while giving entry level price points. If the goal is FBS there needs to be plans for a larger venue. The Fargodome is a very good for the FCS level. It's probably passable for a lower tier FBS program but will be more of a hindrance than an asset as an FBS venue.

As far as a capacity number, I think the important thing is to not be afraid of potential empty seats. A right sized stadium isn't one that sells out easily. 30k (or even 25k) is probably good for now but like you said it would be ideal to have options for future expansion.

[HerdBot]

30,000 with the ability to expand. You really don't need more than that. Even now, a homecoming game vs a good opponent or a game vs SDSU or UND would probably come close to 30k.

Just having a new stadium would attract some new fans

[HerdBot]

But if the city had anything to do with it, it would need to be built smartly and house events the dome doesn't or can't host. Given the fact the Bison wouldn't use the Fargodome, that would open up many more opportunities with less scheduling conflicts

But with a 30k seat indoor stadium, we could attract shows that draw 40k people with floor seating

[ndsubison1]

30K. Wouldn't mind a stadium similar to Utah State or FAU.

We can move to FBS with the dome, but once we get a new stadium regular season games would end late November/first week of December

[Hammerhead]

Still lots of old people and young kids who wouldn’t go to games In November outside when it starts getting colder.

30K. Wouldn't mind a stadium similar to Utah State or FAU.

We can move to FBS with the dome, but once we get a new stadium regular season games would end late November/first week of December

[taper]

As with anything, where's the money? I agree an indoor field is absolutely vital. We're just simply not going to get butts in seats late season without a roof. So what are some examples?
Syracuse has the largest dome of any college with the Carrier Dome, built in 1980 for $26M, or about $80M today, but that's not including the massive cost of replacing the inflatable roof with a fixed one. Roughly half the construction cost came from a state grant widely believed to be NY political corruption to buy votes. We're not going to get that. Between the Metrodome and the Dakota Dome at USD I think it's clear an inflatable roof isn't viable long term up here.

And that's it. The Fargodome is already the 2nd largest indoor college stadium. Everything else is from pro sports. To rebuild the Carrier Dome would take somewhere around $200-300M, possibly more.

I'm ignoring the Alamodome as it's a failed NFL stadium and very expensive.

[El_Chapo]

45,000 SEMI-ENCLOSED outdoor stadium (keep wind out)

4 corporate sponsors get each corner for $50 million over 25 years. (they can put products, have a full exhibit for every event/concert there too)

then raise $100million via teammakers

this would be easy, let NDSU architect/engineers build it saving money

[thebigund]

100,000 cmon you guys it Fargo you’re talking about here. It’s a big deal!

[EC8CH]

100,000 cmon you guys it Fargo you’re talking about here. It’s a big deal!

Who the fuck goes for a fourth down on their own 20 when they have the lead?