Texas Southern University wants to join forces with MLS champ Houston Dynamo to build a $105 million 22,000 capacity stadium just east of the city’s downtown area, TSU athletic director Charles McClelland told the Houston Chronicle. The facility would be the joint-home of both the TSU Tigers and the Dynamo. McClelland alerted the city of its intent earlier this week. “My understanding of the proposal is that the Houston Dynamo and Texas Southern University would share the use of the stadium, including some signage, so it would be the home of Texas Southern University athletics and football program,” McClelland said, adding, “We’re very pleased with the direction of the talks and hope to be able to come to a resolution in the near future.”
Bernardo Fallas of the Chronicle thinks the Dynamo should jump at the chance to partner with TSU. For one thing, the team is in the third year of a three-year lease to use the University of Houston’s Robertson Stadium and has yet to secure a stadium deal. For another, MLS Commissioner Don Garber recently gave what sounded like an ultimatum to the Dynamo to sort the stadium mess out soon or the club could be moved again. Moreover, Fallas points out that with oil high, the stadium’s cost goes up every day. Already, he says the project’s estimated price tag has shot up from $80 million last year to $105 million today.