If they want to do that, let them. Ignorance is bliss. We know the comfort of air conditioned domed stadiums and I can't see anyone choosing to go back to open air in this kind of climate. I'm sure some fans would go no matter what, but I'm not one of them. I already don't like actually going to games, make me horribly uncomfortable by having it be in the 80's and 90's and humid as hell and there's no chance I go unless I'm getting paid for it.
Then if push came to shove, they can build their own place, right? They don't need NRG stadium to have that sort of impact. The Texans do need the best football specific stadium possible.
You're making an argument that doesn't make sense. I'm talking about financial benefit to the city and county. There's no doubt that the Texans organization makes more money than any one individual involved in the rodeo. The rodeo isn't owned by a single person. Most of the financial benefit of sports teams goes back to the team whereas the rodeo makes a lot of money for a ton of people
And I'm talking about if one tenant needs to improve/change/do something to the stadium that may affect the other... typically the more powerful entity will have the final say. Again, nobody is talking about getting rid of the rodeo... I just highly doubt that they will be the #1 priority when making any decisions regarding the future of NRG. The Texans have, and will continue to, come first (and in many instances, the improvements/changes have always benefitted the rodeo... without them even needing it). Its most definitely a footballs stadium first... a rodeo venue second.
And to that, I always respond with... if they have that much money, power and pull... they could easily fund and get their own specific venue (if the Texans end up putting in a grass solution that they have a potential issue with.) Like I said before, NRG is actually pretty awful to watch rodeo events/concerts in... its probably the least desirable aspect of the rodeo itself (whereas everything else from the fair grounds to the vendors/tents/cook-off set up are great). But something tells me, they'll never do that if push comes to shove.
Houston/Harris County isn't about to let go of the title "world's largest livestock show and rodeo" so it will accommodate the rodeo however they can. No, they aren't building another 70kplus stadium just for the rodeo, but they aren't going to treat the rodeo like the redheaded stepchild either. So that's why I think the playing field for the Texans pretty much has to be removable.
The county should never have to use taxpayer money to do any of this... the team can pay for their improvements (like they have thus far)... and the rodeo can pay for whatever they need themselves as well. If the rodeo needs a new venue, they can pay for it themselves.... they're not going anywhere. Nobody is treating anybody like a red-headed stepchild... but this is a football stadium first/foremost. They don't have to step on anybody's toes, but if the only way to get a suitable grass solution is a somewhat permanent field with artificial light, etc. (again, extremely unlikely), they need to explore it regardless. Will be interesting to see what they use for the Super Bowl next year.
http://www.astroturf.com/products/ http://www.astroturf.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/ASTROTURF-Fact-Sheet-NRG.pdf
No... Astroturf is just the name company (but yes, they were responsible for all that is wrong with synthetic turf in years past). They now make it more grass-like.
So it looks like they already own the turf and have been using it since 2012 for other events? If so, it's kind of funny since it apparently gets stored in the Astrodome for when the Texans want to use the grass field.
