I can't figure out what the point would be of increasing the size of the stadium unless it would be to increase the percentage of empty seats. I checked their attendance figures from last year. They failed to sell out a single game in a 50,000 seat stadium. Their last home game, when they were 7-3 had 38,162.
Agreed. Jury's still out on guys like Saban, Meyer, Dabo, etc, as to whether they will be successful where they are.
My guess is that what he is saying is that in three years he hopes to have Minnesota playing at such a high caliber that ticket demand will soar. Fat chance.
Western Michigan has a 30,000 seat stadium. Just getting Minnesota to sell out their 50,000 seat stadium on a regular basis would be an accomplishment. Thinking he can get them to the point where they need to add 35,000 seats is a ridiculous pipe dream. It's a pro sports market-that kind of interest just isn't there.
My biggest fear would be that the Vikings go in the tank, the Wolves continue to suck and the Twins remain terrible, if the Gophers put a winning product on the field, they could grow. But I totally agree, 85k is a pipe dream that will never happen.
A few thoughts on the subject. First of all Jerry Kill has been a strange story lately. He left on his own accord, team has a huge sex scandal under his former assistants, they get fired and he is upset. Takes another coaching job at Rutgers of all places, despite his health. Most Gophers fans don't know what to think of Kill anymore. Most are happy with the hiring of Fleck, very positive guy with a ton of energy, but no Gopher fans are buying the 85000 seat stadium.
Living here in the twin cities, Kill was a great coach who started the turnaround. To see him now sure seems odd, as all he has been doing is discrediting Minnesota. I always liked him but he sure could be a little more gracious...
It makes me wonder how "voluntary" his resignation really was.
