Over the years I have infuriated more than one reader of this column about various issues. To my mind, those columns which have annoyed the largest number of readers and raised blood pressure to the highest levels have been those concerned with intercollegiate athletics at Kansas University. I realize that there are many alumni and fans of KU football and baseball who rank loyalty to our teams as something equivalent to religion. To speak ill of KU Athletics is to risk serious vengeance. But what the heck!

I have to say that I have been nothing but amazed by the incredibly positive reaction to the rather sketchy details of the deal worked out between the university and the KU Athletics over the new addition to Memorial Stadium, the so-called Gridiron Club. The addition is targeted at our wealthy fans since costs will range from $30,000 to $105,000. The length of the contracts will be from five to 30 years.

This is not simply a ticket purchase; this is an investment. But, to tell the truth, I have no problem with the new expansion nor with the idea of providing our wealthiest alumni and fans with luxury seating. I am well aware that the athletics association exists to raise money from these people and that providing such facilities helps to make that possible.

My skepticism about the new expansion rests instead on how I read what has supposedly been agreed to by KU and the KU Athletics. The essence of this are the details about the much ballyhooed deal between the university and the athletics association. The parties and the media have basically reported that the university will get $40 million out of the deal. But is this really true? I wonder.

Although details of the agreement are not easily found, a clue to the arrangement is a statement made by Jim Marchiony, the associate athletics director, in an interview with the Web site Inside Higher Ed (http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/09/22/luxury). When asked whether the athletics association was confident it would sell the new, expensive seats, Marchiony replied:

“I’m not sure of a timetable, but I’m confident we will be able to provide the money to the university,” Marchiony said. “The athletic director has already spoken to the chancellor and made this commitment. What comes first is paying for the building, obviously, but this is our next priority.”

It’s the highlighted sections of Marchiony’s statement that worry me. Apparently, while the plan is to have the expansion ready for the 2010 football season, there’s no timetable for paying the $40 million to KU. Second, it would appear that KU won’t begin to get its $40 million share until after the athletics association has been paid back the $34 million cost of building the extension.

Then, apparently, KU will get its share. Obviously, it’s better than getting nothing, but I would strongly urge Chancellor Gray-Little not to plan on spending any of the $40 million until she sees some real cash. To my eyes, this may not happen in her or my lifetime. Once, again, Lew Perkins proves that he is no dummy when it comes to dealing with KU.