Autzen Stadium will be expanded if Oregon stays in the Big 10

Question

According to athletic Director Rob Mullen's there is a potential for stadium expansion as the Ducks entering the Big 10 will not only draw out Ducks fans, but opposing team fans as well, as stated in the article "Oregon vs. Ohio State Ticket Sales? Autzen Stadium Expansion? Oregon Athletic Director Addresses" when Mullens states "' I dont know what we'll go into it with expansion as a goal necessarily...We will go into it with, in the modern expansion experience"

Answer 1

The main claim of this article is that Autzen Stadium will be expanded in the future. It claims that Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens has stated, “I don't know that we'll go into it with expansion as a goal necessarily…We will go into it with, in the modern expansion experience, what other premium options do we need to offer? What other amenities do we need to put into Autzen Stadium to make sure that we are meeting the expectations of the fans?” 

When I search this quote online, it appears on reliable sources again, such as Sports Illustrated. So, one can assume Mullens did in fact say this statement.

The Eugene Science Center website says that UO does plan to construct a new indoor practice field next to the stadium. https://eugenesciencecenter.org/uo-football-expansion/

However, there is no evidence of UO actually expanding the stadium itself. 

So, the only concrete evidence of an expansion lies in Mullen’s quote. He said himself that expansion isn’t necessarily a goal. Overall, the claim that “Autzen Stadium will be expanded if Oregon stays in the Big 10” is misleading and likely misinformation.

Comments

Excellent fact check! You identified a claim, researched first-hand sources, and concluded clearly. While it would be inaccurate to say that the University of Oregon will expand Autzen stadium if it stays in the Big 10, there still might be potential for expansion. Autzen stadium's construction was completed in 1967, making it 57 years old. Expansion could be a possibility. But we just can't say for sure.
Source: https://sportshistory.uoregon.edu/topics/the-universitys-approach-to-changes-in-athletics/additions-and-improvements-to-facilities/autzen-stadium/

Answer 2

This article mainly talks about a rise in ticket sales. They even say at the end that  “I don't know that we'll go into it with expansion as a goal necessarily…We will go into it with, in the modern expansion experience, what other premium options do we need to offer? What other amenities do we need to put into Autzen Stadium to make sure that we are meeting the expectations of the fans?” I think the claim/title is misleading.

Comments

Great job identifying the claim. I also think the article is credible however it doesn't back the claim. It doesn't provide a definitive answer therefore the claim cant accurately be made.

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Great fact check. I really liked how you found the full quote and gave us more context on it. With the added context I agree that this claim is most likely misleading.

Answer 3

This claim is horribly misleading and there is no evidence in the attached article that it is true. The only time that expansion of the stadium comes up in the article attached is when Mullen states “I don't know that we'll go into it with expansion as a goal necessarily…We will go into it with, in the modern expansion experience, what other premium options do we need to offer? What other amenities do we need to put into Autzen Stadium to make sure that we are meeting the expectations of the fans?” This claim does not suggest that they are expanding Autzen Stadium, nor does it shut that claim down completely, but rather suggests that they are focusing on amenities and client needs. 

Comments

I agree with this explanation although it would be nice to find any other recent reports about this topic, I think the point is pretty clear that Autzen Stadium will not be expanding anytime soon.

Answer 4

This claim states that Autzen Stadium will expand if Oregon stays in the BIG 10. According to Oregon Live, "UO is in the planning stages for renovating and expanding the north side of Autzen Stadium, a source with knowledge of the matter told The Oregonian." However, I could find nothing officially stating that UO must stay in the BIG 10 for them to get the stadium expanded. According to athletic Director Rob Mullen, "there is a potential for stadium expansion," with him adding, "I don't know what we'll go into it with expansion as a goal necessarily...We will go into it with, in the modern expansion experience". So I would say, yes, they do have plans to expand, but they are not necessarily going to not expand if Oregon is no longer in the BIG 10.

Answer 5

Based on my own prior exposure to Big Ten news of expansion and talk of change and development, I, as a reader, automatically want to believe this claim. Director Rob Mullen is mentioned as the main source of the potential expansion of Autzen Stadium. The article is not from a widely known source, although they write mostly college sports-focused stories. The Ohio State at Oregon game was the “second highest-priced college football ticket in the secondary market for 2024”. As the claim quotes Mullen explains that they won’t necessarily go into it with expansion as a goal, but go into it with modern expansion experience. Focus will be placed on ensuring Autzen Stadium meets the fans' expectations. Asking questions like “What other premium options do we need to offer? What other amenities do we need”. In conclusion, Autzen will change and expand on the experience of the fans, but the main claim is exaggerated and misleading.

Answer 6

I find this claim to be misleading. The article does mention the university's plans to expand the stadium. But it seems like that has been the plan with or without the big ten. In the article, they compare other Big Ten stadium's size compacity to UO's. But the focus Mullens mentioned in the interview was that they want to add premium amenities that the fans think are best. The focus of the expansion isn't really because they are in the Big 10. It also sounds like they would still proceed with the expansions on the north side for the season ticket holders. In conclusion, this fact would need to be reworded to provide more clarity as to why the university has plans to expand its stadium.