Shama: Potential indoor hubs for BT football are US Bank Stadium, Detroit’s Ford Field and Indy’s Lucas Oil Stadium

[BleedGopher]

per Shama:


The same source said it’s likely former Vikings chief operating officer Kevin Warren, now commissioner of the Big Ten Conference, has talked to club ownership or management about using U.S. Bank Stadium for a potential late fall and winter Big Ten football schedule. U.S. Bank stadium is one of three regional domed sites (also Detroit’s Ford Field and Indy’s Lucas Oil Stadium) that could be indoor hubs for Big Ten games during the pandemic.

There is speculation about starting Big Ten football near Thanksgiving, November 26. That time frame could cause a pushback from the Vikings regarding stadium use including necessitated changes to the playing field while accommodating a schedule of Big Ten games. Complicating things is the Vikings having a busy close to the season in Minneapolis with home games scheduled November 22, 29, December 6 and 20, plus potential playoff dates.

Ties between the Big Ten and U.S. Bank Stadium are already happening with the facility management preparing a bid to host a future league championship game(s). Lucas Oil Stadium has been the game’s exclusive home since 2011 and will host the championship through next year, but Warren is interested in other sites.

While other cities and playing sites have also expressed interest, including Green Bay’s Lambeau Field, Minneapolis and U.S. Bank Stadium could be viewed most favorably. The facility is a consensus choice as being among the best football stadiums in the country and the city has a track record of success in hosting major events like the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four.

David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Go Gophers!!

 

[MplsGopher]

The next question will be, how many fans, if any. Guessing the conf will either say no fans, or leave it to the venue and local/state regulations.

 

[BilldGopher]

As for fans I think it should be a lottery for 20 season tix holders for both teams playing. B1G provides transport and food for literally a fly-in game-only visit for the lucky winners.

Do it by random computer draw on live B1G show some set time before the game. Fans are notified and have 24 hours to decide to go or not. If not, go to first runner-up and so-on.

I'd watch that show for sure!

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

I renew my calls to quarantine the B1G West inside US Bank stadium until a season is complete!!!

There's plenty of food, sunlight ,internet connections and etc.

 

[WindyCityGopher]

Seems the stadium authority can use this leverage to get a commitment for a couple B1G football championship games and a few conference basketball tournaments over the next decade. Draw some additional revenue into the city/state.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Seems the stadium authority can use this leverage to get a commitment for a couple B1G football championship games and a few conference basketball tournaments over the next decade. Draw some additional revenue into the city/state.

Not really sure B1G has to make a commitment here. Without having to worry about fans, they can go anywhere. They've already recomitted to Indy I belive.

 

[WindyCityGopher]

Not really sure B1G has to make a commitment here. Without having to worry about fans, they can go anywhere. They've already recomitted to Indy I belive.

If they're playing in December/January, or even later in the winter, they can't reasonably play outside and have any level of quality play. They have to play in domes, and there just aren't that many available in the conference's geography. I think that gives Minneapolis/USBS some leverage.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

If they're playing in December/January, or even later in the winter, they can't reasonably play outside and have any level of quality play. They have to play in domes, and there just aren't that many available in the conference's geography. I think that gives Minneapolis/USBS some leverage.

But there is competition, no reason for the B1G to have to make a deal if someone else won't hold them to some sort of deal.

 

[MplsGopher]

USBS is one of only three football-prioritized domes within Big Ten states that can reasonably host the conf championship game, and the only one in the West.

Unless Indy is going to get it until the end of time, I would be shocked if USBS didn’t get to host it eventually.

If Chicago ever gets a 2nd NFL franchise, and they didn’t just put it in Soldier field, then maybe one day there will be a fourth such dome.

 

[TurfGopher]

I could care less where these games take place. Hopefully it comes to fruition.

 

[fmlizard]

What happens if even one Big Ten school wants students in classrooms?

I've said this before but I think it's easier to pull off a football season in Zoom school than normal attendance. It was weird optics to have football with remote classes. It's even weirder to have bubble football at a remote site and players missing the (possible) return of physical classes.

Also, Indy has the best shot of these venues to be a hub city because:

A. Politics - more permissive attendance/regs
B. Central location
C. It's a hub/HQ city for the NCAA

 

[GoGophersUMN]

What happens if even one Big Ten school wants students in classrooms?

I've said this before but I think it's easier to pull off a football season in Zoom school than normal attendance. It was weird optics to have football with remote classes. It's even weirder to have bubble football at a remote site and players missing the (possible) return of physical classes.

Also, Indy has the best shot of these venues to be a hub city because:

A. Politics - more permissive attendance/regs
B. Central location
C. It's a hub/HQ city for the NCAA

I think the chances are 0 that any Big Ten schools have mandatory in-person classes this semester. Some students have a higher chance of serious complications if they get infected and most schools will let them learn from home because it just makes sense, and the ones who don't see it that way will let them learn from home to avoid the terrible PR of telling immune compromised students that they need to attend in person and risk getting sick if they want to take classes. If some students are able to take classes virtually, it makes sense to expand that to anyone who wants to, rather than making case by case decisions on who deserves it.

If it's just one Indy has the best chance but I wonder if they'd do two with one for the east and one for the west. Then Minnesota would be the only option in the west if they want an NFL stadium, although there is Miller Park and a few college stadiums in or near the Big Ten west states.

 

[alchemy2u]

I think the chances are 0 that any Big Ten schools have mandatory in-person classes this semester. Some students have a higher chance of serious complications if they get infected and most schools will let them learn from home because it just makes sense, and the ones who don't see it that way will let them learn from home to avoid the terrible PR of telling immune compromised students that they need to attend in person and risk getting sick if they want to take classes. If some students are able to take classes virtually, it makes sense to expand that to anyone who wants to, rather than making case by case decisions on who deserves it.

If it's just one Indy has the best chance but I wonder if they'd do two with one for the east and one for the west. Then Minnesota would be the only option in the west if they want an NFL stadium, although there is Miller Park and a few college stadiums in or near the Big Ten west states.

Agree on the classes.

It would be impossible to play all the games at just one site. That is 7 games/weekend. That could be split up into 3 stadiums. The big key is to isolate the players from the general school population and keep them in a bubble with classes online or a group of isolated teachers that could teach common classes for all the B1G schools. So for example, players can attend classes at the school/location they are playing that game. So the U would be in charge of conducting the classes for the US Bank games, etc... Just a crazy idea, but everything is possible. It is much better idea than the wild-west scenario that is taking place in the SEC/ACC/B12.

 

[MplsGopher]

What happens if even one Big Ten school wants students in classrooms?

I've said this before but I think it's easier to pull off a football season in Zoom school than normal attendance. It was weird optics to have football with remote classes. It's even weirder to have bubble football at a remote site and players missing the (possible) return of physical classes.

Also, Indy has the best shot of these venues to be a hub city because:

A. Politics - more permissive attendance/regs
B. Central location
C. It's a hub/HQ city for the NCAA

Not a hub for airlines though. Detroit and Mpls are.

Granted, that matters much less if few/no fans are allowed to attend.