The “NC Colosseum” Is Prestige Over Practicality

Since the Dean Smith Center needs major repairs, why is UNC considering a 25,000-seat cricket stadium? That was the surprise tucked into the Board of Trustees’ July 30 External Relations Committee packet. Trustee Vimal Kolappa and Minor League Cricket part-owner Vijay Nandakumar pitched what they call the “NC Colosseum,” a massive multi-sport venue to be built at the mixed-use Carolina North campus featuring cricket, football, soccer, rugby, and concerts and designed to turn UNC into a “global sports capital” before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The glossy presentation promised billions in economic impact and hundreds of millions in annual returns. What it did not explain is how this spectacle advances UNC’s academic mission—or why fixing the Dome is not the first priority.

Beyond the financial projections, questions remain about how the NC Colosseum aligns with UNC’s academic mission. The NC Colosseum is presented as a public-private partnership, but the packet provides few specifics on who is responsible for financing or the project’s long-term costs. Instead, trustees were shown projections that the construction of the NC Colosseum could generate up to $5 billion in cumulative economic impact, with an estimated $250 million in local income for every $100 million spent on construction. Of course, these are estimates, and nothing is guaranteed. The packet explains that the stadium could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue from events, concessions, sponsorships, and tourism. But there is no explanation of how oversight, governance, or accountability would be structured to ensure that UNC does not assume unexpected financial risk.

The stadium’s connection to teaching, student experience, or concrete research outcomes remains blurry. Beyond the financial projections, questions remain about how the NC Colosseum aligns with UNC’s academic mission. The July 30 packet frames the stadium as a potential tool for academic research and advancement, suggesting that it could support international partnerships and cross-disciplinary initiatives. The stadium is also pitched as a way to increase the university’s global visibility, in India specifically. India is advancing rapidly in AI, with research centers and international collaborations that could benefit UNC through partnerships, student exchanges, and internships. Morrisville, which hosts Minor League Cricket matches, has a growing cricket fan base, and Nandakumar, as part-owner of a team, could potentially connect the stadium to that community.

Yet UNC does not have a cricket team, and the stadium’s connection to teaching, student experience, or concrete research outcomes remains blurry. A critic might argue that prioritizing a multi-sport entertainment complex over the aging Dean Smith Center suggests the university is chasing donor dollars and high-profile projects rather than focusing on core academic and athletic infrastructure. Moreover, appealing to a specific demographic—South Asian cricket fans—could mean prioritizing external fundraising and prestige over students’ needs.

Meanwhile, the Dean Smith Center, UNC’s iconic basketball arena, continues to show its age. Roof repairs alone are estimated at $80-100 million, and a full renovation or replacement is still under study. Other infrastructure issues such as outdated seating and crowded walkways and entrances are being ignored. The Dean Smith Center has stood for decades as a classic part of Carolina, serving as the heart of campus life where generations of students and alumni come together to celebrate basketball, traditions, and milestones that define the spirit of the university. Why is a brand-new multi-sport entertainment complex being pitched while the Dome remains in urgent need of upgrades?

For the moment, the proposal remains under consideration, with no new developments or official actions taken by the UNC Board of Trustees. The Colosseum “sales pitch” promises to position UNC as a global hub for sports and entertainment, attracting international events, boosting tourism, and raising the university’s profile in emerging markets. It also suggests new opportunities for community engagement and partnerships beyond traditional athletics. But at what cost? Such a large-scale project could strain campus resources, complicate long-term maintenance, and shift focus away from existing facilities and academic priorities, creating a gamble that may favor prestige over practical benefits. Before chasing international attention, UNC should make sure the lights—and the roof—are secure at the Dean Smith Center.

Reagan Allen is the North Carolina reporter for the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal.