NM Lawmaker: 'Mountain of Cash' Could Fund UNM Stadium Renovations

State has money to invest in university athletics, says Sen. Moe Maestas.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A prominent New Mexico lawmaker, Sen. Moe Maestas, said the state government has been sitting on 'mountains of cash' for the past few years and is now looking to put that money to good use, including potentially funding renovations to the University of New Mexico's athletics facilities.

Why it matters

UNM's athletics department has long struggled with aging facilities and limited budgets. This potential influx of state funding could provide a major boost to the university's sports programs and help drive economic development in Albuquerque and across New Mexico.

The details

During an appearance on a local sports radio show, Sen. Maestas, an Albuquerque Democrat, said the state legislature has been discussing investments in infrastructure and projects that can provide a strong return on investment, including NCAA Division I football which he sees as 'economic development' for the university, city, and state.

  • The state government has had 'mountains of cash' for the past 2-3 years.
  • The current legislative session is when lawmakers are looking to put that money to use.

The players

Sen. Moe Maestas

An Albuquerque Democrat and prominent New Mexico lawmaker.

University of New Mexico

The state's flagship public university with an NCAA Division I athletics program.

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What they’re saying

“We've been sitting on mountains of cash for two, three years, but this [legislative] session we put that money to good use.”

— Sen. Moe Maestas, Albuquerque Democrat (KQTM-FM)

“We started talking about investments, infrastructure, return on investments that [NCAA Division I] football, in particular, is economic development, not only for the university but for the city and the state.”

— Sen. Moe Maestas, Albuquerque Democrat (KQTM-FM)

What’s next

The state legislature will need to approve any funding for UNM stadium renovations as part of the current legislative session.

The takeaway

This potential state funding could be a game-changer for UNM athletics, providing the resources needed to upgrade aging facilities and boost the university's sports programs in a way that drives economic development across New Mexico.