1-on-1 with DP – 93.7 The Ticket KNTK - What would you add to Memorial Stadium? - April 17, 2026 - 11:00am

Episode Date: April 17, 2026

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Kansas City Royals baseball all summer long on the air in Lincoln at 93-7 the ticket. It's time to go one-on-one with D.P. Coming at you live from the heart of Lincoln America, a 93-7 the ticket and the ticket FM.com, sponsored by the Downtown Lincoln Foundation. Here is your host, Derek Pearson. Gather around, kids. Uncle D.P. on a Friday. 1103

10 hours work going to take you all over the sports world going to agitate some folks that's okay I'm good at that 4246, 465 start to hate me text line

you want to be a part of what we're doing and you do hit us with a what's up Bob do you think they follow instructions from time to time hit us with the what's up first and then add your comment Terry to be included into the show.

Bach, kind sir, how the heck are you? I'm doing great today as we included in the title line, one of my favorite weekends of the year. The Andre the Giant Battle Royale is tonight, and that is the match I look forward to most on WrestleMania weekend, even though it falls right outside of WrestleMania. They do understand that it is WrestleMania weekend.

Now, a couple of things. It's Friday. Set the tone and pace. It requires the Friday WrestleMania, boom. Goose bumps. Goose bumps.

Bach, do you feel it? I feel it. Can you feel it? Three days. Three days of WrestleMania. What have we done to deserve you? Buck, they love us that much to give us three days?

Well, don't get to confused. They also want, I think the return on investment, must be working for them as well. So I think they're making some money on this. Phenomeno. Phenomenal. And we're going to go all over it. Now listen, over the course of the hour,

we will talk about NBA TV ratings. We'll talk about, WrestleMania, we'll talk about the stadium. And I have some questions for you, Husker Forever's. You Husker legacies, you Husker legends. I have questions. Oh, I have questions, people. I have questions.

money ain't out of my business, but my goodness, I have questions. I need to know what the thinking was, Bach, I have questions. So I will then share those questions and then ask those questions of our super intelligent, extremely thoughtful and considerate radio family. Right? So we'll start with this. But, kind sir, first of all, how the heck are you really doing? I'm doing really well again. It's Friday. It should be exciting one way or the other.

So much exciting going on between baseball and softball and gymnastics and WrestleMania and like you said, now the stadium talk. It's a good day for sports talk. What are they talk? What stadium? Bach fill me in. Why would we be talking about the state? The big red rebuild is what they're calling it. I never come. come up with these names. I don't know if I'd necessarily go with that. But the big red rebuild is what they're calling it. Plans for Memorial Stadium renovation have come out. And we'll go before the regions next week. Expect the cost around $600 million. Seating capacity will stay where it's at or

actually be at around 80,000. I think it's so close to where it's out now. 20,000 more seatbacks. How about that? And they're going to move the student section. And then the biggest one for me, another big screen. You know, big screens on both sides, north and South Stadium. Where are they putting the students? Do we know? I don't think we know that yet, but they announced that they're going to move. Is it a secret? I'm sure we'll learn if we don't. Let me dive in and see if I can find.

I just heard they're moving them. I'm just letting y'all know, you can call me Bernays today. I'm feeling saucy. I'm feeling saucy. For a variety of reasons. For a right, where are you putting now? First of all, text line, question one of the hour. Where would you put the student section?

So you list, you Joe listener, Josephine listener, if you were in charge, where would you put the student section at Memorial Stadium? And the answer may be different than at Haymarket Park. it may be different than at PBA or Devaney, but where would you, so Bach, you, sir, as a former student in a perfect world, Bach, you are now the commissioner leading this, this redesign and rebranding. Where would you put the student section? As a former student. I think, I mean, I like the, some of the students get a sit in the front, right?

And then as of right now, it kind of goes back. you know, I'd try to get more of them kind of behind the bench. I think maybe usually is a pretty good one, pretty good spot for him. Right. Like I would, I would say that. So here's rubber duck, I owe you, I now owe you. Oh, I do. I do owe you now.

No, that's one I'd rate. When I'd rate, I owe you a ticket t-shirt. Because, and here's what he did. Bach read his text. One-eyed, Ray? Yes. Says, what's up, D.P? You put the students directly behind the enemy.

See, listen to me. This is epic high level. This is why One-Aid Ray is in the top tier of the Husker, of the ticket radio family. Coachable. Effective. Executed the game plan, Bach. He delivered.

And it came with a strong take. Epic! What I'd Ray! Have a fantastic Friday. Put in the text, what size shirt you need? Or a hat. We can do whatever you want to do. If you already have a shirt, we'll give you a hat.

It's exceptional. It's exceptional. Buck, we don't ask for much here, do we? Not often. We don't ask for much. But once again, repeat the instructions. Well, you said to say what's up and then give your opinion so it can be right on the show. Yeah.

It's, bro. this is this is the coach's life right because you get i give you a game plan right and then i give you an example and then i put you in the game and then you shoot a three i was like no i said drive left go go get a layup you you should you shot three and then i have to pull you out and time out and go but what did i ask you to do and you'll say shoot the three it was open coach it was open just you just i love our listeners man i love them buck here's another question for you kind sir what is your take your feeling on a domed or retractable stadium here in lincoln what are your thoughts on creating an environment that is climate controlled

for the University of Nebraska, Lincoln football building. Kind sir, what is your thought? That would be very interesting. Obviously, I think especially with the kind of the entertainment aspect that they're going for with this, which, you know, as we know, they've got concerts lined up. They've got Savannah bananas coming in. They're kind of leaning more into that. I think that could work pretty well for that.

We just had, you know, on the previous show on the drive, Jalen Reyes from Nebraska Volleyball was talking about how, important it was that weather actually worked along with them for in the volleyball day in Nebraska and let's just cross our, I mean, with with the weather in Nebraska, you kind of just have to cross your fingers for these events when they happen without a dome. Right. To understand what we're talking about that in a building that is built, so you have to, we have to set the table. Is the stadium built for football practice? Is it built for

football usage? Is it built for revenue stream? Is it built for other events? Is it built for what is it? Is it built for the fan? Right? Because the fans paying for it. Ultimately, they will say they aren't, but you are. Bach, as a fan, would you rather sit in a stadium where it's 90 degrees? Right? Which is the first two or three games? 25 degrees, which is the last two games of the year.

Or 70 degrees, climate control, you know what the weather is going to be. As a fan, I'd probably rather sit indoors. So text like, tell me if I'm, what is your preference for the stadium? And then, and again, we're just talking. We're just friends talking, like in a perfect world, right? Like, if we could design it and do that. But there have been, I was a part of a think tank group in D.C. As they made the conversation about their new football stadium.

Location being a part of it, right? So they wanted to be in the middle of it. So location is not the issue here in Lincoln. They talked about the fan experience because ultimately, you, the owners of the space can say that it is about the fan. but then they have to show that it's about the fans, right? In D.C., they're 10 home games, right? Two preseason, regular season, and then, you know, maybe post-season.

But the stadium quality is set by the ability to host the Super Bowl. That's the North Star Apex presentation of a stadium. The size of the stadium, access to the stadium, right, the ability to get in and get out, the number of people that it can hold, the number of people it can hold around the games themselves, those 10 games, right? The commanders don't practice in that stadium, so that's not a part of it. So then usage of that stadium in other ways is kind of the thing. So if you're building this thing, that being able to use this new building,

this new facility for greater revenue opportunities, also requires that, hey, Bach, if you made a retractable stadium here in Lincoln, you can hold more concerts without worrying about weather, right? Mm-hmm. Right? So now you're getting more use out of the building. Here's what also happens in buildings that are climate control,

sports buildings that are climate control. concessions and revenue in the building goes up exponential. People stay longer and spend more money in a climate-controlled building. Does that make sense? Right? That you're comfortable, right? You're comfortable. You have access.

You don't have bundled like the kid from Christmas story, right? Where you don't have access. You don't have free hands. You're sipping coffee to be cold. Right. But amazing what that would be. And then how many more events, right? Could you hold at Memorial Stadium if you didn't have to worry about weather? Here's another thing.

Bach, with a climate-controlled football stadium, you can hold the Savannah Bananas and it becomes comfortable. Right? You can host more concerts. You can schedule more concerts. When they talk about that revenue stream, those are additional events. And people tend to want those things. But if you could add one thing to the stadium, what would you add? If you could add or change one more thing.

That's interesting because I like the stadium kind of the way that it is. Now, I am looking forward to what they do moving forward with it. Man, that's a good question. I don't, I don't, maybe I don't want for much. Text line, if there was a thing you could ask for, and a lot of the text line were a part of the surveys, of people that were asked questions about the stadium renovation project and what they wanted from it.

So, yeah, and this is one of those, we talk about things in thirds, right, constantly on this show. So the texture says, 9-9-87 says, no troughs in the bathroom. Again, it would rule in thirds. A third of people would say, no troughs. A third will say absolutely no troughs. So there's a third that wants them and a third, you know, because of the legend of it and all that. That's quite easy, yeah.

Right? Right there. And then the third of the middle would just go, okay, sell me. Tell me the advantage, right? Tell me the advantage. More people in, more people out. But if you make it 360 accessible around the main level, there's more traffic to get to other bathrooms and more concessions. and to see more people, right?

Because you don't, it doesn't become like this chaotic thing to go and meet a friend and a football game, right? It doesn't have to be there. 28-2086 says more live music. And I think a big part of that is so much of the weather here is, who knows what kind of weather we're going to have, right? Remember, it was 86, two days ago, dropped down a mess. Imagine that you're putting these events on and you have access to it,

where you know it's going to be 70 degrees. You don't have to worry about it. Also, the climate control, hey, Bach, it's easier to maintain the surface. It's easier to maintain it. Joe B says better ways to exit the South Stadium. The bathrooms is always the thing, right? He said better bathrooms. Joe B, tell me what better bathrooms would be.

Like, are you trough, not trough, more bathrooms? Tell me what you think. Thompson Lincoln says, what's up? How are you, brother? I say uncomfortably make it like the Cowgirl Stadium and have a giant set of TVs in the middle of it. I think the concourse will address some of that. Those big screens will be accessible.

I would ask Bach this question during the break. Do you add two new screens? Because you can't have one old screen, older screen, and then a new screen. Because then everybody's going to look at the new screen, right? Because it'll look clear. It'll have some characteristic that says it's the newer of the two, and it's a real thing. Right? The screens, the monitors that they have at the different corners have to be addressed, right?

And I'm sure they will be in this program. But it's like when we came here, we wouldn't put old TVs in the space. You don't add, put old TVs to new technology. You put new, smarter TVs to smarter technology. So the stadium will have to deal with that. BBQA analyst says this. I always want to be sitting outside to feel the element to be part of the crowd.

I'll always take cold over, uh, overheat because nobody wants to see me strip down when it's 95. But the other side of that is that if it's 70, everybody's happy. like, Bach, is that the line, right? Is that, is 70 degrees the temperature where the largest number of us are comfortable and happy? Yeah, yeah, 75 somewhere in there.

Right. So if you know what that is, then it changes. You don't have to come to the game in a parka. You don't have to have mittens on. You don't have to have face cover. You don't have to sit there and sweat. You don't have to then be sweaty and then rub shoulders with more sweaty people. Right.

If it's over 70, 75, people are uncomfortable and they're not as happy. People are happier when the weather's good, when the climate is controlled. You know, now people would be happier if they're winning. There's that part, right, that you have to figure that out. Texas says this 6696 says, I thought they upgraded the North Green last year. At one point, I'm not seeing they had all the screen off the frame. Yeah, and I think that if you're, if you're renovating, everything gets, gets touched or considered. You can't just go, okay, I'm going to, it's like rebuilding your house,

but you've got the same furniture from, from 1974. Nah, not really going to do that. Texas says they want the fans in the end zone. Buck would say he's a former student. Yeah, I mean, I like that idea as far as, like, if you imagine, you know, the opposing teams kicking a game-winning field goal and everybody's going crazy behind him. But that's not exactly ideal view for students. But what if you're driving the other way?

That means that Matt Rule has to choose so that the Huskers offense is going into that fan base in those court. So fourth quarter, you have to choose that, okay, we want to, one, we'll be driving into that end zone. to if we pin the opponent down that that end zone will make it difficult for them to get an advantage. But what about the rest of the game? What impact are you neutralizing? Because sometimes the game is played

in the other half of the field. And you're neutralizing. Or the wind could be counteracting what you're trying to do there. Right. So what's the value? We used to have these conversations, we had these conversations in Texas

when they built in the stadium. And that was a big part of it, was where do you want the students? And everybody, you know, you had people that, you know, they want them at the ends, they want them midfield, they want them behind the opponent's bench. And they tend to think that where you want them is behind the, the universal agreement amongst administration is that you want them behind the opponent's

bench. Think Cameron Indoor. You want, you want that to have to deal with that. Unless you're trying to sell those tickets up front. No, because those are seats that you're generally, holding for the opponent's family and coaches? Well, there's usually a small amount.

That's what I'm saying is I would be worried about their concern would be, obviously, what does everybody want? They want 50-yard-line tickets, right? You want the best view that you can see the whole field. Right. But if you do that and you give that to the students, then you can't sell that at a higher price to your, you know, everybody else that's going in.

Well, that's why I ask is, to me, if I'm going as a fan, I want to be in the middle of action. I want to impact the game. I want to be as much part of the game as I could be, and I want to have as much impact on the game as I can have. And if you put me at the furthest into the stadium, Bach, I'm not really impacting the game. Now am I?

No. And if you're looking at it, again, there's, I don't think there's a bad seat in Memorial Stadium, right? I mean, I think it's all good, but it's not ideal. Like you said, they could be at the opposite end of all the action, more often than not,

the goal is for one team is going to be on the other side of the stadium. You're completely out of it. Of all things, right? And people say the reason why you don't have a roof stadium is climate control and advantage, but you're only having advantage in the ways that you can have the advantage.

So the 2 90 degree games, and you put the opponent in the sun, again, they flip sides so that the Huskers are not in the sun. during those games, that's an advantage, right? And it affects them, right? Because that's a lot of degrees to deal with early in the season. You're cramping up and those sort of things.

But then you get the two games at the end of the year. But quite frankly, those end of the game teams opponents are also weather familiar. If your last game of the season is always Iowa, Iowa is a use to the weather as you are. There's no advantage. If it's Wisconsin, Wisconsin's not unfamiliar with playing in cold weather. There's no advantage. Well, Nebraska specifically has gone away from any advantage you would get philosophically with playing Midwestern football for the last team.

And it doesn't help. Right. And it doesn't help. And it ultimately, hey, Bob, if I gave you millions and said, okay, the millions exist. First of all, you're showing that the millions exist, right? Mm-hmm. what would be the best thing you could invest in,

ready for this? What's the best thing you could invest in to ensure the most positive fan experience at Memorial Stadium? What is the one thing that you know you could invest in? Like, because you've now said, we have $600 million. We have access to it. Then you said what would be for every Husker fan

who walks in that gate for those seven home games, what is the one thing you can invest in and spend that money on that is more likely to make everybody happy and lead to a happy experience at Memorial Stadium? Bach would say you. I would ask Texas Tech. It appears to me,

roster in winning, you know, would help. That's where I've seen a lot of the comments, reaction to this is just kind of like, Text sign tells you better players. We still can't afford a running bag, huh? I bought. Boss, testify. But, sir.

That would be what I would be thinking. Oh, brother, brother. If you tell me, we have an additional 600 million and we can raise 600 million some kind of way for the next 30 years. for the next 30 years, you're going to have better players in this football program, the most meaningful program in all of the state. Right? Right? Yeah.

The football program is the most important one, right? Oh, yeah. Now, it does say in their release, by the way, annual revenue from the new stadium is expected to reach 95 million, an increase of over 40% above current levels and positions Nebraska to compete in lead at the highest level in a rapidly evolving college athletic landscape. All that stuff there, it doesn't matter. as much as the numbers, which 40% increase above current levels of revenue from the stadium.

That would tell you that maybe you can get a return on investment that could bleed into maybe the roster. But what if you just put a retractable roof, which allowed you more dates to use the building and make more millions? Could be an option too. Might cost more up front. I'm just asking, Buck. I look a brother up with some info. All right. We're going to take our first break.

Hey, Bach, it's Russellvania Weekend. And you know what's really weird? The person that's on my mind is not a feature. So I'm going to ask you, I have become a member of the Danhausen club. Nice. I am a Danhausen fan house. Very nice. I'm a fan housing.

Who do you want him in all of sports? In all of sports, Bach, who do you want him to put a curse on? text line. The rule will explain it. If you don't know who Dan Housen is, we will explain it. Textors who know who Dan has it is of anybody in sports. Who would you want him to put a curse on? We'll get the answers when we come back.