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Proposed Heinz Field Upgrades Currently On Hold

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The Steelers want to add 3,000 new seats to Heinz Field and a new scoreboard, but those plans might be on hold until next year.

Common Pleas Judge Joseph James said the Steelers failed in their attempt to prove the changes met the requirements of a capital improvement.

According to our news partners at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Sports and Exhibition Authority would be required to pay for two-thirds of the proposed $40 million expansion if the changes can be deemed as a capital improvement.

Part of those requirements is proving that at least half of the other NFL stadiums have made similar upgrades, where at least 25 percent of the cost was picked up by federal, state or local governments.

The Steelers want taxpayers to pick up about $20 million. Currently, Heinz Field has 65,050 seats, which ranks 25th in the NFL.

After the ruling, the Steelers issued a statement:

"While we are disappointed that our motion for Partial Summary Judgment against the SEA was not granted, we look forward to the opportunity to present our full case to Judge James. We remain confident in our legal and factual position. Our lease clearly sets out the obligations the SEA agreed to perform regarding our proposed improvements at Heinz Field. We are simply asking that the SEA live up to its contractual obligations, as agreed to over a decade ago, just as we have lived up to our obligations during the past 12 years. Further delays by the SEA in honoring its legal obligations will put the expansion and improvements at Heinz Field in jeopardy."

Individual tickets for the upcoming season are currently on sale.

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