LSU Exploring Expansion Of Tiger Stadium

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Across the country, falling attendance numbers are putting a scare into many, many professional teams.  Watching games at home in HD a lot less stressful than driving to, parking at, and buying a seat at the local stadium.  Staying at home also has the added benefit of being a heckuva lot cheaper.

Some sports analysts are even talking about what was once unthinkable — building smaller stadiums that provide more amenities than the current behemoths.  Fewer seats, more luxury boxes, better sight lines, etc. 

And now consider what’s going on in Baton Rouge.  LSU is surveying its season-ticket holders to see if there is need to expand Tiger Stadium.  Yeah, that’s right.  Opposing teams might soon be facing a bigger, louder Death Valley.

While many sports officials are scratching their heads and wondering if they need to contract and spruce up their stadiums, LSU is looking at expanding.  That certainly speaks to the passion of the Tiger fanbase.

“This is something that may or may not happen, but you have to start somewhere in terms of gauging interest of fans,” LSU associate AD Herb Vincent told The Associated Press.  “There might be interest, but we have to know how much people are willing to pay and how does that balance out with how much the cost would be.”

According to The AP, one thought is to add a club lounge to the 92,400-seat stadium.  Also, new suite leases could run anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000 per year.

Keep in mind that schools — in this economy — are trying to squeeze every dime they can from fans and boosters.  So if spending X million on stadium expansion would bring in X million + 1 in revenue, expansion will be considered.

But LSU officials also must consider what would happen if the Tigers’ football fortunes turned south for some reason.  Remember, there was a lengthy decline in Bayou gridiron fortunes before Nick Saban arrived and tapped into Louisiana’s deep talent pipeline.  If something were to change — and every program goes through highs and lows — would an expanded yet less-filled Tiger Stadium be a negative?  That will definitely be discussed… just maybe not with the local newspaper.

LSU sold out all seven home games last season.