A leaked video shows conceptual details of the proposed Football Operations Facility at the University of Oklahoma.


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The total price tag could be as high as $175 million (from donations) and will be similar to facilities at Clemson, Nebraska and Alabama. It will integrate the existing indoor practice field and add a huge training and nutrition component, a lounge and other amenities.

These plans show a conceptual layout; the university has already hired the international firm HOK for the final design.

The project is on the fast track as OU is headed for the Southeastern Conference starting in 2024.



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The 'Player Village" would be a nice spot to take their dates. Wonder what the guest policy will be. lol

Since headington College took up the south side of Lindsey, where do people tailgate these days? Back when I was going to one or two games a year, that's where the tailgating was.

After this is built there is the perfect spot for the new basketball arena just north of Champions Plaza

After this is built there is the perfect spot for the new basketball arena just north of Champions Plaza

Bingo.

That's really awesome.

I've heard that the final plans for this facility will integrate with the Duck Pond property directly east.

They are moving very fast with this and I believe they have already raised most of the money.

Nothing like a deadline (SEC 2024) to get people very focused and motivated.

Seems messed up to limit the team to only 1 more Championship with those arches.

Is the track & field complex getting relocated as a result of this project?

Is the track & field complex getting relocated as a result of this project?

Yes.

And a reminder, these plans are just conceptual. Pretty much everything shown will be included but the University has already contracted out to HOK (they do most of the big stadiums, arenas, and sports facilities around the world) to create the final plan.

Does it really need a pool? It is very nice though!

Does it really need a pool? It is very nice though!

If they want to compete for Natties, I would think the pool is a requirement.

Seems messed up to limit the team to only 1 more Championship with those arches.

Haha, yes, Its a reminder of what their aiming for. If and when they win a Championship in the future. They will pour a pad for the next placeholder.

Any idea where the track an field facilities will be relocated to

Any idea where the track an field facilities will be relocated to

Almost certainly down by Lloyd Noble Center.

Tons of room down there and it's where almost all the non-football facilities are located.

Badass

Since headington College took up the south side of Lindsey, where do people tailgate these days? Back when I was going to one or two games a year, that's where the tailgating was.

In case you’ve missed it…that’s been a massive point of contention between the fanbase and the administration. Boren prohibited tailgating on Lindsay when the built the residential colleges and it’s never been opened back up again. Only thing allowed down there is the expensive paid tailgating where the Bud used to be (obviously the optics of that piss people off even more). Eddie from soonerscoop has even been selling “Make Lindsay Street Great Again” shirts for the last year lol.

Sounds like between complaints from fans and their visits to other SEC programs on game day that the administration is aware of the problem (we are massively lacking in tailgate environment since closing Lindsay) and finally making plans to address it between this season and next. Harroz seems much more pro-fun than Boren was so i bet they come up with something good. Personal preference but ideally they open up either the south oval or duck pond and restrict most of the tailgating to those areas (and maybe asp between Boyd and the business college) so that tailgating is all in a concentrated area. By far the best tailgate environments I’ve been to aren’t as spread out as ours has always been. Keeping everyone in the same general area always seems to turn up the atmosphere a few notches.

Almost certainly down by Lloyd Noble Center.

Tons of room down there and it's where almost all the non-football facilities are located.

I just hope they given T&F a decent indoor facility. The one they have now is not good.

In case you’ve missed it…that’s been a massive point of contention between the fanbase and the administration. Boren prohibited tailgating on Lindsay when the built the residential colleges and it’s never been opened back up again. Only thing allowed down there is the expensive paid tailgating where the Bud used to be (obviously the optics of that piss people off even more). Eddie from soonerscoop has even been selling “Make Lindsay Street Great Again” shirts for the last year lol.

Sounds like between complaints from fans and their visits to other SEC programs on game day that the administration is aware of the problem (we are massively lacking in tailgate environment since closing Lindsay) and finally making plans to address it between this season and next. Harroz seems much more pro-fun than Boren was so i bet they come up with something good. Personal preference but ideally they open up either the south oval or duck pond and restrict most of the tailgating to those areas (and maybe asp between Boyd and the business college) so that tailgating is all in a concentrated area. By far the best tailgate environments I’ve been to aren’t as spread out as ours has always been. Keeping everyone in the same general area always seems to turn up the atmosphere a few notches.

Harroz told media at a recent regent's meeting that they will be updating OU's tailgating policies.

https://twitter.com/GeorgeStoia/status/1669109135613259776?s=20

LOVE the incorporation of the Cherokee Gothic architecture. Wonderful.

The championship arches placed as laces on a football are really clever. 18101

In case you’ve missed it…that’s been a massive point of contention between the fanbase and the administration. Boren prohibited tailgating on Lindsay when the built the residential colleges and it’s never been opened back up again. Only thing allowed down there is the expensive paid tailgating where the Bud used to be (obviously the optics of that piss people off even more). Eddie from soonerscoop has even been selling “Make Lindsay Street Great Again” shirts for the last year lol.

Sounds like between complaints from fans and their visits to other SEC programs on game day that the administration is aware of the problem (we are massively lacking in tailgate environment since closing Lindsay) and finally making plans to address it between this season and next. Harroz seems much more pro-fun than Boren was so i bet they come up with something good. Personal preference but ideally they open up either the south oval or duck pond and restrict most of the tailgating to those areas (and maybe asp between Boyd and the business college) so that tailgating is all in a concentrated area. By far the best tailgate environments I’ve been to aren’t as spread out as ours has always been. Keeping everyone in the same general area always seems to turn up the atmosphere a few notches.

Long time tailgater here. Those paid tailgate spots are a disgrace.

After this is built there is the perfect spot for the new basketball arena just north of Champions Plaza

Careful you will summon BoulderSooner who will only accept the new basketball arena can go in UNP

Long time tailgater here. Those paid tailgate spots are a disgrace.

Agreed. Better than nothing (If you’re not paying for it) but boring and sterile regardless. It should definitely be an option but as part of a larger tailgating plan. And they should be near the other tailgates.

Careful you will summon BoulderSooner who will only accept the new basketball arena can go in UNP

I am on record saying the perfect spot for a new bball arena is just north of Brooks .. right in that same area ..

but that money is not there .. as an aside a UNP basketball arena is getting closer and closer to becoming a reality

I am on record saying the perfect spot for a new bball arena is just north of Brooks .. right in that same area ..

but that money is not there .. as an aside a UNP basketball arena is getting closer and closer to becoming a reality

yeah I definitely think ideal and currently practical are two different things. Need to get out of Lloyd noble at all costs and if the interim solution for the next 20-30 years is a UNP arena…power to them.

Cherokee gothic architecture remains undefeated

I've heard that the final plans for this facility will integrate with the Duck Pond property directly east.

They are moving very fast with this and I believe they have already raised most of the money.

Nothing like a deadline (SEC 2024) to get people very focused and motivated.

Have you heard as to whether the Duck Pond will be destroyed?

I am on record saying the perfect spot for a new bball arena is just north of Brooks .. right in that same area ..

but that money is not there .. as an aside a UNP basketball arena is getting closer and closer to becoming a reality

Agreed about the funding. The amount of funding that the State provides is a pittance. How OU is considered a "public" University is really stretching it. Now they want to shift the costs of an arena to the taxpayers of Norman.

Agreed about the funding. The amount of funding that the State provides is a pittance. How OU is considered a "public" University is really stretching it. Now they want to shift the costs of an arena to the taxpayers of Norman.

Norman should Absolutely contribute to this project .. OU provided the city so so much value and they sometimes take it for granted ..

Have you heard as to whether the Duck Pond will be destroyed?

Oh no, nothing like that. Just trying to bridge the park and pond into the campus a bit more.

Long time tailgater here. Those paid tailgate spots are a disgrace.

yes they are but i am guessing the university makes a bit of coin on them.

yeah I definitely think ideal and currently practical are two different things. Need to get out of Lloyd noble at all costs and if the interim solution for the next 20-30 years is a UNP arena…power to them.

I don’t think the Norman voters will go for it, they certainly didn’t the last time. And with this massive investment you have the perfect spot to centralize football/basketball in one location on campus. The architecture can even match what they are proposing for the other buildings.

I am on record saying the perfect spot for a new bball arena is just north of Brooks .. right in that same area ..

but that money is not there .. as an aside a UNP basketball arena is getting closer and closer to becoming a reality
How is the money not there? If they can afford to build one at UNP why couldn’t they afford it here?

How is the money not there? If they can afford to build one at UNP why couldn’t they afford it here?

the one at UNP is not being paid for by OU

How is the money not there? If they can afford to build one at UNP why couldn’t they afford it here?

Zero dollars from OU would go to funding the Arena at UNP. $0.00. That is how and if OU wants the city of Norman to help pay for it (TIF), with the remaining dollars being provided by a developer.

Zero dollars from OU would go to funding the Arena at UNP. $0.00. That is how and if OU wants the city of Norman to help pay for it (TIF), with the remaining dollars being provided by a developer.

The TIF financing model is not popular in Norman based on the political heat the last one generated due to the retail promised versus what retail came. It will be a very hard sell.

I have no doubt this will happen but I heard a lively discussion about this on The Sports Animal today between Al, Dean, and Jim. Their take was that recruits today pay much more attention to NIL than they do to facilities. They were suggesting that, if competing for a national championship is the main goal, the money would be much better spent in that direction.

I have no doubt this will happen but I heard a lively discussion about this on The Sports Animal today between Al, Dean, and Jim. Their take was that recruits today pay much more attention to NIL than they do to facilities. They were suggesting that, if competing for a national championship is the main goal, the money would be much better spent in that direction.
These sort of facilities while massively important in regards to recruiting are more necessary for player development. Players only have a specific amount of allotted time to spend each week in team activities. This facility is more necessary to maximize the time spent doing football specific activities. Time currently spent traveling between the locker room and the indoor facility, while minute, individually add up; this is a single example of one of the ways this facility will maximize player development.

This discussion got a bit of on-air talk yesterday on the Sports Animal. With OKC TALK being mentioned a few times as the source. A little free advertising.

The TIF financing model is not popular in Norman based on the political heat the last one generated due to the retail promised versus what retail came. It will be a very hard sell.

Which is why they will continue to play in the LNC until that changes or enough donors come in to support it.

the one at UNP is not being paid for by OU
I don’t know much about this issue and maybe I’m wrong but I feel like if they really tried and pushed for it they could find the money.

I don’t know much about this issue and maybe I’m wrong but I feel like if they really tried and pushed for it they could find the money.

OU is having trouble funding football projects, and that is the breadwinner sport. I don't think they will be able to find the money for a basketball arena, unfortunately.

Have you heard as to whether the Duck Pond will be destroyed?

it will stay and I have heard that the final version of this project (this thread was one of the not chosen early plans) interacts with the duck pond.

OU is having trouble funding football projects, and that is the breadwinner sport. I don't think they will be able to find the money for a basketball arena, unfortunately.

OU has raised nearly all the money (rumored to be $175 million) to build this football facility, which is amazing.

Also well under construction on that amazing new softball stadium.

Baseball needs a big makeover.

All those things will come before basketball, which is why they are looking at UNP as a way to do all this at once.

OU has raised nearly all the money (rumored to be $175 million) to build this football facility, which is amazing.

Also well under construction on that amazing new softball stadium.

Baseball needs a big makeover.

All those things will come before basketball, which is why they are looking at UNP as a way to do all this at once.

I think that the rest of the football stadium renovation (another 400 mil ) is on tap before a basketball arena also ..

I think that the rest of the football stadium renovation (another 400 mil ) is on tap before a basketball arena also ..
Wow. That is impressive. They just upgraded the current one and it looks great. It almost seems like it be closer to a pro stadium at this rate of consistent upgrades.

OU has raised nearly all the money (rumored to be $175 million) to build this football facility, which is amazing.

Also well under construction on that amazing new softball stadium.

Baseball needs a big makeover.

All those things will come before basketball, which is why they are looking at UNP as a way to do all this at once.

Speaking of the softball stadium, when can we get more drone shots?

Pete, someone posted this on twitter, do you know if this is correct on the location of the facility (would make zero sense to have it totally disconnected from the stadium)? Says it's why Thad Turnipseed is out aswell.

Thad wanted the facilities across Jenkins but the administration and regents wouldn’t approve moving the T&F facilities. They want to build the football offices at the current Marita Hynes location. This defeats the entire purpose of Thad’s vision. That’s why he’s out. It’s not a coincidence the video of the Jenkins facility was leaked. It was an attempt to get momentum for that vision.

Wow. That is impressive. They just upgraded the current one and it looks great. It almost seems like it be closer to a pro stadium at this rate of consistent upgrades.

The stadium needs the West side Upper deck, press box, restrooms, concessions all renovated along with adding additional elevators and escalators. The North EZ is also in major need to renovate the restrooms and concessions and could possibly see some seat expansion in a future project.

Pete, someone posted this on twitter, do you know if this is correct on the location of the facility (would make zero sense to have it totally disconnected from the stadium)? Says it's why Thad Turnipseed is out aswell.

Thad wanted the facilities across Jenkins but the administration and regents wouldn’t approve moving the T&F facilities. They want to build the football offices at the current Marita Hynes location. This defeats the entire purpose of Thad’s vision. That’s why he’s out. It’s not a coincidence the video of the Jenkins facility was leaked. It was an attempt to get momentum for that vision.

This isn't true.

There are minutes from the Board of Regents that approved the demolition of Bud Wilkinson House and hired HOK for $4 million for the football facility "east of the stadium". This entire thing is well along.

Looking at those renderings would make a few NFL teams blush. I think it’s time to completely decouple these major college football programs from the universities they “represent.” To many of us who dare look at all this beyond its emotional and/or nostalgic pull on us from yesteryear, the charade should end before it looks any more ridiculous than it already does.

There’s no question that the Oklahoma Sooners football program was once made up of true student athletes. Today, they are made up of “student athletes.” (Notice the quote marks there.) And, yes, it’s the entirety of the FBS football programs; only more obvious at the traditional football powers like OU, Texas, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, USC…all the usual suspects. What is it that is so clear to many of us about the state of college football? A good summation would be —

The Oklahoma Sooners are a professional sports brand - within a larger huge industry called - College Football.

First. Foremost. Nothing less.

Similarities to the NFL have certainly been around the past few decades with millions paid to coaches, but once paid players (“NIL”) and free agency (“Transfer Portal”) were added, it’s become clear we should all drop the whole antiquated notion of the “Oklahoma Sooners™” as a team of true student athletes from the University of Oklahoma.

One day in the future an FAQ entry might read:
Q: Why is it called the College Football League?
A: Teams playing in the College Football League were once student athletic programs associated with actual state and private colleges and universities across the nation. The decoupling of these teams from their university sponsorships was a natural next step after direct payments to athletes and widespread transferring from college to college became commonplace.

Look at those renderings Pete posted of the new facility and tell me, with a straight face, that it belongs as part of an academic institution of higher learning. Look again and really pay attention. It’s to be a complex of multiple fields, a players village, video entertainment screens, all the perks and fluff, all-in-all a very self-contained setup. Maybe these are, along with paid players, personal branding and free agency, baby steps to its natural conclusion of decoupling.

The Oklahoma Sooners, and all of FBS football, have crossed the rubicon.
“College Football” is not truly, well, college football.

We should begin thinking about expediting a reasonable plan to separate the fantasy from the reality.

I looked at them and I think they should be part of an academic institution of higher learning. Stop kidding yourself.

Looking at those renderings would make a few NFL teams blush. ...

Top college programs training facilities being better than average pro teams facilities is nothing new, they have been in stiff competition out building each other for at least 20-30 years, if anything NIL is plausibly reduced the demand to go as hard in the area.

It also seems unlikely for any of the more relevant institutions to have an interest in spinning off athletics, it is a factor in where some students choose to go, plus as long as using the schools branding will want to have control of operations.
Also generally the top twenty-ish are the few that really do make serious money for the school, it is the next tier that causes more question if it is worth what is being put in, which given they tend to be subsidized to some extend by the general budgets seems to indicate administrators think it is.

Is this all paid for by profits from the athletic department?

Is this all paid for by profits from the athletic department?

Like most college athletics facilities will have significant alumi/fan contributions, but OU is one of the small number of programs that athletics (more specifically football/basketball) generates more than enough revenue for the entire department normal operations. Part of the conference move was to be able to keep it that way and going forward still have the budget to compete at the highest level.

Is this all paid for by profits from the athletic department?

largely donations .

Speaking of the softball stadium, when can we get more drone shots?

Here you go; taken today (Saturday):

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=47693&p=1237062#post1237062

Oklahoma Sooners Plan $175 Million Football Palace Amid New Athlete Pay Rules (https://fanrecap.com/57_oklahoma-sooners-plan-175-million-football-palace-amid-new-athlete-pay-rules/)
May 31, 2024

The evolving dynamics of collegiate sports are prompting Oklahoma to adopt a more deliberate approach to its infrastructure projects, including a proposed $175 million football facility project. The university’s Board of Regents greenlit the next phase for this football operations building, which will be situated next to Oklahoma Memorial Stadium but operate independently from it, about 15 months ago. This decision to fund the project and select a construction manager reflects the changing strategic considerations in college athletics administration, especially in light of recent legal and financial developments impacting NCAA schools.

Oklahoma Athletics Director Joe Castiglione expressed the university’s intention to proceed with the football facility plans while highlighting the adjustments in capital project strategies. The shift comes after the NCAA agreed to a settlement in the House v. NCAA lawsuit and similar antitrust litigation, leading to potential revenue sharing payments to student-athletes that could start as soon as next year. This agreement may see schools paying out approximately $20 million annually in revenue sharing to their athletes.

In response to these changes, Castiglione pointed out the necessity for a conversation about reallocating assets to manage the new significant expenses foreseen for Oklahoma and other athletic programs. The athletics department at Oklahoma, which reported a record $199 million in revenue for the fiscal year 2023 with profits of only $275,346, has proactively developed a financial model to gauge the impact of the $20 million annual expense. This model aims to forecast the effect on the department’s budget and guide decision-making on wide-ranging matters, from staffing and program funding to capital projects and operational costs.

Castiglione emphasized reevaluating all decisions with a primary focus on what benefits the athletes, underlining the indispensability of athletes to the existence of athletic departments. He advocated for prioritizing the improvement of talent assessment, acquisition, retention, and development as fundamental to correctly navigating the broader challenges.

Regarding the planned football operations facility, Castiglione assured that the athletics department is strategically planning the project’s timing and execution. This facility, designed to be a comprehensive home for Oklahoma’s football program and funded by private athletics funds and outside donations, is expected to feature advanced amenities, ranging from offices and locker rooms to practice fields and nutrition centers. Despite the current satisfactory condition of Oklahoma’s sports facilities, including the Switzer Center where football operations are presently housed, Castiglione reaffirmed the importance of including facilities development in their strategic planning to balance it with other priorities in athlete recruitment and overall program enhancement.

Oklahoma Sooners Plan $175 Million Football Palace Amid New Athlete Pay Rules (https://fanrecap.com/57_oklahoma-sooners-plan-175-million-football-palace-amid-new-athlete-pay-rules/)
May 31, 2024

The evolving dynamics of collegiate sports are prompting Oklahoma to adopt a more deliberate approach to its infrastructure projects, including a proposed $175 million football facility project. The university’s Board of Regents greenlit the next phase for this football operations building, which will be situated next to Oklahoma Memorial Stadium but operate independently from it, about 15 months ago. This decision to fund the project and select a construction manager reflects the changing strategic considerations in college athletics administration, especially in light of recent legal and financial developments impacting NCAA schools.

Oklahoma Athletics Director Joe Castiglione expressed the university’s intention to proceed with the football facility plans while highlighting the adjustments in capital project strategies. The shift comes after the NCAA agreed to a settlement in the House v. NCAA lawsuit and similar antitrust litigation, leading to potential revenue sharing payments to student-athletes that could start as soon as next year. This agreement may see schools paying out approximately $20 million annually in revenue sharing to their athletes.

In response to these changes, Castiglione pointed out the necessity for a conversation about reallocating assets to manage the new significant expenses foreseen for Oklahoma and other athletic programs. The athletics department at Oklahoma, which reported a record $199 million in revenue for the fiscal year 2023 with profits of only $275,346, has proactively developed a financial model to gauge the impact of the $20 million annual expense. This model aims to forecast the effect on the department’s budget and guide decision-making on wide-ranging matters, from staffing and program funding to capital projects and operational costs.

Castiglione emphasized reevaluating all decisions with a primary focus on what benefits the athletes, underlining the indispensability of athletes to the existence of athletic departments. He advocated for prioritizing the improvement of talent assessment, acquisition, retention, and development as fundamental to correctly navigating the broader challenges.

Regarding the planned football operations facility, Castiglione assured that the athletics department is strategically planning the project’s timing and execution. This facility, designed to be a comprehensive home for Oklahoma’s football program and funded by private athletics funds and outside donations, is expected to feature advanced amenities, ranging from offices and locker rooms to practice fields and nutrition centers. Despite the current satisfactory condition of Oklahoma’s sports facilities, including the Switzer Center where football operations are presently housed, Castiglione reaffirmed the importance of including facilities development in their strategic planning to balance it with other priorities in athlete recruitment and overall program enhancement.

Wow, $199M revenue and $275k net profit, seems almost unbelievable. Is there a balance sheet for the athletic department? Does the revenue include specific athletic donations?