The Auburn Board of Trustees will vote on Feb. 7 to replace plans for a new basketball practice facility with a $9 million renovation of Neville Arena.
The updated project, titled “Neville Arena – Team Support Improvements,” will enhance 22,500 square feet within the arena, including upgrades to the practice gym, scholarship lobby, and team meeting spaces.
Auburn coach Bruce Pearl had previously emphasized prioritizing NIL over facility expansions. In 2022, he stated:
“We’ve got to take care of the NIL space first—in all sports. First, that’s got to be one of our commitments and our objectives.”
Addressing the decision again in January 2024, Pearl reiterated:
“It’s not that the men’s basketball practice facility or more space in Neville is not needed and have been improved. It’s just that the best way that I can tell all of our fans, for all of our sports, was when our project was up next, let’s call timeout and get some of these other things right first.”
The renovation will be funded by the athletics department.
