John Shinn
• New contract secures rivalry through 2015
The City of Dallas, State Fair of Texas, University of Oklahoma and University of Texas made everything official Friday. The Red River rivalry will remain at the Cotton Bowl through at least 2015.
An agreement is in place to keep the game at the same stadium it has occupied since 1929.
OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said he is pleased the special atmosphere surrounding the OU-Texas game will remain in place.
“Because of its prominent history and unique atmosphere, the setting of the Red River rivalry truly represents one of the most special games in all of college football,” Castiglione said. “We are grateful for the relationship we share with the State Fair and City of Dallas. They have identified a number of ways to upgrade and expand the Cotton Bowl Stadium and enhance the atmosphere of a venerable old stadium.”
There have been $20 million in renovations done to the 77-year-old facility in the last few years. Dallas voters approved another $30 million in improvements in November.
The latest renovation is expected to increase seating capacity to 90,000.
Tickets for the game cost $100 last season. An additional 14,000 seats could bring in an additional $1.4 million in ticket sales to each school.
That was enough to satisfy officials from OU and Texas.
“We have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the State Fair of Texas and the Cotton Bowl stadium,” Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds said, “and we look forward to continuing our tradition in Dallas.”
The game’s future was murky in recent months. The previous contract expires after the 2010 game and Cotton Bowl officials have already announced they’re moving the New Year’s Day Bowl game to Arlington, Texas, in 2010.
But the OU-Texas game won’t be heading to the Dallas Cowboys’ new stadium or anywhere else for at least the next nine seasons.
