Thoughts on the Neyland Entertainment District

[VolatileVol]

They should add Top Golf and other similar facilities around the stadium. Maybe some helicopter tours and an FI kart track. Maybe even a ski slope where we used to sit and listen to the band on the hill. Let's see if we can make these football tickets $500 a pop even for Homecoming games going forward!

It's football. Just give me a dang ol' hotdog and petro and let's just create some green grass around the stadium instead.

 

[WallyBalls]

The district is commercial glitz, lacking in any character or substance. No different from any other pro sport venue. Just more opportunities to uproot anything unique or local and replace it with commercial point-of-sale stations.

The hotel however is a complete travesty, and I cannot believe the powers that be are allowing it. Actually, no, strike that, I can believe it, because there must be money changing hands to get that approved. I despise it.

Have you noticed they NEVER show any views of what the building will look like from inside the stadium? They always show "low" or distant views from the ground, at angles that make look the hotel look as inobtrusive as possible. But if you look closely, the hotel is almost TRIPLE the height of the Neyland press boxes, and wide enough to stretch from section GG to the letters or even the jumbotron (it's tough to tell with the renders; the idea they'd build a hotel that only stretches the distance between GG and IIis hard to swallow - and every new render it gets a little bigger).

Just look at how damn tall the thing is in this picture.


Look at that. It's even bigger than original renders - and it's RIGHT NEXT to the stadium. In the old renders, the building was at least lower and somewhat in line with the press boxes (and that one sucked too, just less than this new rendering). The building will make the view feel cramped, claustrophobic, but worst of all, it will permanently break up the brilliant blue skylines of Neyland. Just imagine seeing this next time you're in your seats-

Or this -


Now those are just dirty photoshops, but it's not like the real thing will be any better. No more unbroken view of Tennessee, no more full blue sky, all for a giant private commercial condo building built for specific folks to preside over everything. And THAT'S why they don't EVER show renderings of the building from inside the stadium, because they know how awful it's going to look. And the less people pay attention, the easier it'll be to build it without complaint.

I know for some it doesn't matter. "I just want to watch football," etc., etc. That's all whatever. I'm sure plenty wouldn't care if they built six condo-hotels around the entire exterior and blocked the view of everything. I've given up on thinking otherwise. But aesthetically the design is garish and will detract from the visual experience inside the stadium.

Everytime I see a rendering I can't help but think "It kinda looks like Iowa's stadium where they wave at the Children's Hospital...but I guess we can just wave to the Ultra Money folks in the condos."

Whole thing is just gross.

 

[IndianaVol]

I'm like most others and split on my feelings.
On one hand, I like about 90% of what the plan involves in terms of the retail spaces and such.
BUT...that hotel needs some reimagining.

If they are truly going after the ultra big money donors and increasing the game day experience, then here's a thought.
Lower the height so it's not as obtrusive to the sight lines, broaden it towards the press boxes to keep capacity, then have a sky bridge that connects hotel / condo to the stadium.
It would be a one of a kind gameday / weekend experience that the big money folks would salivate over.

 

[zeppelin128]

The district is commercial glitz, lacking in any character or substance. No different from any other pro sport venue. Just more opportunities to uproot anything unique or local and replace it with commercial point-of-sale stations.

The hotel however is a complete travesty, and I cannot believe the powers that be are allowing it. Actually, no, strike that, I can believe it, because there must be money changing hands to get that approved. I despise it.

Have you noticed they NEVER show any views of what the building will look like from inside the stadium? They always show "low" or distant views from the ground, at angles that make look the hotel look as inobtrusive as possible. But if you look closely, the hotel is almost TRIPLE the height of the Neyland press boxes, and wide enough to stretch from section GG to the letters or even the jumbotron (it's tough to tell with the renders; the idea they'd build a hotel that only stretches the distance between GG and IIis hard to swallow - and every new render it gets a little bigger).

Just look at how damn tall the thing is in this picture.

View attachment 830329View attachment 830332
Look at that. It's even bigger than original renders - and it's RIGHT NEXT to the stadium. In the old renders, the building was at least lower and somewhat in line with the press boxes (and that one sucked too, just less than this new rendering). The building will make the view feel cramped, claustrophobic, but worst of all, it will permanently break up the brilliant blue skylines of Neyland. Just imagine seeing this next time you're in your seats-

View attachment 830336
Or this -

View attachment 830337
Now those are just dirty photoshops, but it's not like the real thing will be any better. No more unbroken view of Tennessee, no more full blue sky, all for a giant private commercial condo building built for specific folks to preside over everything. And THAT'S why they don't EVER show renderings of the building from inside the stadium, because they know how awful it's going to look. And the less people pay attention, the easier it'll be to build it without complaint.

I know for some it doesn't matter. "I just want to watch football," etc., etc. That's all whatever. I'm sure plenty wouldn't care if they built six condo-hotels around the entire exterior and blocked the view of everything. I've given up on thinking otherwise. But aesthetically the design is garish and will detract from the visual experience inside the stadium.

Here here, well-said. The entertainment district isn't the big issue, and a footbridge connecting the south side of the river was needed 30 years ago.

But that condohotel thing is an abomination. It has no business being that close to Neyland.

 

[Voltopia]

I'm like most others and split on my feelings.
On one hand, I like about 90% of what the plan involves in terms of the retail spaces and such.
BUT...that hotel needs some reimagining.

If they are truly going after the ultra big money donors and increasing the game day experience, then here's a thought.
Lower the height so it's not as obtrusive to the sight lines, broaden it towards the press boxes to keep capacity, then have a sky bridge that connects hotel / condo to the stadium.
It would be a one of a kind gameday / weekend experience that the big money folks would salivate over.

Hell, I wouldn't even be surprised if that's part of the plan.

Let's say your goal is merely to get your commercial storefronts and stadium-attached condominiums. If built, they both enrich you and those who partner with you while also making you some of the most influential and elite individuals in Tennessee athletics for the rest of your lives. The plans have always been rejected until now. This is your administration - clearly - and this is your chance to make it happen. It's now or never.

So what do you do? You add a lightning rod. Propose something so awful, so visually offensive that everyone screams bloody murder, then when they ask you to "compromise" you go "oh okay, sure, we understand, we'll make it more in line with the aesthetics of the surrounding structures." That way you appear reasonable, and instead of people griping about how you've turned the entire gameday experience into a hideously expensive and soulless commercial storefront, they instead talk mostly about how reasonable you were to reduce your eyesore of a hotel. You get your fabulously overpriced accommodations, connected the damn stadium no less, all your business storefronts, and people thank you for being "reasonable."

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I never understand "they've priced the average fan out of the market" when the stadium continues to sell out.

Who is going? My legs are bad and I can't go without being a burden to family but folks I know that go are just like we were in the day, usually Dad and kids, sometimes the whole kit and kaboodle, sometimes a few neighbors, a group of work friends, etc. Via the TV, Neyland games look like a heck of a good time is had by all.

What's changed other than, like my automobile... my groceries.... my gas..... my insurance.... my light bill...... it's more expensive?

 

[OrangeVolMan]

Pretty much what I will be doing. Priced out the average fan and of course Dan doesn't care about them just look at what happened with baseball renovation and building more suites to knock out average Joe's. I feel this Neyland entertainment district is not the way to go but what do I know. Just reserve a $400 a night room on top level of hotel and watch the game there.

A room with a view won’t be $400. Try more like a $1,000.

 

[VolatileVol]

I never understand "they've priced the average fan out of the market" when the stadium continues to sell out.

Who is going? My legs are bad and I can't go without being a burden to family but folks I know that go are just like we were in the day, usually Dad and kids, sometimes the whole kit and kaboodle, sometimes a few neighbors, a group of work friends, etc. Via the TV, Neyland games look like a heck of a good time is had by all.

What's changed other than, like my automobile... my groceries.... my gas..... my insurance.... my light bill...... it's more expensive?

In 2022 I think the cheapest tickets were about $300. This season I think the cheapest tickets are around $550. You don't have to be a scholar to see the issue here. Beyond even that, it's a totally different crowd today than it was 20 years ago, for better and worse, of course.

 

[trout-vol]

We lose space where families could meet up and their kids could play for a place that will be too crowded to take your eyes off your kids. It’s just another step in eliminating family friendly for corporate friendly.

Circle Park has already turned from a place where old friends could bring some corn hole boards and toss a football to something that looks like a Civil War encampment, with all the giant generic tents.

G10 people aren’t going to like getting bumped and the people who get bumped because G10 donors are higher priority aren’t going to like it either.

Whatever.. I have no interest in driving 3 hours to Knoxville to stand in a crowded bar for hours before going to sit for 5 hours on crowded steel benches. This entertainment district is for locals only.. Let Knoxville buy the university from the state and change the name to Knoxville State.

The strip is dead, parking is dwindling, there is no good place to hang out unless you buy a parking pass which will go up in price since there will be less spaces available now. This Entertainment District will be filled 7-8 times a year but other than that I don't think it'll be as busy as the administration think.

 

[trout-vol]

A room with a view won’t be $400. Try more like a $1,000.

With a 2 night minimum

 

[trout-vol]

If you think this is going to be some sort of direct money hose into the Athletic Dept. and especially NIL funding, I've got an oceanfront opportunity in Arizona I'd love to talk to you about....

I feel there is some delusionment with this athletic department. They think that pricing out middle class people will help the stadium and the program. They have no idea what contributed to Tennessee's success

 

[Orangesmokey]

In 2022 I think the cheapest tickets were about $300. This season I think the cheapest tickets are around $550. You don't have to be a scholar to see the issue here. Beyond even that, it's a totally different crowd today than it was 20 years ago, for better and worse, of course.

Are those the prices on secondary market? If so UT doesn't control that price. Now that being said.. I believe the cost of season tickets has gone up along with the donation but someone who has season tickets can verify that.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

In 2022 I think the cheapest tickets were about $300. This season I think the cheapest tickets are around $550. You don't have to be a scholar to see the issue here. Beyond even that, it's a totally different crowd today than it was 20 years ago, for better and worse, of course.

Huh? You mean a good product started costing more than a lousy product did a few years before? Huh? That's..... uh.... normal.

Being older, it always "was better in the old days" but the younguns don't know the old days, will never hear John Ward live, etc. Oddly, my Dad said the crowds were better before 1960 "before these dang hippie kids started to school and dress like bums for the game."

His idea of a bum was jeans and a sweatshirt with Power T on it instead of a cardigan and a dress for the ladies, I think. Sound familiar to how we dress now?

 

[ArmchairQB]

I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near gameday management with a hotel attached to the stadium. Bomb sweeps are enough of a pain without having to deal with a bunch of private rooms and guests.

 

[BruisedOrange]

Irrelevant to me. They priced me out 3 12 years ago anyway. Now I enjoy all the games on the comfort of my couch, in front of my 65" 8" OLED portable radio.

Personalized your post.

While my emotions agree with practically every negative opinion posted in this thread, the fact of the matter is (regretably, deplorably) that if we want to have winning programs, we have to generate tons more money than imagined even two years ago! Next season's men's basketball team is estimated to be costing $15 million! Absolutely that prices most families out of the picture.

Credit to DA for realizing that coming cost early and acting (how wisely, only time will tell) to get ahead of other athletic departments.

But beyond the new cost of winning, there's also a global economic reset of some kind coming that will inevitably change the donor landscape.

AI seems sure to begin replacing white collar jobs first, and the professions second. Within 4 years, gameday experiences may be affordable only to entrepreneurs. Or--if anything like Musk's predicted universal high income becomes reality--in as many years gamedays may become affordable to everyone again.

With such a radically changing but unpredictable future bearing down on us, it's hard for me to criticize anyone's plan--other than those who would carry on with the status quo, in denial that change is coming. (...no matter how much I abso-dang-tively hate it!)

 

[MarkHodge]

The district is commercial glitz, lacking in any character or substance. No different from any other pro sport venue. Just more opportunities to uproot anything unique or local and replace it with commercial point-of-sale stations.

The hotel however is a complete travesty, and I cannot believe the powers that be are allowing it. Actually, no, strike that, I can believe it, because there must be money changing hands to get that approved. I despise it.

Have you noticed they NEVER show any views of what the building will look like from inside the stadium? They always show "low" or distant views from the ground, at angles that make look the hotel look as inobtrusive as possible. But if you look closely, the hotel is almost TRIPLE the height of the Neyland press boxes, and wide enough to stretch from section GG to the letters or even the jumbotron (it's tough to tell with the renders; the idea they'd build a hotel that only stretches the distance between GG and IIis hard to swallow - and every new render it gets a little bigger).

Just look at how damn tall the thing is in this picture.

View attachment 830329View attachment 830332
Look at that. It's even bigger than original renders - and it's RIGHT NEXT to the stadium. In the old renders, the building was at least lower and somewhat in line with the press boxes (and that one sucked too, just less than this new rendering). The building will make the view feel cramped, claustrophobic, but worst of all, it will permanently break up the brilliant blue skylines of Neyland. Just imagine seeing this next time you're in your seats-

View attachment 830336
Or this -

View attachment 830337
Now those are just dirty photoshops, but it's not like the real thing will be any better. No more unbroken view of Tennessee, no more full blue sky, all for a giant private commercial condo building built for specific folks to preside over everything. And THAT'S why they don't EVER show renderings of the building from inside the stadium, because they know how awful it's going to look. And the less people pay attention, the easier it'll be to build it without complaint.

I know for some it doesn't matter. "I just want to watch football," etc., etc. That's all whatever. I'm sure plenty wouldn't care if they built six condo-hotels around the entire exterior and blocked the view of everything. I've given up on thinking otherwise. But aesthetically the design is garish and will detract from the visual experience inside the stadium.

I think it's a travesty and shouldn't be built, but I'm 65 and no longer a relevant fan according to Danny.

The district is commercial glitz, lacking in any character or substance. No different from any other pro sport venue. Just more opportunities to uproot anything unique or local and replace it with commercial point-of-sale stations.

The hotel however is a complete travesty, and I cannot believe the powers that be are allowing it. Actually, no, strike that, I can believe it, because there must be money changing hands to get that approved. I despise it.

Have you noticed they NEVER show any views of what the building will look like from inside the stadium? They always show "low" or distant views from the ground, at angles that make look the hotel look as inobtrusive as possible. But if you look closely, the hotel is almost TRIPLE the height of the Neyland press boxes, and wide enough to stretch from section GG to the letters or even the jumbotron (it's tough to tell with the renders; the idea they'd build a hotel that only stretches the distance between GG and IIis hard to swallow - and every new render it gets a little bigger).

Just look at how damn tall the thing is in this picture.

View attachment 830329View attachment 830332
Look at that. It's even bigger than original renders - and it's RIGHT NEXT to the stadium. In the old renders, the building was at least lower and somewhat in line with the press boxes (and that one sucked too, just less than this new rendering). The building will make the view feel cramped, claustrophobic, but worst of all, it will permanently break up the brilliant blue skylines of Neyland. Just imagine seeing this next time you're in your seats-

View attachment 830336
Or this -

View attachment 830337
Now those are just dirty photoshops, but it's not like the real thing will be any better. No more unbroken view of Tennessee, no more full blue sky, all for a giant private commercial condo building built for specific folks to preside over everything. And THAT'S why they don't EVER show renderings of the building from inside the stadium, because they know how awful it's going to look. And the less people pay attention, the easier it'll be to build it without complaint.

I know for some it doesn't matter. "I just want to watch football," etc., etc. That's all whatever. I'm sure plenty wouldn't care if they built six condo-hotels around the entire exterior and blocked the view of everything. I've given up on thinking otherwise. But aesthetically the design is garish and will detract from the visual experience inside the stadium.

I think it's a travesty and shouldn't be built, but I'm 65 and no longer relevant as a fan, according to Danny Bucks. I'll just stay home, watch from my TV and save my $$ and 4 hr drive from Huntingdon.

 

[VolatileVol]

Huh? You mean a good product started costing more than a lousy product did a few years before? Huh? That's..... uh.... normal.

Being older, it always "was better in the old days" but the younguns don't know the old days, will never hear John Ward live, etc. Oddly, my Dad said the crowds were better before 1960 "before these dang hippie kids started to school and dress like bums for the game."

His idea of a bum was jeans and a sweatshirt with Power T on it instead of a cardigan and a dress for the ladies, I think. Sound familiar to how we dress now?

Fashion recycles every 15-25 years so that seems uncorrelated to the discussion, imo. Can't say I saw a game in the 1960's, but my family speaks highly of those times in a similar manner your old man did I presume. Why we paying more for tickets now than we did from 1996 - 2003? Haven't had a team nearly as good as any of those to constitute a price increase of any sort based on your own logic, right?

IMO. Best crowds were in the 1990's. Just enough old heads sneaking in jars of burgundy mixed with enough real football fans to make it impossible to talk to the person beside you for the entirety of any Florida home game.

 

[VolatileVol]

Are those the prices on secondary market? If so UT doesn't control that price. Now that being said.. I believe the cost of season tickets has gone up along with the donation but someone who has season tickets can verify that.

I just quickly looked up cheapest prices for those seasons via AI for discussion purposes. I didn't extensively research the topic. Just putting easy to locate figures in hopes others could more easily look the data up and follow along.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Fashion recycles every 15-25 years so that seems uncorrelated to the discussion, imo. Can't say I saw a game in the 1960's, but my family speaks highly of those times in a similar manner your old man did I presume. Why we paying more for tickets now than we did from 1996 - 2003? Haven't had a team nearly as good as any of those to constitute a price increase of any sort based on your own logic, right?

IMO. Best crowds were in the 1990's. Just enough old heads sneaking in jars of burgundy mixed with enough real football fans to make it impossible to talk to the person beside you for the entirety of any Florida home game.

It's called inflation. Why are we paying more for EVERYTHING than we did 15-20 years ago?

I'm not denying that I'd probably agree with you (and my Dad) that who are these people and where are the "real Vol fans" now? But we had our day, Dad had his day, and these "non fan fans" will have their day.

Heck, General Neyland ran the Single Wing until he retired because "that's how football ought to be played." C'mon. Great coach but..... he had his day and it passed.

Time, the bus, and the tax man waits for no man.

 

[VolatileVol]

It's called inflation. Why are we paying more for EVERYTHING than we did 15-20 years ago?

I'm not denying that I'd probably agree with you (and my Dad) that who are these people and where are the "real Vol fans" now? But we had our day, Dad had his day, and these "non fan fans" will have their day.

Heck, General Neyland ran the Single Wing until he retired because "that's how football ought to be played." C'mon. Great coach but..... he had his day and it passed.

Time, the bus, and the tax man waits for no man.

Inflation the past 12 months was 3.3%. Inflation has increased 12.2% in total since 2022. Tickets increased 4% year over year, and also includes an additional 10% fee now (14% annual increase or 10 more than current inflation). Prior season was 14.5% increase I think. I don't care to go back to 2022, but I trust you get the point. In reality, inflation isn't even a major factor in the recent increases.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Inflation the past 12 months was 3.3%. Inflation has increased 12.2% in total since 2022. Tickets increased 4% year over year, and also includes an additional 10% fee now (14% annual increase or 10 more than current inflation). Prior season was 14.5% increase I think. I don't care to go back to 2022, but I trust you get the point. In reality, inflation isn't even a major factor in the recent increases.

For sure, the changing landscape of funding a major football program plays a big part in the increases but that's not a UT issue specifically but an issue any major program faces. It costs big money now to compete and while TV money goes a long way, it doesn't go all the way.

It's like we have decided not to have the F-150 but move to the Lincoln Mark LT. Better? Meh, but we've chosen to get the bells and whistles in this era.

 

[dobre_shunka]

In 2022 I think the cheapest tickets were about $300. This season I think the cheapest tickets are around $550. You don't have to be a scholar to see the issue here. Beyond even that, it's a totally different crowd today than it was 20 years ago, for better and worse, of course.

Tickets started at $390 each for 2026.

In 1991, those exact same sections were about $250 per seat with required donation. Adjusting for 35 years of inflation, that $250 would be $600 today.

 

[VolatileVol]

Tickets started at $390 each for 2026.

In 1991, those exact same sections were about $250 per seat with required donation. Adjusting for 35 years of inflation, that $250 would be $600 today.

View attachment 830403
View attachment 830404

$250 would be the pricy seats. Was more like $150 for a season ticket in 1991. You could easily scalp a ticket for $20-$40 most any game back then (Heck I paid an Usher $20 to get in the Sugar Bowl WITHOUT A TICKET in 1989 for reference. different times entirely). That would be $363 in today's market. OR half of what we currently paying. The defense rests, Your Honor.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Personalized your post.

While my emotions agree with practically every negative opinion posted in this thread, the fact of the matter is (regretably, deplorably) that if we want to have winning programs, we have to generate tons more money than imagined even two years ago! Next season's men's basketball team is estimated to be costing $15 million! Absolutely that prices most families out of the picture.

Credit to DA for realizing that coming cost early and acting (how wisely, only time will tell) to get ahead of other athletic departments.

But beyond the new cost of winning, there's also a global economic reset of some kind coming that will inevitably change the donor landscape.

AI seems sure to begin replacing white collar jobs first, and the professions second. Within 4 years, gameday experiences may be affordable only to entrepreneurs. Or--if anything like Musk's predicted universal high income becomes reality--in as many years gamedays may become affordable to everyone again.

With such a radically changing but unpredictable future bearing down on us, it's hard for me to criticize anyone's plan--other than those who would carry on with the status quo, in denial that change is coming. (...no matter how much I abso-dang-tively hate it!)

I just dont believe that none of that can be achieved without an ugly hotel ruining the view from inside Neyland.

Also, if this mass global reset occurs and everyone is thrown out of work, what will be left to 'preneur'?

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I just dont believe that none of that can be achieved without an ugly hotel ruining the view from inside Neyland.

Also, if this mass global reset occurs and everyone is thrown out of work, what will be left to 'preneur'?

According to the complete whack job that is Musk we're going to colonize Mars and name our kids things like Techno Mechanicus.