Last year the Giants/Jets got their new stadium, the year before the Dallas Cowboys opened their crown jewel in Arlington. Now the Minnesota Vikings are looking to get a new stadium funded, with the metrodome roof collapsing last year surely serving as the canary in the mineshaft showing the arena's age.
The average age between stadiums in these three cases was 26 years, so it would seem very premature for the Carolina Panthers to be looking at a new stadium, with Bank of America stadium being just 15 years old, but the rumblings for a new arena have been in the works for a while now. Just last August team president Danny Morrison discussed the issue in terms of BoA being at its 'half-life':
"You would have to think we're in the middle of a normal NFL stadium cycle ... The two options you would have somewhere down the line, in 10 or 15 years, would be a major renovation or something new."
I for one am glad the organization are showing foresight on this issue and looking way into the future. At least it should reassure fans about the team's commitment to the area if they're looking down the line.
More after the jump
What I'm interested in asking fans today is what would you like to see at BoA that isn't currently in place? Either in a situation where the stadium underwent major renovations, or a complete rebuild what do you think the stadium is lacking?
Personally, I think BoA is an amazing stadium... there really isn't a bad seat in the arena and it's a comfortable place to watch a game. However, it is a little 'plain Jane' both in terms of it's architectural design as well as amenities. I would like to see a more creative and inventive way to intertwine the stadium with the cultural tenets of the Carolinas.
What would you like to see in a new or updated stadium for the Panthers?