New Scoreboards Coming to Big House?

Source: Melanie Maxwell, AnnArbor.com

With revenues expected to be around $105 million for the 2011 fiscal year, Michigan's athletic department is a money factory these days. The total operating expenses for athletics is expected to be around $100.3 million...the first time that number has ever topped the million dollar century mark. Even with all the expenses of multiple construction projects from the huge expansion of Michigan Stadium to the new practice facility at Crisler, the department is expected to clear a surplus of $4.7 million dollars when all is said and done. 

To offer a little insight, Brandon told AnnArbor.com that $38.2 million will come from spectator admissions (ticket sales). Around $20 million will come directly from the Big Ten (thank you Big Ten Network), and a whopping $11 million will come directly from the new premium seating at Michigan Stadium.

According to Brandon, 75% of the luxury suites are sold.

“We‘re kind of at that moment where people start thinking about football in the fall,” Brandon said. “We can take them up there, and they can actually see what the facility looks like because its 90 percent completed. 

“We have a lot of interest being shown. We’ve been giving a lot of tours.”

So what kind of projects does Dave Brandon have up his sleeve for all this money? How about new scoreboards not only for football, but maybe Yost and Crisler...and maybe even other venues as well. But what's also interesting is the other improvements coming to Yost.

“We’re looking at some updates and enhancements to Yost ­- bleachers, the concession areas, the circulation space, lighting,” Brandon said. “And we’re looking at some real interesting things as it relates to the scoreboard and technology in all of our venues, including the football stadium."

“We’re in a situation where one of the things we have to attend to at some point in the future would be update the technology because there’s HD technology, bigger screens and higher resolution that our fans would really enjoy.”

Michigan Stadium deserves a scoreboard, and more importantly HD screen(s) that befit it's "Big House" nickname. Something along these lines would be appropriate...

Please and thank you.