🤯 Allen Fieldhouse HEARINGS: Details on Major Renovations Emerging

Changes to the upper corners, seating, concourses, video boards, donor areas and more are all possible.

Feb 28, 2023

In This Newsletter

Seating changes are possible (with a warning) 😰
In-Game experience upgrades are coming 📺
Concourses and Donor Atrium expansion 🥂
Players experience upgrades 💪

When and Why?

Significant changes are coming to Allen Fieldhouse, and it's happening soon. I've been working hard to land details of the changes for months, and finally feel comfortable sharing what I've heard.

Bill Self confirmed Monday night that Kansas will announce renovations within days of the final home game this season. I expect construction to start shortly after and for Allen Fieldhouse to look different next season.

Jordan Guskey @JordanGuskey

Bill Self indicated tonight on Hawk Talk the major renovations to Allen Fieldhouse could be introduced in the next week to 10 days. Will address changes inside, and outside, the arena. #kubball

Focusing on the social experience of coming to a game is a clear theme emerging from basketball and football renovations. The goal would be to keep people from coming in shortly before tip and leaving right after the game.

Kansas is clearly looking to maximize revenue from its most premium space. This is understandable — it’s expensive to be one of the best. NIL money also changes where donations land, forcing KU to generate funds in several new ways.

Before I get into the details, I want to caveat one thing. Kansas explored several ideas to improve Allen Fieldhouse, and it's hard for me to say precisely where some of them landed. So I'm passing along what I've heard as best I can.

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I've long heard something could change with seating in one or more of the upper corners. The idea was centered around creating group/corporate opportunities that, I think, would include a drinking/patio/bar area.
- This is something I think will happen, but I wasn’t able to confirm what the final decision was. This will be polarizing for some, and understandably so. Those upper corners are part of the soul of the building, keeping AFH accessible while the product continues to improve.
- At the same time, it sounds like the corners are growing harder and harder to fill throughout a season. If that’s the case, it’s hard to blame KU.
I'd also expect additional "premium seating" to be added without changing the look of the Fieldhouse. I've heard about adding suites near or behind seats, likely on the 2nd floor. These would be like personal lounges for donors closer to the action. Hopefully it will resolve some of the halftime scrambling between seats and the Donor Atrium.

These two changes have been difficult to pin down. I’m confident these were seriously considered at the very least, thus worth sharing more broadly. KU explored significant changes here (should the roof be raised?). You can’t blame them for looking at everything, but…

A Warning to KU

You are caretakers of a building that will be here long after your time at this school. It sounds like you’ve been been mindful of maintaining the aesthetic, and I certainly hope that’s the case. Don’t let challenging times force your hand. In other words: don’t f*ck up an unf*ckupabble place.

In-Game Experience Changes

I expect a new and improved “center-hung” scoreboard. You won’t have to squint to read stats anymore.
I’ve heard KU was considering adding video boards in the corners. Those screens would likely keep stats, improving the fan experience while providing additional sales revenue for KU Athletics. Those corner boards will get a lot of eyeballs for sponsorships.
Lighting, air conditioning, and sound improvements will make a big difference for people despite not being the sexiest change.
- My guess, not a Hearing: A/C could be a huge deal here. It potentially opens The Fieldhouse to year-round events like concerts, galas, speakers. The building was off limits for crowds from May-September. That could change now.
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Concourses/Donor Atrium Expansion

There should be much-needed improvements to the 2nd and 3rd-floor concourses — and concessions throughout the building.
I expect an expanded donor atrium with private rooms included.
I've also heard talk of another bar added on the second level. Likely near the parking garage entrance. Was told to look at WVU's newly opened "Club 35"

WVU Men's Basketball @WVUhoops

𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝟑𝟓 Open tomorrow for Summit level donors! 🙌 For more information, contact the Mountaineer Athletic Club. #HailWV

Players Experience Upgrades

Football players aren’t the only ones benefiting from the Athletics investments. KU’s locker rooms should also see a facelift.
One idea I've heard includes a larger Rock Chalk Video studio, helping athletes with their brand and content creation for revenue opportunities with NIL.
One external change I've heard of includes updating the look of Wagnon Student-Athlete Center. It would probably take on more of a DeBruce Center aesthetic.
The baseball and sales offices should move out of Allen Fieldhouse, creating more room for the changes. Guessing that means changes are coming to baseball facilities as well.

The Scope

My one fear in sharing this now is a change in scope due to football fundraising requirements. If fundraising is limited, Allen Fieldhouse changes would focus on technical improvements, such as video board, lighting, A/C, sound, and the expanded donor room (which I'm confident in).

Either way, these are still substantial changes coming to The Fieldhouse.

Let’s talk about it. Let me know what you think. I’ve also got a fun Hearing I should be able to include ahead of the game vs. Texas Tech tonight. Seeing the channel grow energizes me even more. Thank you all for supporting The Hearings.