Why is TCF Bank Stadium such a failure?

Nadine Babu is correct. TCF Bank Stadium is a failure.

It's not just the Gopher's new football stadium that's a loser. It's stadiums in general, especially the 'build it and they will come' stadiums.

The proponents, and the status quo of thinking, are typically accompanied by a handful of dead arguments. One of the most prominent being that of associated economic development. If we build it, the developers will come! Unfortunately this commonplace argument is based little in reality. In fact, based on the large subsidy and lost opportunity cost, the argument can be made that places like TCF Bank Stadium actually have a negative economic impact (if you're looking for proof, just view the before and after photos of stadium development).

The same argument is made with athletes. If we build it, they will come. We'll get better recruits? That's not true either. History tells us otherwise.

That's not what Babu is talking about. She wants a better game day experience. Unfortunately her suggestions are unlikely to help much.

1. We lose, a lot.

It's true that Gopher football is awful, especially when compared to the rest of the Big 10. College football is a cultural experience, and she's right in pointing out that it is missing at the University of Minnesota. Part of the problem is that the University of Minnesota has a much different setup than other large universities: it's in the city.

2. Cost.

Babu seems to think that $91 is too much. Considering the $300 plus million dollar taxpayer-funded stadium, $91 is a more than reasonable price. Students are on a budget. I get it. That was me once, but $91 seems more closely aligned with a bi-weekly beer budget than an excuse not to attend home football games.

3. Lack of tailgating options. Who doesn't love a good tailgate?

Back in the mid-2000s, I'd head to baseball games at the Metrodome with a handful of friends, grab a grill, some cheap beer and countless numbers of brats and burgers. We'd post up in the parking lot that's now Gold Medal Park and we'd eat, drink and occasionally make it to a Twins game.

Tailgating is not only fun, but it's synonymous with red, white and blue. It's become a new American tradition that is seamlessly being integrated into new stadium plans. The Minnesota Vikings proposal is no exception. But, tailgating lots in an urban area? That's a terrible use of a valuable limited resource: land.

4. The overall game day experience. There is none. Well, that's not true. Walk into Stub & Herbs before a game and tell me there isn't atmosphere. However, the spirit of Gopher football is fatalistic. You can't build a team on that. Part of the problem is that of expectation. The reality is that we've build up Gopher football bigger than it ought to be.

The State of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota collaborated to bring us a new stadium that the market could not bear. Now it's empty. The solution isn't financial for students. It has nothing to do with lowering ticket prices, offering specials, give-away's, bundles or giving away food or young alumni points. That ain't going to do the trick.

What was suppose to bring us pride has brought us embarrassment. Gopher football just can't compete against a campus and its robust surroundings that give students options not available at a lot of other universities. Gopher football is indirectly competing against a robust urban area that offers many entertainment options.

___