Behind the sports and entertainment centers that changed the game: Meet Frank Anderson
Frank Anderson is one of our most accomplished sports project managers. With more than 40 years of design and senior executive leadership experience in the fields of architecture, design and construction management, Frank has worked on capital projects ranging from large and complex to small and simple. Over the course of his career, he has partnered with 28 of the NFL’s 32 teams, contributing his expertise to a wide array of high-impact projects — from designing and upgrading stadiums to developing state-of-the-art training and operations facilities. He shares his journey in the industry, from working with the Miami Dolphins to his successful career at AECOM and recent work on Intuit Dome.
Could you tell us about your journey into architecture design and construction management?
Before entering the sports industry, most of my project experience began with large scale churches across North America, ranging from a few hundred seats to as large as 10,000 and with my degree in Interior Architecture from Kansas State University, it has allowed me a variety of experiences and development. The first third of my career focused on entry level architectural and interior work with base planning, documentation and development. The second third of my career was as a senior architect leading several project teams, and the next third of my career has been involved in more of the project management side. I’ve spent some time away from the architectural professional as I was on the owner’s side of the table, working as an owner’s representative for the Miami Dolphins, leading the construction administration of their renovation projects. All of which led me to where I am now at AECOM.
What inspired you to specialize in sports venues, and how did that path evolve?
Being the son of a retired lieutenant colonel in the USAF, we moved around a lot and settled in the Kansas City area, and I was always passionate about sports. Watching the Royals and Chiefs and later learning how their stadiums changed the sports architecture world, gave me a deep understanding of how a stadium can change history. Their evolution is what led to creating Kansas City as the sports architectural capital of the world. After joining Ellerbe Beckett (later acquired by AECOM), I took a two-year contract in Miami, Florida, to assist the Miami Dolphins with master planning. Those two years turned into eight, during which I served as owner and client representative for over $600 million in comprehensive facility upgrades.
After your time in Miami, how did your role evolve at AECOM?
I returned to Kansas City and joined AECOM in 2013 as an associate project manager. Now, I serve as Vice President, Sports Practice Leader and Senior Project Manager, and have worked on a wide range of professional sports projects — including the Intuit Dome, Golden 1 Center and Barclays Center.
How do you stay grounded during long complex projects and how would you keep the team inspired to get to the finish line?
Getting to the finish line is the ultimate prize. Making it to the grand opening, the first event or celebration is what it’s all about. Whether it’s a year or seven years of work, there’s no better feeling than seeing fans experience the venue for the first time. Watching them interact with the space exactly as we envisioned is incredibly rewarding. I don’t think there’s anything else like it in the world.
Intuit Dome has been called one of the most ambitious arenas ever built. What do you think sets it apart from your other projects?
When I stepped in as the Project Manager, we understood the technical challenges ahead. With Steve Ballmer’s vision — he’s very technically savvy — we focused on improving both the fan experience and operational efficiency. A major part of the design planning involved optimizing the placement of restrooms and concessions so that fans wouldn’t miss a second of the game. As a result, we implemented grab-and-go technology to minimize time away from the action. Our goal was to create a truly frictionless experience.
What’s one thing about Intuit Dome that fans may not realize, but that represents a breakthrough in how sports venues are delivered?
One groundbreaking feature is the use of facial recognition for entry and ticketing through the “Game Face ID” system, allowing fans to enter without a physical ticket. But it doesn’t stop there — technology is integrated throughout the venue. For example, in the Wall section, a screen delivers personalized messages to each fan just by looking at it. Even with 100 people using it simultaneously, the system tailors messages based on past purchases or even sound decibel levels from their seat.
Looking back, which project taught you the most and what did it teach you?
I began working with the Miami Dolphins in 1990, just a few years earlier they moved into a new stadium in 1987 — one of the first NFL venues to feature a premium club-level experience. I worked with the original owners on unfinished areas of the stadium, which were left open for future development. Around 1993, Wayne Huizenga became a minority owner and successfully brought the Marlins to Miami. From there, we began adapting the stadium for baseball. That project sparked my enthusiasm for sports architecture and ignited my passion for the industry. I saw the value of maintaining strong client relationships, not just professionally, but personally. My two daughters have both worked in this industry, and from the beginning, I told them that this is a personal business — it’s all about building and sustaining strong relationships. It’s the same message I share with junior architects entering the field: success in this profession hinges not just on talent, but on the relationships you cultivate and maintain over time.