Temple University football has extended its lease to Lincoln Financial Field, securing an agreement with the Philadelphia Eagles that will run at least five seasons.
Lincoln Financial Field has been home to Temple’s football program since 2003, the first year of an initial 15-year lease that ran through the 2017 season. The agreement also included two one-year options that were ultimately exercised by Temple, covering the football program’s use of the venue through the 2019 campaign.
The program will continue to call Lincoln Financial Field home for the next several years, as Temple agrees to a five-year lease with the Eagles that could be further extended through a five-year option for the university. Temple has expressed its desire in the past to eventually build its own football stadium, citing the benefit of having more control over revenues. Although its does not appear that the lease extension will put a stop to those efforts, it could give the university time to map out a strategy for securing a new facility. More from The Philadelphia Inquirer:
First reported by The Inquirer, the deal is for the next five years, with a five-year option for the Owls. Temple still hasn’t given up the hope of building its own stadium. The strong preference is for an on-campus stadium, but all ideas are on the table, according to multiple sources….
Temple’s original plan was to build an on-campus stadium off 15th Street. But for that to happen, it will need for 15th Street to be closed for good along the two blocks between Norris Street and Montgomery Avenue. The school has not received the legislative permission to do so. Neighbors in that area have opposed the proposed 35,000-seat stadium, which has been projected to cost $130 million.
Multiple sources have said Temple has looked into the idea of building the stadium on another part of campus if the university cannot get approval for its desired site.
Discussions have included building an off-campus stadium, but several Temple sources say the school prefers having a stadium on campus. The school thinks it will be more profitable to own its own stadium.
Located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, Lincoln Financial Field has hosted both the Eagles and Temple throughout its history. The stadium opened in 2003.
Image courtesy Temple Owls.
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