Senior Bowl Stays

Sports Senior Owners of the Senior Bowl vote to keep the game in Mobile

by Bill Riales

Published: Thu, October 08, 2009 - 8:57 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, October 08, 2009 - 9:14 pm CST

MOBILE, alabama - Senior Bowl President Steve Hale made the announcement following a four hour meeting by the board of the Mobile Arts and Sports Association. The board signed a three year deal with Ladd-Peebles Stadium to continue the Senior Bowl in Mobile.

"It's signed and we're looking for to preparing for this year's game and we hope our fans will all jump on board," Hale said.

Hale said the board voted to discontinue talks with other cities. Earlier this year requests for proposals were sent to at least nine other cities and several responded with high interest.--Jacksonville and Tampa among them. The decision to open discusssions with other cities about located the Senior Bowl somewhere other than Mobile was a source of serious and heated debate for months.

"Honestly the compelling reason that we decided to discontinue any discussions with any other city was because of the great support we received from this community." said Hale.

The three year deal with Ladd-Peebles does include a buy out clause each year. But Hale said, "Well, there is, but it doesn't matter, its irrelevant. Our commitment is to stay in Mobile."

The Board acknowledged several reasons why it opened talks with other cities. One of the biggest was the age and condition of Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
"But I believe that with the community support, with the city willing to work with us and even at the state level---its an easy thing now--we've made the commitment that we're going to be here. We'll figure out a way to make it work," he said.

Hale went on to say he and the board realize there is some healing that needs to be done, especially with the games fan base. But he said its that support that led to the overwhelming vote by the board to keep the game in Mobile. Challenges ahead, he said, are to maintain a title sponsor and find other sponsorships, and maintain national coverage of the game itself.

WKRG.com » News Stream » Alabama