Kansas State’s administration is providing a dream-come-true opportunity for the members of the 2009 and 2010 Wildcat football teams. That’s playing in a National Football League stadium.
Through an invitation from the Kansas City Chiefs, plus initiation of the idea from Iowa State, the home-and-home Wildcat vs. Cyclone series is headed for the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium.
"The Kansas City Chiefs organization initiated discussions with both institutions this summer and offered financial incentives that were very compelling," said KSU athletics director Bob Krause. "Both programs are excited about this opportunity and with across-the-board costs ever-increasing, we felt this move was a great opportunity for both institutions to be creative and find additional sources of revenue."
K-State will reportedly receive a minimum of $1.8 million for the two games scheduled for Oct. 3, 2009 (ISU’s scheduled home game), and Oct. 10, 2010 (KSU’s scheduled home game).
The Wildcats will still play seven games at home in 2009 and six in 2010.
"Showcasing our brand on a big-time stage and in an NFL stadium is a tremendous asset to our program," head coach Ron Prince said via a prepared release. "The Kansas City area is a major market for our organization and institution and we couldn't be more pleased to face our North division opponent at Arrowhead Stadium."
K-State has played four previous games in Arrowhead with three of those being victories. The biggest came in the 2003 Big 12 title game when the Wildcats handled Oklahoma, 35-7.
The loss was to Oklahoma in the 2000 Big 12 championship game.
KSU and ISU will be following a trend in college football to play a game a season at a neutral site.
Examples in the Big 12 include: Colorado State and Colorado in Denver; Missouri and Illinois in St. Louis; Texas A&M and Arkansas in Dallas; Kansas and Missouri in Kansas City; and, the annual Oklahoma vs. Texas game in Dallas