Ohio State to survey fans on potential Ohio Stadium renovations

Ohio State is preparing to survey fans and season-ticket holders about potential renovations to Ohio Stadium. The university’s athletic department has retained CSL, a sports and entertainment consulting firm, to distribute a survey as part of a feasibility study. The survey, which will begin circulating this week, is believed to be the most extensive assessment of potential upgrades to the historic stadium in at least a decade.

“We’ve got to keep up,” OSU athletic director Ross Bjork said. “Whether it’s driving revenue, whether it’s aging amenities, whether it’s fan experience stuff, it’s really just making sure the stadium is modernized every step of the way. ” The focus of the in-depth survey involves additional seating options, asking respondents about their interest in premium seats that range from club suites to standing-room-only spots and hospitality areas.

The questions also cover amenities as part of the seating possibilities such as all-inclusive food and beverage services. Athletics administrators said the current percentage of premium seats at the Horseshoe is at the lower end among college football’s largest stadiums, estimating around just 4% of seats are upscale compared to other venues that reserve about a tenth of their seats for similar spaces. The small fraction prompted them to gauge interest in more premium seating.

Kevin Griffin, a former Buckeyes wide receiver who is associate vice president for brand engagement, services and partnerships and associate director of athletics business strategy, said the process began last fall following conversations with donors. “One of the things we’re trying to do a better job of, and I hope we do the best in the country, is we actually have information that’s validated,” Griffin said, “that then we can have a conversation that’s really truly around information, data and facts as opposed to just a gut instinct. ” Ohio State first added premium seats as part of the stadium’s major renovation in 2001, building 81 luxury suites within a new press box on the west side.