Last year, the city paid out 40,000 for the match up between Alabama State University and Southern University. This year, Mayor Sam Jones is proposing to increase that budget to 450,000!
He says the game will become a true classic and offer 3 days worth of activities. He believes it will attract thousands of new visitors and get a commitment from both teams. "Historically black universities have classics not bowl games and that's what this is. Our goal is to draw at least 45 thousand to Mobile and we think it can draw that if it becomes a true classic."
Councilwoman Connie Hudson is not convinced that this is the best way to spend city money. "I was shocked that the administration would recommend that sort of an increase with these times. You hear the administration talking about how we don't have capacity to fund things. We don't have capacity to fund this classic over 1-thousand percent increase. It's disturbing."
The city council is scheduled to vote on their budget at Tuesday's meeting. The cash for the classic is in that budget.
The Director of the Gulf Coast Classic told News 5 that if the city doesn't approve the additional money, Southern University might not come to Mobile this year to play. The game is slated for November 15th.

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On a similar note, I am still waiting for the City to hire Scott Novak as the head of the Mobile Tennis Center (renamed Copeland-Cox). He has been able to bring in state, regional and national tennis tournaments to Mobile held year round, and the economic impact is in the millions. But instead of appointing the person rated #1 by the personnel board (Novak), the Mayor has brought in someone from Lyons Park who does not have anywhere near the experience. Once again, the economic impact on the community is ignored. Just a couple weeks ago, there were over 500 juniors from around the South (and their parents/coaches) for a 3 day tournament and several more large tournaments before the end of the year…..At least Council President Copeland has said he supports Mr. Novak. This position came available in April - what is the hold up? Maybe they are waiting to see how much money they will get from annexed areas.