Tennessee baseball Lindsey Nelson Stadium renovations include $8 million for naming rights
Tennessee baseball's Lindsey Nelson Stadium is headed for major renovations in the coming years. The changes could include a stadium name change.
The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees on Friday in Memphis approved a renovation budget of $95.8 million that includes projected revenues to address the costs. Among the projected revenues is nearly $8 million for naming rights.
This does not mean Tennessee is set to rename the stadium, named for the late legendary broadcaster Lindsey Nelson. But it does open the possibility as part of UT's plan to fund the stadium renovations, which will begin in August. It is typical for numerous parts of a stadium to be options for naming rights.
Tennessee declined to comment.
The funding will come from a combination of major donor gifts, ticket sales, seat donations, suite sales and the My All Campaign, along with $7.994 million earmarked for naming rights.
With the renovations, Tennessee plans to bring the stadium capacity to approximately 7,600 fans, an increase of almost 3,000. The capacity will include more than 6,100 permanent seats with the option add standing-room access for 1,600 fans. Lindsey Nelson Stadium's current capacity is approximately 4,250 before standing-room only seating.
The project addresses seating, premium-seating options, player development areas, new gates, wider concourses and concession stands. It places an emphasis on adding new premium seating options. It features upgrades to the current MVP Club, an open-air club level with suites that seats approximately 800 spectators, and tiers of tabletop seating overlooking third base. Media areas, kitchen, umpires' locker room, main entryways, concourses, covered seating and permanent seating along the third-base line also will be expanded and improved.
Lindsey Nelson Stadium opened in 1993 and is named after Nelson, who graduated from and started working for UT in the late 1930s. The Columbia, Tennessee, native, started the Vol Radio Network in 1949 and worked in sports information in the 1950s.
Nelson, who died in 1995 at 76, is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame among his many hall of fame honors. He broadcasted events including the World Series, the Rose Bowl, the Masters and NBA championships.
HISTORY: Lindsey Nelson — much more than just the name on Tennessee baseball stadium
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee baseball renovations include $8 million for naming rights
