Senior Bowl Negotiations Stalled By Advertising Dispute

Florida Alabama While the future of the game is in limbo News Five learns of at least one sticking point in contract negotiations.

by Jessica Taloney

Published: Tue, August 25, 2009 - 5:03 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, August 25, 2009 - 5:43 pm CST

One of Mobile's big money makers is shopping for a new home.

News Five confirmed Monday, The Mobile Arts and Sports Association is entertaining offers from other cities to host Senior Bowl, which has played at Mobile's Ladd Peebles Stadium for nearly sixty years.

Milton Joyner, Chairman of the stadium's Board of Directors, says he has not spoken with anyone from the Senior Bowl organization since they sent the city-owned stadium a counter proposal in response to a contract drafted last spring. "My point is to talk with them realistically and see if we can come to an agreement of understanding where we both are satisfied," he said about a meeting scheduled next week.

Mobile City Council President Reggie Copeland says one of the biggest issues in contract negotiations between the stadium and MASA, which owns the game, is control over advertising.

Advertisements posted inside Ladd Peebles Stadium generate $100,000 per year, according to Copeland, but the Senior Bowl, which has its own sponsors, wants the signs covered up during their game. "That's not going to happen," said Copeland, who during an interview Tuesday, downplayed the significance of the Senior Bowl in light of the University of South Alabama's new football team. "It's very important, but keep in mind, it's one game," said Copeland. "South Alabama is now going to bring us six a year."

Copeland insists he believes the Senior Bowl will continue to be played in the Port City, but officials with the organization, who declined to comment Tuesday, will reportedly participate in a conference call with leaders in Jacksonville, Florida about the future of the game.

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claycitymadness Says:

Wed, Sep 02, 2009 at 7:13 am

so which busness that he owns or represents has advertising reggie wont cover up for one event. i dont blame senior bowl, its thier stadium for the week, cover it up.

Alabama Patriot Says:

Wed, Sep 02, 2009 at 6:23 am

Meeting today about the Senior Bowl. Looks like the city doesn’t want to pay them enough money or agree with their demands. Jacksonville will be getting a good deal. JMO

bamafan Says:

Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 4:30 am

Over the years having attended and having my children attend MCPSS. I have been to Ladd Stadium many times.That being said, I have not witnessed anything that was great about the stadium. You park a mile away,walk through muck and uck to get there. Then the bathrooms are nasty,they smell and have no paper. The grass (turf)looks terrible. So unless you have someone actually playing or preforming on the field. I would just keep my money and read about the results in the paper.

Alabama Patriot Says:

Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 5:52 pm

South Alabama needs to build its new stadium immediately. Otherwise, the majority of the profits will go to the bank accounts of the city of Mobile. The college needs the income in order to keep providing the high level of quality education that they are known for. The people that control the Senior Bowl want much bigger profits and more control over the game and the advertising than Mobile is willing to give them. Maybe the best business decision that they can make in this down economy is to go where they can get the most benefits and money so that the Senior Bowl can continue to grow and to prosper. Mobile appears to be only interested in raking in the big bucks and not spending any (or very little, if they can help it). From past observances, this is par for the course in Mobile. JMO

nuong Says:

Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 5:52 pm

USA is going to play at Ladd?