Plenty Of People Are Happy About The Senior Bowl Deal

Alabama Mobile They know it brings business.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Mon, October 05, 2009 - 9:25 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, October 05, 2009 - 10:53 pm CST

MOBILE, Alabama - Word of the Senior Bowl deal is bringing a lot of smiles to people's faces: not just football fans, but business owners as well.
Gina Jo Previto owns Veets Bar and Grill.
Its across the street from the Renaissance Riverview Plaza, the Senior Bowl headquarters hotel.
Previto said, "We all benefit from it (the Senior Bowl). Its just wonderful. The customers come down, the tourists to come down. The locals like to just come down and see the players and the coaches."
Bart Andrews is opening a new restaurant downtown, The Gulf Gate Lodge, next month.
He said, "Since I'm four doors down from the Senior Bowl office, we're looking forward to that Senior Bowl money, the Under Armour (company) money, and the big, big expense accounts."
Eddie Elliott with Source One Legal Copy said, "We've got a little business down the street here, a copy business, and they (the Senior Bowl) do work with us, so we're glad to see them stay."
But even people who don't own businesses in Mobile know the Senior Bowl helps paint the town green.
Charles Martin said, "I think its a real good deal. Keep the money here in Mobile. I think it's a real, real good deal."
Jillian Ellison said, "I think its good. It brings tourism to the city."
"It sounds great," according to Brenda Davis.
Grayson Parker said, "Its just a good thing to have the Senior Bowl in Mobile. Its been here for what, 60 years? And to keep it here is good thing for the city."

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BamaBob Says:

Tue, Oct 06, 2009 at 9:01 am

Maybe they need to try and rent out those private skyboxes tax dollars just built.

Alabama Patriot Says:

Tue, Oct 06, 2009 at 8:42 am

Quote from another user on another site: “The cost of securing this game for Mobile can make or break the city financially. Sure, the game brings in lots of money, but that is when the game is played. Somebody has got to pay the Senior Bowl people up front - before the game. The city is hiding how much they committed to because the amount is astronomical and probably far exceeds the $113,000 originally mentioned. This is also money that was not budgeted for, so they will either raise taxes, annex more areas, or a bunch of people will lose their jobs in order to make up the shortfall.”

BamaBob Says:

Tue, Oct 06, 2009 at 7:24 am

I’m sure everyone is happy that the Senior Bowl is staying here. But, we keep hearing that revenues are way down for both the city and the county. The county has been in the news about cutting out Christmas bonuses, etc. The city has been talking about a 10% cut across the board. Council members question the viability of the city’s budget. So, everyone should be asking how much this deal cost and where the money will come from.

Alabama Patriot Says:

Tue, Oct 06, 2009 at 6:22 am

I heard yesterday that the money usually stays in the downtown Mobile area. I guess the outlying areas might get a trickle of the money at some point. As far as the cost of the contract is concerned, it is probably astronomical and that is why the mayor and the city council will not discuss it publicly. The city council members already said that they were having to cut back and possibly lay people off because they did not have enough money to break even on this year’s budget. I bet this breaks the bank! LOL!! JMO

mob1 Says:

Tue, Oct 06, 2009 at 4:59 am

Yeah, I agree what is the Deal…. Why so hush hush about the deal itself.

BamaBob Says:

Mon, Oct 05, 2009 at 9:52 pm

What is the deal? Why leave that out of the story?

If something makes a million bucks and costs 2 million bucks, it ain’t a good deal. So, how much is the taxpayer on the hook for in this one?