Senior Bowl Sees Red (Ink)

Alabama Mobile After losing more than $150000 putting on this year's game Senior Bowl organizers say they are unsure about Mobile's financial viability and are looking at other host cities.

by Associated Press

Published: Sun, September 13, 2009 - 1:16 pm CST Last Updated: Sun, September 13, 2009 - 1:33 pm CST

MOBILE, Alabama - The Senior Bowl lost more than $150,000
putting on this year's game in January, and organizers say they're
looking at other possible host cities, in part, because of
uncertainty about the long-term financial viability in Mobile.
Tax filings by the Mobile Arts & Sports Association show that
over the past five years, the event has made enough money to award
$1.1 million in charitable donations, while accruing $1.2 million
in profit.
But organizers say ticket sales and sponsorships slumped in the
face of the worst recession in the game's 58-year history in
Mobile.
Victor Lott Jr., chairman of association, says expenses for the
game are rising, while revenue has peaked.

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Alabama Patriot Says:

Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 3:26 pm

The place *might* be usable for dirt bike racing and monster truck competitions, I don’t know. At least, with these sports, something different would be in Mobile. Trouble is - these events are of mixed racial groups - white and black. Because of this, Mobile probably would not support these events. Equality appears to have no place in Mobile’s society (at least as far as the leaders are concerned). Maybe a miniature scat-car racing track would be a good idea. At least the kids could compete against each other. It might even get support from the parents. Who Knows? JMO

rolltide33 Says:

Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 12:32 pm

Build the jags a proper stadium and use Ladd Peoples for organized jello wrestling.

BamaBob Says:

Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 11:58 am

The city has pumped a whole lot of money into Ladd-Peebles over the years. Does the city get a cut of those profits, or is it strictly tax dollars going into the stadium and the security for the games?

That kind of money could have built a very nice complex in a more accessible location.

JOESPKN Says:

Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 9:28 am

GO SENIOR BOWL!!! and take the Mobile Arts and
Sports Association with you.

Alabama Patriot Says:

Sun, Sep 13, 2009 at 9:26 pm

Despite the time that the Senior Bowl has been promoting their games here, it has always been about money. These people will be wise to take the game to either Tampa or Jacksonville because there is a much bigger market for this organization and the potential for big profits far exceeds what they could ever expect to get by staying here. Mobile, although industry is increasing locally albeit at a slow pace, is losing its tax base due to a extremely high crime rate and by the mass exodus of the white middle-class families (that actually want to work and be responsible for their own living) to Baldwin county and elsewhere. Mobile should look at making itself a desired destination for business and people, instead of always taking the easy way out and annexing neighborhoods in unorthodox ways. This procedure is another reason that people and businesses are leaving Mobile - lots of people no longer trust the city leadership to support them because it is quite obvious that the city is only interested in how much revenue that they can get from them. Senior Bowl Organization and Promoters - Please do what is financially feasible for your business and don’t let local politics block your way. JMO