We Can Cotton to This: But only if city gets long-term Texas-OU deal

Dallas Morning News | Editorials:

"If the universities of Texas and Oklahoma will sign long-term to keep their game at the city-owned Cotton Bowl, the city will sink $50 million into new and improved seating, concession stands and concourses, a fancy new scoreboard and sound system and, yes, new restrooms."

Ed Cognoski responds:

The bad news: this plan is doomed. Texas-OU are not likely to commit to the 12 years Laura Miller hopes for and the DMN demands as a minimum, not in return for a little sprucing up of an obsolete stadium. And the BCS isn't going to commit to play a major bowl game in January in a still-old, uncovered stadium in Dallas. I'm not sure the Big 12 Conference would commit their championship game, either.

The good news: this plan is doomed. Paying $50 million for one big-time football game a year doesn't make economic sense. Instead, this announcement sounds like politicians seeking cover for the inevitable loss of the Texas-OU football game. There's not much likelihood of success, but at least they can argue they tried. And save $50 million in the bargain.