AL.com: City/County to provide $500k each for USFL

[4th&long]

The cheap b##tards... not quite there yet but....

https://www.al.com/sports/2021/10/birmi ... match.html

>> Last week, the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau became the first entity to make a commitment to financially support hosting the first season of the new Fox Sports-owned USFL in Birmingham. At a special call meeting of its board of directors Thursday, the CVB voted to contribute up to $2 million towards expenses.

“It’s a very exciting opportunity for the city of Birmingham and all stakeholders involved,” said board chair Bill Murray.

Commitments now total $3 million, still almost $700,000 short of projected costs.

However, the BJCC will generate revenue from concessions and parking, and other areas and any losses won’t need to be funded until after the first season when the BJCC will ask stakeholders to fund any loss.

“Fox is not seeking any incentive,” Michael Davis of Balch & Bingham, which represents Fox Sports, told the CVB board last week. “No money goes to Fox or the league. Any pledges [from stakeholders] will go to the BJCC to have operational costs secured in case they have a loss.”

It’s not yet clear if other stakeholders, including the state, will help close the gap.

The league may host as many as four teams in Birmingham during the USFL’s second year, with as many as four teams playing in their respective cities. In the third year, the teams will play in their own cities.

“Birmingham is on the move,” Williams said. “Our investments in quality facilities are already paying off. We look forward to continuing to grow our city and our region through sporting events and tourism which will grow our economy and provide quality venues and entertainment for our citizens.”<<

Inching closer...

[herns]

The cheap b##tards... not quite there yet but....

https://www.al.com/sports/2021/10/birmi ... match.html

>> Last week, the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau became the first entity to make a commitment to financially support hosting the first season of the new Fox Sports-owned USFL in Birmingham. At a special call meeting of its board of directors Thursday, the CVB voted to contribute up to $2 million towards expenses.

“It’s a very exciting opportunity for the city of Birmingham and all stakeholders involved,” said board chair Bill Murray.

Commitments now total $3 million, still almost $700,000 short of projected costs.

However, the BJCC will generate revenue from concessions and parking, and other areas and any losses won’t need to be funded until after the first season when the BJCC will ask stakeholders to fund any loss.

“Fox is not seeking any incentive,” Michael Davis of Balch & Bingham, which represents Fox Sports, told the CVB board last week. “No money goes to Fox or the league. Any pledges [from stakeholders] will go to the BJCC to have operational costs secured in case they have a loss.”

It’s not yet clear if other stakeholders, including the state, will help close the gap.

The league may host as many as four teams in Birmingham during the USFL’s second year, with as many as four teams playing in their respective cities. In the third year, the teams will play in their own cities.

“Birmingham is on the move,” Williams said. “Our investments in quality facilities are already paying off. We look forward to continuing to grow our city and our region through sporting events and tourism which will grow our economy and provide quality venues and entertainment for our citizens.”<<

Inching closer...

I wonder why fox wanted the city paying that little of an amount in comparison to what they have as an organization. Maybe they just wanted a show of faith that the city was fully bought in so they feel safe doing the mini bubble next year

[4th&long]

The cheap b##tards... not quite there yet but....

https://www.al.com/sports/2021/10/birmi ... match.html

>> Last week, the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau became the first entity to make a commitment to financially support hosting the first season of the new Fox Sports-owned USFL in Birmingham. At a special call meeting of its board of directors Thursday, the CVB voted to contribute up to $2 million towards expenses.

“It’s a very exciting opportunity for the city of Birmingham and all stakeholders involved,” said board chair Bill Murray.

Commitments now total $3 million, still almost $700,000 short of projected costs.

However, the BJCC will generate revenue from concessions and parking, and other areas and any losses won’t need to be funded until after the first season when the BJCC will ask stakeholders to fund any loss.

“Fox is not seeking any incentive,” Michael Davis of Balch & Bingham, which represents Fox Sports, told the CVB board last week. “No money goes to Fox or the league. Any pledges [from stakeholders] will go to the BJCC to have operational costs secured in case they have a loss.”

It’s not yet clear if other stakeholders, including the state, will help close the gap.

The league may host as many as four teams in Birmingham during the USFL’s second year, with as many as four teams playing in their respective cities. In the third year, the teams will play in their own cities.

“Birmingham is on the move,” Williams said. “Our investments in quality facilities are already paying off. We look forward to continuing to grow our city and our region through sporting events and tourism which will grow our economy and provide quality venues and entertainment for our citizens.”<<

Inching closer...

I wonder why fox wanted the city paying that little of an amount in comparison to what they have as an organization. Maybe they just wanted a show of faith that the city was fully bought in so they feel safe doing the mini bubble next year

Because $4mm is $4mm. Better someone else's money. They are providing the city a financial benefit, they want to city/cty/st to chip in. BTW Fox is not getting the money based on other reports. Its used to cover cost to operate the stadium which is provided at no charge (something like that from previous news stories).

BTW here's more on the $500k from local ABC TV:

https://abc3340.com/news/local/councilm ... fl-efforts