Texans’ focus on NRG Stadium renovations

Image: Reliant Stadium, eschipul, CC BY-SA 2.0

The new President of the NFL’s Houston Texans is focused on renovating NRG Stadium and not building a new venue, according to his recent comments.

Houston Business Journal said Mike Tomon believes constructing a new home for the Texans is not a focus for the team. Instead, it is putting all its efforts into a solution for a renovation.

The Texans hired Tomon in January to lead the organisation’s efforts collaborating on the master plan for the future of NRG Park and to negotiate the team’s lease for the stadium, which does not expire for another seven years.

However, a recent assessment found the stadium to be in “average or below average condition” compared to similar venues, citing a long list of deferred upgrades.

The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston. The Texans compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference South Division. The team plays its home games at the NRG Stadium.

NRG Stadium (previously known as Reliant Stadium) is a multipurpose stadium in Houston, Texas, United States. Construction was completed in 2002 at a cost of $352 million and it has a seating capacity of 72,220. It was the first NFL facility to have a retractable roof.

Tomon’s comments contrast from a previous report that claimed the team is “considering using public funds for a new stadium.”

Tomon said, “We have genuinely just been focused on the renovation, what studies are underway, what the project could look like and making sure we are in step with our partners.”

Tomon has previous experience working on NFL stadium projects, including with SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and Highmark Stadium in Buffalo.

Notably, each of those projects were to construct new venues. Instead of focusing on funding sources, Tomon indicated that his “priority is determining the end product: what a renovation of NRG Stadium would look like.”

Tomon will now spearhead a project that is focused on a renovation of NRG Stadium rather than a demolition. He didn’t give any further details of potential upgrades.

The Chronicle further stated that one fact Houston fans can take solace in amid the uncertainty is that football fans in the city were heartbroken in the 1990s when the Oilers left town for Tennessee.

Tomon insists there won’t be any tragic déjà vu in the coming years. He said, “While we are open to all options, one of them emphatically is not leaving Greater Houston.”

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