LOOK: Broncos Unveil Massive New Stadium Upgrade at Mile High

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The Walton/Penner ownership group continues to converse with Denver Broncos fans, except, rather than words, it's speaking with its actions. Beyond the dollars sunk into Russell Wilson's extension, the hiring of head coach Sean Payton, and the most money spent on free agents in the NFL this offseason, the Broncos' ownership group has also invested in stadium infrastructure.
Back in January, the Broncos replaced the entire field at Empower Field at Mile High for the final game of the season at the expense of $400,000. Cut to April, and the Broncos just unveiled the next phase in the ownership's systematic upgrades.
How does a new videoboard at the stadium sound?
A new & improved videoboard at @EmpowerField coming soon!
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 11, 2023
Behind-the-scenes construction 📸's of our record $100M in renovations » https://t.co/nf6vOgl22d pic.twitter.com/HZClMpYDXN
The South Stands are in a state of upheaval, but it'll be fun to see the Broncos' vision for the "new and improved" videoboard take shape.
We learned back in December that the Broncos had greenlit funding for $100 million in "refurbishments" for Empower Field at Mile High, some of which came via loan from the NFL.
According to sources, the @Broncos are planning a $100M refurbishment to Empower Field at Mile High 🏟
— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) December 9, 2022
The team is seeking a loan through the NFL’s G-4 program for the work, which is subject to a vote of fellow owners next week.
(via @BenFischerSBJ) pic.twitter.com/g517AHOTd1
While it's impressive and exciting to see the renovations begin, for those fans pining for a new stadium in downtown Denver, it likely means those hopes can be dashed for now. The Broncos, as rich as their owners are, wouldn't spend $100M on upgrades just to tear it all down and build a new one in a couple of years.
When Damani Leech was hired last year as team president under CEO and co-owner Greg Penner, he made it clear how ownership views Empower Field at Mile High.
“First of all, Empower Field at Mile High is a first-class facility," Leech said last August. "It not only hosts amazing NFL games, but concerts and other events and it is a core part of this community. There are a number of things that I will be looking at as I take over in this organization, obviously the stadium is one of them.”
What other upgrades can Broncos Country look forward to? Only time will tell. But the winds of change are definitely blowing through the Mile High City.
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Chad Jensen is the Publisher of Denver Broncos On SI, the Founder of Mile High Huddle, and creator of the popular Mile High Huddle Podcast. Chad has been on the Denver Broncos beat since 2012 and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
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