The 15 Most Expensive College Sports Facilities

cincinnati-bearcats

We all know that college sports are big moneymakers for their universities. And that means more than just selling a lot of tickets and merch. In order to get large television contracts, build a prestigious program and, hopefully, land a lot of blue chip prospects, a school as to make sure they have the facilities that can compete with other schools. That’s why I’m giving you the most expensive state-of-the-art training facilities that some of school’s around the country are able to flaunt while recruiting a player—and these things don’t come cheap.

Photo via YouTube

Florida-State-Seminoles

15. Florida State Seminoles – $25 million (Coyle E. Moore Athletic Center)

The 2013 national champion Florida State Seminoles not only won on the field thanks to star recruits and Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, but they also starred with a facility that was about as incredible as their entire roster of blue-chip players. After a renovations in 2003, the Coyle E. Moore Athletic Center is five times larger than the previous training rooms with state-of-the-art equipment to help improve performance.

Photo via YouTube

Michigan-Wolverines

14. Michigan Wolverines – $26.1 million (Al Glick Field House)

One of the premier programs in college football history, the University of Michigan’s Al Glick Field House has an 85-foot glass ceiling that allows natural light to shine down on the players practicing on the field. With recognition to the past and a reminder of what the future holds, the Wolverines coaching staff and players are in a five-star building, that’s for sure.

Photo via YouTube

Pittsburgh-Panthers

t12. Pittsburgh Panthers – $30 million (UPMC Sports Performance Center)

With a name like the UPMC Sports Performance Center, no Pitt Panthers’ student-athlete should fear about not getting proper rehab and training equipment, as the center boasts a 100,000-square-foot rehab center and round-the-clock physicians to help them get better. It’s about as medically advanced as the top hospital in the country, with other features that makes it a dream for players looking for certain amenities with their college experience.

Photo via YouTube

Kentucky-Wildcats

t12. Kentucky Wildcats – $30 million (Joe Craft Basketball Center)

As an alum of the University of Kentucky who was in school when the Joe Craft Center opened in 2007, I can tell you firsthand that this place is drop-dead gorgeous. With separate practice courts for men’s and women’s basketball and a connecting hallway to old Memorial Coliseum which hosts a number of other Kentucky Wildcats sports, the Athletics Department offices are just upstairs from the courts, meaning that, at anytime, anyone walking through might see an A-list celeb or a potential five-star recruit with a former player. You better believe that the locker rooms and video equipment are top-notch, too.

Photo via YouTube

kansas-jayhawks-football

11. Kansas Jayhawks – $33 million (Anderson Family Football Complex)

Built in 2008, the University of Kansas’ Anderson Family Football Complex spans two different levels, with an underground training and weight room, while the upper level is occupied by school administrators. It might be a bit surprising that it was built for football, but it’s not surprising that it cost $33 million to give those on the Jayhawks football team such a trendy spot to hangout and practice.

Photo via YouTube

Arkansas-Razorbacks

10. Arkansas Razorbacks – $40 million (Fred W. Smith Football Center)

Just a couple years old, the Fred W. Smith Football Center at the University of Arkansas is an absolute haven for Razorbacks football fans, honoring both the past and present. With an incredible locker room feature that allows players to access gear from an electronic security pad, this place didn’t sell itself short on anything.

Photo via YouTube

Tennessee-Volunteers

9. Tennessee Volunteers – $45 million (Anderson Training Center)

In addition to a 22,000-square-foot weight room, players at the University of Tennessee have no excuse for not being the strongest they can be, with state-of-the-art equipment for each player to use. With perks like a locker room full of HD televisions and a superb dining hall, there might be no reason to ever leave this $45 million dream facility.

Photo via YouTube

UCLA-Bruins

8. UCLA Bruins – $50 million (Football Performance Center)

Breaking ground in 2014, the UCLA Bruins’ Wasserman Football Center will be home to all things football for the school, it’s players and coaches. With a price tag of $50 million, the building will be all about the gridiron, and will include a lounge for potential recruits and new offices for coaches to get word done at. With a great incoming class in 2015, this thing should pay even more dividends in bringing in top talent in the coming years.

Photo via YouTube

Ithaca-Bombers

7. Ithaca Bombers – $65.5 million (Athletics and Events Center)

It’s probably a bit surprising to see the Ithaca Bombers on here—especially since the other schools are all so high-profile—but the Bombers prove that they want to compete with the big boys, too. Opening in 2011, the 130,000-square-foot complex boasts an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a multipart field that lights up to be used at anytime of the night. Available to each student on campus, this is certainly a perk to enroll at Ithaca.

Photo via YouTube

Ohio-State-Buckeyes

6. Ohio State Buckeyes – $66.5 million (Woody Hayes Athletic Center)

This year’s national champion Ohio State Buckeyes understand that to stay on top, they need to spend money to keep the program flashy. That’s why they renovated the Woody Hayes Athletic Center a couple of years ago, dropping $45 million to enhance it. New FieldTurf and techy amenities for players to use while at their lockers and just a few new additions for Buckeye players to feel comfortable.

Photo via YouTube

Iowa-Hawkeyes

t4. Iowa Hawkeyes – $69 million (Campus Recreation and Wellness Center)

There are rec centers on campuses all around the country, but the one that sits on the University of Iowa is just about the best anyone will find. With three levels of fitness space, a 52-foot climbing wall and an Olympic-sized swimming pool, there is something for every student who wants to sweat out all the booze and junk food they ate the night prior.

Photo via YouTube

Oregon-Ducks

t4. Oregon Ducks – $69 million (Hatfield-Dowlin Complex)

It’s really nice to have alum who love their school, isn’t it? Thanks to famous Oregon alum and Nike founder Phil Knight, the Oregon Ducks football program as a new facility that is about as crazy nice as anything out there. With a price of $69 million, the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex has 145,000-square-feet of space for players and coaches to do their thing. Other than just the standard weight rooms and such that other teams have, the Ducks have a barber shop, sauna and 170-seat movie theater. Why anyone would want to leave is besides me.

Photo via YouTube

USC-Trojans

3. USC Trojans – $70 million (John McKay Center)

While it is, technically, a shared-sport facility, the USC Trojans mainly use the John McKay Center for it’s renowned football program, which dedicates 110,000-square-feet to athletes on campus. Containing a digital media center and two-story video board for recruits to watch TV and study film on, the complex covers all the bases in want and needs.

Photo via YouTube

cincinnati-bearcats

2. Cincinnati Bearcats – $105 million (Richard E. Lindner Varsity Village)

Housing all of the Cincinnati Bearcats athletic complexes like football, basketball and baseball, the varsity village on campus is the go-to spot for all things sports. The main attraction is the Linder Vetner, which contains locker rooms, offices, pools and meeting spaces for all of Cincy’s sports teams. With a cost of $105 million, this is about as perfect as a complex can be.

Photo via YouTube

colorado-buffaloes-football

1. Colorado Buffaloes – $143 million (proposed)

Announcing last year that they would undergo a $143 million upgrade on their athletic facilities, the Colorado Buffaloes will be adding a massive addition for their sports teams. With 120,000-square-feet of space, the renovation will include new football fields and a track, a refurbished aquatics center and a football locker room that is nearly three times the size of the current one the Buffs have. Talk about an improvement.

Photo via YouTube

Written by Nick Dimengo

Graduate of the University of Kentucky. Cleveland sports fan. Frustrated respecter of LeBron James. Influencer of bad ideas. In addition to Worthly/Housely, I'm a regular contributor to Bleacher Report, Scout, Esquire and Maxim, and run or bike way too much for my own good when not writing. The day a Cleveland sports team wins a title is the day I can officially say my life is complete.