USC to Add On-Field Luxury Suites to Endzone at LA Coliseum

In yet another effort to “improve fan experience” generate more revenue from corporate sponsors, USC announced today that there will be luxury suites on Coliseum turf this season, just beyond the east endzone.

"The Peristyle Club, located outside the east end of the Coliseum, will provide members with a one-of-a-kind pre- and post-game tailgating experience, including all-inclusive upscale food and beverage, a cash bar, shaded lounge seating, music and live sports on TVs. The Peristyle Club experience will be an arm’s length away as the USC team enters the stadium during the pre-game Trojan Walk. The Peristyle Club will be open three hours prior to kickoff until an hour after the game ends. Ten private Field Suites, seating 16 patrons on the field just feet from the action, will line the east end zone in front of the Sun Deck. Suite holders, who will access the field via the iconic Coliseum Peristyle stairs, will enjoy an unprecedented VIP experience. Field Suite holders have unlimited entry to the Peristyle Club, as well as to the Field Club."

Suites aren’t new to the Coliseum, as temporary suites dubbed the “Audi Suites” have sat in front of –and blocked the view of– the Peristyle in the east end since 2012. And even before that, less-intrusive tents were set up along the Peristyle for various VIP amenities.

In a photo tweeted by Arash Markazki (click here for a large version), the on-field suites look to be in place of the former Audi Suites, but it is unconfirmed.

If that is to be the case, today’s announcement could to be a win for most, in the sense that the suites are in a much better location for corporate big wigs watching the game from there, and it would keep the Peristyle visible.

How it affects both the Spirit of Troy and the student section overflow in the sundeck is unknown as of now. And how it affects the overall game experience will have to be seen.

We touched it on it back in 2012, but game experience has been waning at the Coliseum for years despite a sharp allocation of funds from devoted to game presentation in recent years.

Beloved PA announcer Dennis Packer was let go in favor of the Dodgers’ Eric Smith, the Spirit of Troy were moved to the east endzone and mic’d up, and the aforementioned suites blocking the view of the Coliseum’s most famous architectural feature is like putting up signage over the ivy at Wrigley Field.