Donovan McNabb and the State of Football
The University of South Florida is on track to build a brand new stadium.
The finance committee of the school’s board of trustees unanimously approved the financial plan for the $340 million, 35,000-seat venue set to open in July 2026, with construction beginning in October.
The building would house USF’s football and lacrosse teams. The football team currently plays at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I think an on-campus stadium really improves the student experience and really activates the campus,” said USF chief financial officer Richard Sobieray. “It brings some additional reputation to the university, and I think it’s a positive thing.”
The full board of trustees and the state university system board of governors still have to approve the project before it can officially move forward. The trustees could approve the plan at a meeting on June 13.
USF would spend $140 million under the plan, with another $200 million borrowed over 20 years. The school would source $50 million from donations to the USF foundation, $31 million from its capital improvement fund, and an estimated $59 million from selling broadband equipment and licenses.
The stadium was designed by Barton Malow and Populous, which will receive $22 million for its services.
