In September 2021, USF's board chair Will Weatherford announced plans for a new $340 million on-campus stadium, aiming to revitalize the Bulls' football program. Although the stadium has been a long-discussed project, Weatherford admitted that there was no concrete plan, location, or funding strategy in place. The new venue is poised to transform the university's football presence, offering a chance for greater competitiveness. Yet, the gamble lies in potentially deepening financial burdens if the program fails to attract success in a rapidly evolving college football landscape.
USF administrators say the 35,000-seat venue will transform the university and transcend fall Saturdays when it opens in 2027. But it's also a nine-figure shot at relevance for a football program that has never won a conference title or appeared in a major bowl game.
Weatherford had no actual plan. No location in mind. No idea how much it would cost. No proposal to pay for it. And no contingencies for whatever industry headwinds were brewing.
Sometimes in life, Weatherford said, you just have to speak things into existence.
We don't just want to be in the game, Weatherford said. We want to be competitive in the game and win.
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