Push for new Sacramento State sports stadiums picks up steam in pursuit to join Pac-12

SACRAMENTO – It’s crunch time for supporters of Sacramento State’s effort to build two new sports venues in their pursuit of joining the Pac-12 conference.

Hornet Stadium is too small for the Pac-12 standards and so is the basketball arena.

So now there’s a new push for new stadiums as they seek to score an entry into the Pac-12.

 Sacramento State alum and city councilmember Eric Guerra is going all in to support construction.

A new Sacramento State feasibility study shows the school would need to build a new football stadium at an estimated cost of $300 million and a new basketball arena at an estimated $250 million.

“This opportunity I think is one in a lifetime for the university because the Pac-12 is trying to stay in the west coast,” Guerra said.

Some of the same groups that worked to build momentum to keep the NBA in Sacramento, by building the Golden 1 Center, are also behind this effort to grow the Sacramento State athletic brand. 

“But this is different because I see this as an opportunity to grow our institutions and creating more opportunities for other kids,” Guerra said.

For now, financing the proposed construction costs would come from Sacramento student fees, a network of alumni and boosters.

Some notable deep-pocket Sacramento State alumni include actor Tom Hanks, director and former Sacramento State football player Ryan Coogler, Sleep Train founder Dale Carlsen and prolific developer Angelo Tsakopolous.

As Sacramento State seeks to build its brand, building these new athletic facilities are now part of the plan. 

The Pac-12 says it’s planing to add two new universities by the 2026. They could make their decision on who they invite within a matter of months.