OU-Texas to stay at Fair Park until at least 2025

[ou48A]

Texas-OU football game to stay at Cotton Bowl through 2025 | Dallas Morning News

[ou48A]

This is great news for the OU football program and for recruiting.
It’s also good news for fans that they are pressing ahead with other improvements to Fair Park that will include “significant street improvements around Fair Park, designed to better direct visitors.”

"Each school receives direct payments of $500,000 for playing in Dallas, along with a split of the ticket sales. And Dallas officials have estimated that the game provides each year an economic boost of more than $20 million in Dallas County."

….. “most fans would agree that the game is the biggest rivalry for either team. Bigger than Texas-Texas A&M. Bigger than OU-Oklahoma State.”
“ there’s no question that Texas-OU reins king.’’

[Pete]

Great!

I went 13 years in a row and although I haven't been in a while, I would make me sick if they ever move it.

[SoonerDave]

OU-Texas anywhere else would be an absolute travesty. I mean, I can taste a Fletcher's corny dog right now. And its still four months away

I haven't had time to read the article, but I'm hoping some of those "visitor amenities" include some amendments to the flow of foot traffic around the Cotton Bowl after the game.

Even though they double-decked the entire stadium now, there's really been nothing done to facilitate pedestrian traffic around, in, and out of the stadium and/or the fairgrounds right after the game. Serious gridlock ensues pretty darned fast. Kinda like there's pathways/pavement to move maybe 60-70K people, which was being REALLY squashed to handle 80-85K, and now just being crushed with 100K...some pedestrian footbridges to different areas or something will hopefully be considered to improve that aspect of it.

[ou48A]

OU-Texas anywhere else would be an absolute travesty. I mean, I can taste a Fletcher's corny dog right now. And its still four months away

I haven't had time to read the article, but I'm hoping some of those "visitor amenities" include some amendments to the flow of foot traffic around the Cotton Bowl after the game.

Even though they double-decked the entire stadium now, there's really been nothing done to facilitate pedestrian traffic around, in, and out of the stadium and/or the fairgrounds right after the game. Serious gridlock ensues pretty darned fast. Kinda like there's pathways/pavement to move maybe 60-70K people, which was being REALLY squashed to handle 80-85K, and now just being crushed with 100K...some pedestrian footbridges to different areas or something will hopefully be considered to improve that aspect of it.

Yep, the place really is a fire trap now……
They need to build walking ramps from the upper decks out and away for the stadium, say 200 foot away… It’s taken me as long as 45 minutes to make my way out of the stadium and another 45 minutes to walk out of the Fair Park grounds just because it’s so congested and poorly designed for current stadium capacity and foot traffic…. Removing the food booths well away from the base of the stadium would also help a lot.

I would also like to see the Fair charge a much higher price for tickets to non-game goers for a few hours during the game because there are thousands of people showing up who don’t go to the game.

[SoonerDave]

Yep, the place really is a fire trap now……
They need to build walking ramps from the upper decks out and away for the stadium, say 200 foot away… It’s taken me as long as 45 minutes to make my way out of the stadium and another 45 minutes to walk out of the Fair Park grounds just because it’s so congested and poorly designed for current stadium capacity and foot traffic…. Removing the food booths well away from the base of the stadium would also help a lot.

I would also like to see the Fair charge a much higher price for tickets to non-game goers for a few hours during the game because there are thousands of people showing up who don’t go to the game.

Always thought given the way they redesigned/upgraded the place that you could build, relatively inexpensively, a fairly simple concrete footbridge from, say, four regions of the upper deck(s) and exit them down a series of escalators....

[ou48A]

Always thought given the way they redesigned/upgraded the place that you could build, relatively inexpensively, a fairly simple concrete footbridge from, say, four regions of the upper deck(s) and exit them down a series of escalators....

That’s a good idea and it would work well provided it brought you down in an area that wasn’t congested. That’s why I thought a ramp would need to be 200 feet or more long.
People can stack up and trip over each other if it’s not well designed and attended.

[adaniel]

Great!

I went 13 years in a row and although I haven't been in a while, I would make me sick if they ever move it.

Not to scare you, but I've heard rumors that, while OU continues to really support this tradition, UTBOR's passion has waned a bit. Not that they would make it home-and-home anytime soon but that risk is still out there. I also heard Jerry Jones continues to dangle money out there for this game to move to the Arlington Cowdome, which would probably be even worse than making it home-and-home (tailgating at...Six Flags?).

Glad to see both sides renew this, there really is no other game in college sports quite like it. And since I'm now in Dallas I get to be that guy at work! At the same time, we should be ever aware, especially with our Texas counterpart starting to waiver.

[SoonerDave]

Not to scare you, but I've heard rumors that, while OU continues to really support this tradition, UTBOR's passion has waned a bit. Not that they would make it home-and-home anytime soon but that risk is still out there. I also heard Jerry Jones continues to dangle money out there for this game to move to the Arlington Cowdome, which would probably be even worse than making it home-and-home (tailgating at...Six Flags?).

Glad to see both sides renew this, there really is no other game in college sports quite like it. And since I'm now in Dallas I get to be that guy at work! At the same time, we should be ever aware, especially with our Texas counterpart starting to waiver.

Given that its locked in until 2025, I think conference realignment or massive CFB overhaul are more likely things to intercede with OU-Texas than UT losing interest.

I'm guessing that if this rumor is true, its got to be because DeLoss Dodds isn't at the helm anymore. Everything I've followed on this issue the last few years indicates he has been a big supporter of the Dallas tradition. The new AD almost certainly doesn't have similar roots or interest, so that's definitely something to watch down the road...but its a while away.

[Zuplar]

I was down at the Galleria a couple of years ago, and walking around I was amazed out how much crimson I saw. They had the ice skating rink lit up with the interlocking OU and Longhorn which was cool. I remember going into a store divided and it was half OU half UT and again the majority of fans were OU. I was wearing the previous years official shirt and remember the guy saying if I wanted that years, that I better get it because they were running low on it.Goes to show there is a lot of Sooner Nation located in North Texas aka Baja Oklahoma.

[HangryHippo]

I'm thrilled to read this about OU-Texas, but I do think it would be amazing to see the game played on each campus just once in my lifetime. I dreaded the thought of them moving it to Jerry World, but I do think a game in Norman and a game in Austin would be something to behold.

[adaniel]

Given that its locked in until 2025, I think conference realignment or massive CFB overhaul are more likely things to intercede with OU-Texas than UT losing interest.

I'm guessing that if this rumor is true, its got to be because DeLoss Dodds isn't at the helm anymore. Everything I've followed on this issue the last few years indicates he has been a big supporter of the Dallas tradition. The new AD almost certainly doesn't have similar roots or interest, so that's definitely something to watch down the road...but its a while away.

I think the main thing is the UTBOR is such a wreck right now. Rick Perry has loaded it up with so many of his lackeys, most of which do not know a thing about running a university....its a big reason the athletic department in general is in such chaos right now. Its a weird UT-A&M thing, since Perry is an aggie grad; I won't claim in the slightest to understand these things LOL. My point being, these people in general cannot be trusted. At least one regent has expressed interest in ending the Cotton Bowl game. All these regents see is dollar signs and spreadsheets, and there is probably more money to be made in having a home-and-home series.

You are correct in that now that the series has been extended its probably all a moot point. It's telling they extended so far in the future, since the game was alreadly locked up through 2020. Can't help but to think Castiglione and the City of Dallas figured better strike now while the iron is hot, before UT got any other ideas.

[ou48A]

Not to scare you, but I've heard rumors that, while OU continues to really support this tradition, UTBOR's passion has waned a bit. Not that they would make it home-and-home anytime soon but that risk is still out there. I also heard Jerry Jones continues to dangle money out there for this game to move to the Arlington Cowdome, which would probably be even worse than making it home-and-home (tailgating at...Six Flags?).

Glad to see both sides renew this, there really is no other game in college sports quite like it. And since I'm now in Dallas I get to be that guy at work! At the same time, we should be ever aware, especially with our Texas counterpart starting to waiver.

I think the main thing is the UTBOR is such a wreck right now. Rick Perry has loaded it up with so many of his lackeys, most of which do not know a thing about running a university....its a big reason the athletic department in general is in such chaos right now. Its a weird UT-A&M thing, since Perry is an aggie grad; I won't claim in the slightest to understand these things LOL. My point being, these people in general cannot be trusted. At least one regent has expressed interest in ending the Cotton Bowl game. All these regents see is dollar signs and spreadsheets, and there is probably more money to be made in having a home-and-home series.

You are correct in that now that the series has been extended its probably all a moot point. It's telling they extended so far in the future, since the game was alreadly locked up through 2020. Can't help but to think Castiglione and the City of Dallas figured better strike now while the iron is hot, before UT got any other ideas.

Moving OU - Texas to a home and home would be like cutting your own throat and since it’s such a huge donation driver and recruiting advantage for both universities.......... It’s not going anywhere….. just as long as the Fair Park stadium is safe enough to play in.

About 10 years ago, as they often have, Texas was trying to throw its weight around on this issue. The donation angle was brought to their attention but David Boren also let it be known that OU would play somebody in the Cotton Bowl each year and when A&M publicly expressed some interests in playing OU, Texas dropped the issue like a hot potato!

It would be a nightmare for UT to lose its exposure in Dallas to A&M…. UT would also have a very serious fan / donor revolt on its hands.
A&M would get out of its Jerry World contract ASAP to play OU each year.

The powers of UT know all this…..^ we won't hear anything about this other than if this is used while posturing for position in negotiations. ( which could help OU get a better deal) There is no threat of this game ever leaving, just as long as the city of Dallas keeps the stadium in a safe condition.

[SOONER8693]

Been every year since '85, believe that is 29 years in a row. It is a piece of Americana unmatched anywhere. Leaving the Cotton Bowl having beaten Texas is nirvanna.

[Laramie]

Would love to see the game hosted (centerpiece) by the State Fair in Dallas every other year; it's time for a home and home series in between:

You could continue with the tradition of splitting the tickets down the middle. OU Sooner fans would travel to Austin every third year; TU Longhorn fans journey to Norman-Oklahoma City. Sixth Street in Austin could handle a party just like Bricktown in Oklahoma City could host a Red River Rivalry.

Dallas' economy wouldn't die as a result of moving the games to Norman or Austin every other year. Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium will probably seat well over 100,000 by 2025.

Time for Texans to start spending money in our state--let's spread some of that economic activity around.

New pilot format after 2025:

2025: Cotton Bowl, Dalllas
2026: Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium, Norman
2027: Cotton Bowl, Dallas
2028: Royal Memorial Stadium, Austin

2029: Cotton Bowl, Dallas
2030: Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium, Norman
2031: Cotton Bowl, Dallas
2032: Royal Memorial Stadium, Austin

The last time this game was played on Oklahoma soil was 1922 in Norman.

Red River Showdown - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[dankrutka]

I respectfully disagree, Laramie. Keep it at the Cotton Bowl and State Fair. It really is an amazing tradition and atmosphere. I look forward to it every year.

[bluedogok]

If it ever went home and home the game would lose its special quality. You are never going to convince half the season ticket holders in each stadium to give up their tickets for the game, it will become nothing more than a normal home game with about 10,000 fans from the visiting school. The OU and UT season ticket holders that I know have told me as much. It is just a bad idea to change it, I would rather it go to JerryWorld than a home and home series if it was going to change.

We never did make a game at DKR in the nine years that I lived in Austin or the twenty years my wife lived there. We had always intended to go to a Tech-UT game sometime since she is a Tech alum.

[OKCretro]

Would love to see the game hosted (centerpiece) by the State Fair in Dallas every other year; it's time for a home and home series in between:

You could continue with the tradition of splitting the tickets down the middle. OU Sooner fans would travel to Austin every third year; TU Longhorn fans journey to Norman-Oklahoma City. Sixth Street in Austin could handle a party just like Bricktown in Oklahoma City could host a Red River Rivalry.

Dallas' economy wouldn't die as a result of moving the games to Norman or Austin every other year. Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium will probably seat well over 100,000 by 2025.

Time for Texans to start spending money in our state--let's spread some of that economic activity around.

New pilot format after 2025:

2025: Cotton Bowl, Dalllas
2026: Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium, Norman
2027: Cotton Bowl, Dallas
2028: Royal Memorial Stadium, Austin

2029: Cotton Bowl, Dallas
2030: Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium, Norman
2031: Cotton Bowl, Dallas
2032: Royal Memorial Stadium, Austin

The last time this game was played on Oklahoma soil was 1922 in Norman.

Red River Showdown - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

You sound like EZ million

[OKCretro]

It won't stop being a neutral site game. Too much of the donor budgets is based on donating to get ou tx tickets

[Laramie]

Certainly understand what the feel of this game is about in regards to it being held in Dallas; it will never change.

As long as there is a finite benchmark for renegotiating the game site, then that tells me that they don't want 'Dallas' too become to comfortable with letting the venue go as they did with previous times they felt the game would never be moved. The conditions of the 'Cotton Bowl' will have to be kept in check.

I've been a 'Sooner fan' for life and I will continue to support our football team in times of good or bad years. My biggest beef with some so-called 'supporters and donors,' they only come out when the program is prolific. Our recent Sugar Bowl 'win' over Alabama brought many of these people out--many of those same people didn't 'go to' or see the game--they thought Alabama would slaughter OU. Now, they dawn the Sooner attire and pledge their allegiance to the Sooner football nation. That's life!

As for the 'game' being moved; it's good do review and discuss this matter. In the long run, our individual opinions won't amount to a 'hill of beans.'

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[SOONER8693]

Certainly understand what the feel of this game is about in regards to it being held in Dallas; it will never change.

As long as there is a finite benchmark for renegotiating the game site, then that tells me that they don't want 'Dallas' too become to comfortable with letting the venue go as they did with previous times they felt the game would never be moved. The conditions of the 'Cotton Bowl' will have to be kept in check.

I've been a 'Sooner fan' for life and I will continue to support our football team in times of good or bad years. My biggest beef with some so-called 'supporters and donors,' they only come out when the program is prolific. Our recent Sugar Bowl 'win' over Alabama brought many of these people out--many of those same people didn't 'go to' or see the game--they thought Alabama would slaughter OU. Now, they dawn the Sooner attire and pledge their allegiance to the Sooner football nation. That's life!

As for the 'game' being moved; it's good do review and discuss this matter. In the long run, our individual opinions won't amount to a 'hill of beans.'

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

You must know way different "Sooner fans" than the ones I know. All Sooner fans I know were even hardcore OU through the 90's. That was not easy. You know, Sooner born, Sooner bred, and when I die ............

[mugofbeer]

Going for OU-TX weekend is absolutely a wonderful time. I believe the City of Dallas and (possibly) the state do pay some money back. Could be wrong tho. One thing I am not wrong about is that the weekend of that game rocks!

[Mel]

Will they or have they re-built Big Tex. That always made me feel that yeah, this is the place.

[bluedogok]

You must know way different "Sooner fans" than the ones I know. All Sooner fans I know were even hardcore OU through the 90's. That was not easy. You know, Sooner born, Sooner bred, and when I die ............

The 90's kind of shook some of the "dead weight" season ticket holders out and opened it up for a bunch of fans that break through the old wait list without a huge donation.

[ou48A]

Will they or have they re-built Big Tex. That always made me feel that yeah, this is the place.

They had a new Big Tex for last year’s game