Memphis AD Ed Scott says 'we have to monetize' Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium

Memphis AD Ed Scott says 'we have to monetize' Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium

The Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium $225 million-plus renovation project — down the stretch it comes.

Nearly two years after work officially began on Memphis football’s home since 1965, the finish line is in sight. The first game in the Tigers’ gussied-up digs will be Sept. 5 against Arkansas State.

Memphis will play at least six games at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in 2026. The Southern Heritage Classic and the AutoZone Liberty Bowl will make it home to eight total events in the first four months post-makeover.

But that’s not enough for Memphis athletic director Ed Scott.

“We have to monetize the stadium,” he told The Commercial Appeal during a recent exclusive interview. “Because right now we play 7-9 football games in that stadium a year, and it’s the largest asset that we have as the Memphis Athletics Foundation — the largest one I’m in charge of, and we only monetize it 7-9 times.

“That’s not a good thing.”

Since taking the project baton upon his June 2024 hire, Scott has been upfront about the importance of diversifying Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium’s functionality. In previous interviews, he specifically mentioned the prospect of hosting Monster Truck rallies, wrestling matches, motocross races, Savannah Bananas events and concerts.

The venue, formerly known as Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, last hosted a major standalone concert in 1997, when U2 (and opening act Rage Against The Machine) drew more than 31,000. R&B star Chris Brown was scheduled to perform at the stadium on Oct. 18, 2025, but logistical issues related to the ongoing construction (specially, the tunnel behind the North end zone) prompted a last-minute cancellation.

“They would have had to crane stage pieces over the bowl of Liberty Stadium to get them on to the field, which is laborious and it’s costly,” Scott said. “They didn’t want to do that, and I can’t really blame them.”