The Dean E. Smith Center's future as the home of the UNC men's basketball team is in doubt.

A decision about whether to relocate from or renovate the iconic area is expected next month, which will mark the 40-year anniversary of the building's opening. And the debate surrounding this topic has become polarizing among former Tar Heel players and university leadership.

The primary reason change is inevitable and necessary is that the Smith Center currently isn't generating enough revenue. For example, there aren't any suites or premium seating.

Now that the schools are expected to pay players directly, the need for revenue has never been greater than it is in the current landscape of college sports.

Take the budget for this year's UNC basketball team, which reportedly exceeded $14 million. Also, don't forget that the football program is paying Bill Belichick $10 million with a significant budget for roster construction.

What further exacerbates the issues is the ACC's television deal that runs through 2036. With every passing year, the revenue distributed from that contract ages worse and worst. Meanwhile, the payouts UNC's competitors in the SEC and the Big Ten enjoy continue to grow, which has ACC administrators concerned about their ability to keep up on the fields and courts. 

The most likely option is trending towards relocating to a place called the Carolina North site. This location is currently off campus. However, the university has indicated that it hopes to extend UNC's campus there before a potentially new arena's construction is completed. 

Also, in the name of revenue generation, the Carolina North campus would feature more real estate — to use for bars, restaurants, auxiliary entertainment venues, etc —  than the surrounding area that the Smith Center sits.

Even if UNC decides to remain at the Smith Center, the extent of the renovation would likely require the Tar Heels to find a new, temporary home for multiple seasons while the rebuild takes place.