Sooooo, about that stadium project?

[18IsTheMan]

It was 2/7/2023 when Ray dropped the absolute bombshell that the University had filed a request for information. Per the stadium project website (https://gamecocksonline.com/stadiumproject/) they were supposed to get information back from the RFI last March. Also says the website will be updated as new information is released, but it doesn't appear that there have been updates at all (obviously as the most recent info says the response to the RFI was due last March).

There was some news last July about updates to WB itself, but haven't heard a peep about the land development since Ray shocked the world last February.

 

[92Pony]

 

[muscleknight]

USC should concentrate on Assembly street. Get rid of the old baseball stadium. Just build apartment buildings and that would look 100% better than the old buildings there now.

 

[Hobcawcreekcock]

Bought the land between Bluff Rd and The Congaree River. Plans are for a golf course, rent the land out to retailers, restaurants, bars, and lodging. These leases are supposed to finance the changes coming to WB. Might be rather drastic from what I heard?

 

[KOTR]

Bought the land between Bluff Rd and The Congaree River. Plans are for a golf course, rent the land out to retailers, restaurants, bars, and lodging. These leases are supposed to finance the changes coming to WB. Might be rather drastic from what I heard?

I would take reduced capacity if it meant all the seats had backs and a defined space like in the club areas.

 

[LonghornsGamecocks]

USC should concentrate on Assembly street. Get rid of the old baseball stadium. Just build apartment buildings and that would look 100% better than the old buildings there now.

Assembly from Blossom to George Rogers has been an eyesore my entire live. It's a damn shame the city and university have failed to see the importance and potential of that corridor

 

[LonghornsGamecocks]

It was 2/7/2023 when Ray dropped the absolute bombshell that the University had filed a request for information. Per the stadium project website (https://gamecocksonline.com/stadiumproject/) they were supposed to get information back from the RFI last March. Also says the website will be updated as new information is released, but it doesn't appear that there have been updates at all (obviously as the most recent info says the response to the RFI was due last March).

This reeked of poorly thought out and over-the-skis from the press conference.

No evidence that it's anything other than ill-conceived and poorly managed to this point.

 

[mickray]

This reeked of poorly thought out and over-the-skis from the press conference.

No evidence that it's anything other than ill-conceived and poorly managed to this point.

Dreaming...

 

[18IsTheMan]

This reeked of poorly thought out and over-the-skis from the press conference.

No evidence that it's anything other than ill-conceived and poorly managed to this point.

Yeah, it’s a been a year since the announcement and there hasn’t been the slightest peep. Not even on the RFI that was supposed to be back in a month.

What a dumb thing to do.

 

[Jaykid28]

Likely financial conditions changed (interest rates, NIL, conference changes, and so on) the timing and dynamics of such a large project. It may never happen if it was actually going to happen.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Likely financial conditions changed (interest rates, NIL, conference changes, and so on) the timing and dynamics of such a large project. It may never happen if it was actually going to happen.

Just so odd to make such a hoopla out of an announcement about an idea that isn't even half baked.

 

[18IsTheMan]

We are now 17 months after the announcement and there's no update. Last thing I can find is this article from November:

Details for USC’s 800+ acre stadium development remain sparse | Carolina News and Reporter

carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu

"Many members of Richland County Council, including Chair Overture Walker and Vice Chair Jesica Mackey, said in late October the university had not contacted them about the project. 'I’m not aware of any plans or specifics,' Walker said"

Is this thing just going to die on the vine?

Would it make more sense to put $1 billion into this project or $1 billion into NIL?

 

[18IsTheMan]

Oops, just found this from last month:

South Carolina Issues Update On Williams-Brice Stadium Project

South Carolina issued an update on the Williams-Brice Stadium re-development project.

southcarolina.rivals.com

Seems like it's moving forward, albeit at a slow pace. The RFI was issued last February. It took 16 months to get to the RFP stage. Maybe that's normal for a project of this scale.

 

[vacock]

We are now 17 months after the announcement and there's no update. Last thing I can find is this article from November:

Details for USC’s 800+ acre stadium development remain sparse | Carolina News and Reporter

carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu

"Many members of Richland County Council, including Chair Overture Walker and Vice Chair Jesica Mackey, said in late October the university had not contacted them about the project. 'I’m not aware of any plans or specifics,' Walker said"

Is this thing just going to die on the vine?

Would it make more sense to put $1 billion into this project or $1 billion into NIL?

Great question!

 

[18IsTheMan]

Great question!

The NIL question?

 

[Uscg1984]

Whatever comes of it, I'm sure it will result in lower tuition and costs for SC students.

 

[18IsTheMan]

The NIL question?

The goal is to create a better fan experience.

I'm anti-NIL, but if we're going to spend money on NIL, what will make a better fan experience, spending a billion dollars on dining/shopping near the stadium or a billion dollars on players?

With a limit of 85 scholarship players, we could offer every player $1,000,000/year for almost 12 seasons.

(Theoretical, yes, I know)

 

[KingWard]

The goal is to create a better fan experience.

I'm anti-NIL, but if we're going to spend money on NIL, what will make a better fan experience, spending a billion dollars on dining/shopping near the stadium or a billion dollars on players?

With a limit of 85 scholarship players, we could offer every player $1,000,000/year for almost 12 seasons.

(Theoretical, yes, I know)

It won't work that way because of the manifold financial requirements associated with athletics. Already, I'm reading talk of roster reductions. I believe such a direction is a real possibility.

 

[muscleknight]

I read where the value of the land is 900 million. If so then sell the land if you could get around 900 million. Put the money in an interest bearing trust and use the interest earned to fund NIL each year.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I read where the value of the land is 900 million. If so then sell the land if you could get around 900 million. Put the money in an interest bearing trust and use the interest earned to fund NIL each year.

I am anti-NIL, but it's the name of the game. If we're going to do it, it doesn't make sense to not do as much as we can. Sinking hundreds of millions into dining and shopping makes no sense. The product on the field is what matters.

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

It was 2/7/2023 when Ray dropped the absolute bombshell that the University had filed a request for information. Per the stadium project website (https://gamecocksonline.com/stadiumproject/) they were supposed to get information back from the RFI last March. Also says the website will be updated as new information is released, but it doesn't appear that there have been updates at all (obviously as the most recent info says the response to the RFI was due last March).

There was some news last July about updates to WB itself, but haven't heard a peep about the land development since Ray shocked the world last February.

Not sure what the objective of the announcement was, but the more time passes the dumber it looks.
Unless everybody was supposed to forget about it and 18 spoiled everything.

 

[KingWard]

I am anti-NIL, but it's the name of the game. If we're going to do it, it doesn't make sense to not do as much as we can. Sinking hundreds of millions into dining and shopping makes no sense. The product on the field is what matters.

The University won't be doing that. Developers will be doing those things on University-controlled property to beef up the area - at least theoretically. The University will be realizing income from this process, if I understand the intentions.

 

[18IsTheMan]

The University won't be doing that. Developers will be doing those things on University-controlled property to beef up the area - at least theoretically. The University will be realizing income from this process, if I understand the intentions.

The University will certainly be sinking a lot of money into this project. What the dollar figure will be, I don't know. Whatever that number is, I can't see it being put to better use than NIL, if we are playing the NIL game.

 

[KingWard]

The University will certainly be sinking a lot of money into this project. What the dollar figure will be, I don't know. Whatever that number is, I can't see it being put to better use than NIL, if we are playing the NIL game.

The development that takes place will be done with other people's money, not the university's money. The university will realize profits from enterprises conducted on its property by others. Obviously, some of this activity might involve the sale of property to other entities for redevelopment. There's much that needs to be fleshed out. NIL will take a back seat, at least in the short-term, to athletic department infrastructure improvements, especially as regards the stadium, which will need it. It needs it already. Actually, that's what all this is about.

 

[18IsTheMan]

The development that takes place will be done with other people's money, not the university's money. The university will realize profits from enterprises conducted on its property by others. Obviously, some of this activity might involve the sale of property to other entities for redevelopment. There's much that needs to be fleshed out. NIL will take a back seat, at least in the short-term, to athletic department infrastructure improvements, especially as regards the stadium, which will need it. It needs it already. Actually, that's what all this is about.

The University, nevertheless, would be making a significant financial investment as well.

 

[KingWard]

The University, nevertheless, would be making a significant financial investment as well.

Where?

 

[Spurman54]

Bought the land between Bluff Rd and The Congaree River. Plans are for a golf course, rent the land out to retailers, restaurants, bars, and lodging. These leases are supposed to finance the changes coming to WB. Might be rather drastic from what I heard?

Ray is in over his head. This project will never happen. The university has already met its debt limit and there are some other issues that are going to cost significant dollars that the university does not have along with the liability that goes along with being in a flood zone. The liability is tremendous. This project will never happen. Wait and see.

 

[Whiterockcock69]

Yeah, it’s a been a year since the announcement and there hasn’t been the slightest peep. Not even on the RFI that was supposed to be back in a month.

What a dumb thing to do.

USC administration (and I am an alumni) reminds me of Obama’s comment on Biden. Never underestimate their ability to f*** things up. Been doing it for years.