From what people who have read the study as part of the request have said, it would actually be overall a net loss of 1,500 seats.
In these plans, they are also going to remove the top 14 rows of the East Main Stands under the balcony and put in ADA seating. This would be a loss of 3,000 seats.
The new structure in the south end zone would add 1,500 more than the current horseshoe. Making a net loss overall of 1,500
1,500 one way or the other isn't a big deal.
And getting rid of those seats deep under the overhang is a good idea, those are some of the worst seats in the house.
Also, if lowering the field isn't feasible (it is feasible, but if they decide not to do it for whatever reason), you could also just tear down the first five rows in the spots where they are currently tarped off. That would create the appearance of a lot of distance from the field, but the fans would be no further away and it would be infinitely better than than janky tarped-off look we have now.
For real, if we spend nine figures TWICE and still have the tarps....I'm gonna blow a gasket or something.
Where they should add seats is bringing the North End Zone down to field level, and putting students where the band currently sits.
In any event, if we get to a place where there is huge demand for tickets beyond the capacity at 60, 61, 59, whatever thousand, you could easily tear down the North End Zone and build a section that seats 8,000 more people without breaking a sweat, and if your ticket demand is that high it would pay for itself. That's a long way off.