The University of Michigan has announced plans for a $260 million expansion of the Michigan Football Stadium, affectionately known by alumni and supporters as “The Big House.”
It's Big. The largest American-style football stadium in the world, seating about 111,000 for Saturday games.
It was built in 1927 at a cost of $950,000 and with footings to handle expansion to 150,000 seats on game day.
But more seats (at least cheaper ones) are not part of the University’s current Stadium expansion plans.
The University will spend much of that $260 million, according to news reports, to build private Stadium suites – which will be rented or sold to wealthy football patrons and corporations.
A group of University of Michigan alumni objected; suggesting the money build more and cheaper stadium seats. Too late, the U-M Board of Regents told the alumni group.
Chances are, U-M's football opponents would vote with the University Regents.The last thing they'd want is 50,000 more screamin' Michigan fans in The Big House on Saturday.