In Birmingham, Peter Rauterkus noted Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium renovation project will “add a multi-purpose event center to the north endzone” of the stadium, with a vote on final approval by the school’s Board of Trustees set for April 17. It is the “second major project” to that side of the stadium in recent years after Auburn added a second video board to the north endzone in 2025. The new project will “construct a seven-story, approximately 300,000 square-foot addition to the existing stadium.” The multi-purpose building is designed for “both gameday and campus.” The estimated cost of the project is $305M and will be “financed by bond and gift funds” (AL.com, 4/8).
STEERING THE SHIP: In San Jose, Jon Wilner wrote Washington State AD Jon Haarlow, who was recently promoted to the full-time role after serving in the interim, “made the most of his trial run.” He oversaw the hiring of football coach Kirby Moore and “pushed several projects across the finish line,” including a $3.4M renovation of the football locker room and a $10M endeavor to “improve the fan experience.” He also has “synergy” with WSU President Elizabeth Cantwell, the “hard-driving, football-supporting, NIL-seeking boss.” Wilner: “There was risk associated with the Haarlow promotion. He’s a first-time athletic director who hasn’t spent a career in fundraising. But that risk is mitigated significantly by his work as the interim AD and the support from above and below” (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 4/8).
NEW ADDITION: In Salt Lake City, Jason Batacao cited sources as saying that the Univ. of Utah is expected to name Matt Webb, the former VP/Corporate Sponsorships for both the Saints and Pelicans, as the CEO of Utah Brand Initiatives. UBI is a new company that is being formed from the partnership being finalized between the N.Y.-based private-equity firm Otro Capital and the university’s foundation, which will “help run” Utah athletics. Webb has most recently served as a consultant for the university foundation (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 4/8).
