Indiana Black Expo Issues Statement Regarding Circle City Classic Contracts


Kenn Rashad

Kenn Rashad

Person In Charge
Staff member
The contracts TSPNsports obtained through an open records request from both schools showed that Grambling is to receive payments equaling $320,000, while Alcorn State is to receive $230,000 in payments.

We requested a comment from Indiana Black Expo, Inc., the non-profit organization that hosts the Circle City Classic, on the reason for the disparity in payments. Tanya Bell, who serves as the president and CEO of IBE, issued the following statement:
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http://www.tspnsports.com/2013/04/1...t-regarding-circle-city-classic-contracts.htm
 



I understand your role as a journalist...and it is to be commended! Yet as I read this, I thought back on the hoopla surrounding the contract for the first Port City Classic between Grambling and LaTech. The Grambling fans were in an uproar because of rumors that LaTech was receiving a larger payout than Grambling (we were the home team). We (Gramblinites) demanded to know the details and some bitched and moaned that Gram's then AD, Lin Dawson had sold us for chump change. After getting the info released via the media, it was revealed that LaTech was guaranteed 50% of the first $400K, but subsequent levels were broken down to give Grambling the largest share of any excess gate receipts, plus program sales, plus parking.

The Tech folk were LIVID and because of the uproar, it dimmed the interest of subsequent state schools. Sometimes we should remember the old country adage "Nothing ruins a duck but it's bill". Our fans tend to "quack" too much and give our positions away.
 
MikeBigg said:
I understand your role as a journalist...and it is to be commended! Yet as I read this, I thought back on the hoopla surrounding the contract for the first Port City Classic between Grambling and LaTech. The Grambling fans were in an uproar because of rumors that LaTech was receiving a larger payout than Grambling (we were the home team). We (Gramblinites) demanded to know the details and some bitched and moaned that Gram's then AD, Lin Dawson had sold us for chump change. After getting the info released via the media, it was revealed that LaTech was guaranteed 50% of the first $400K, but subsequent levels were broken down to give Grambling the largest share of any excess gate receipts, plus program sales, plus parking. The Tech folk were LIVID and because of the uproar, it dimmed the interest of subsequent state schools. Sometimes we should remember the old country adage "Nothing ruins a duck but it's bill". Our fans tend to "quack" too much and give our positions away.
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When FCS teams play FBS teams, FBS teams getting larger payouts is to be expected. It's up to your AD and President to play the game. Bottom line is no matter where ya'll played FBS La. Tech, ya'll were going to be at a disadvantage payout wise. Ya'll got them on the back-end though with the gate, parking, etc.

In the CCC, it is totally different on Alcorns part as for negotiations. THEY HAD A SECURED HOME GAME AGAINST YA'LL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS. They had the option to play hardball and tell the CCC, WE DON'T HAVE TO PLAY THIS GAME, and there would have been nothing Gram could have done. Alcorns excitement and short-sight cost them a lot of money.

Gram comming to Alcorn would have been another huge crowd for them guranteed after the way their fans have byotched and moaned about not playing ya'll on the reservation. I understand what Kenn is saying about the contract negotiations, but this was just plain dumb on Alcorns part and I'm not trying to smack or belittle Alcorn. I'm just talking good business sense.

Gram had it and took advantage of the situation in both cases.............Alcorn didn't and got screwed.
 
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I feel ya on that... but all the back and forth, reminded me of how chat board bravado (between Gramblinites, including me, and Tech folk on their board) prompted some of the Grambling folks to "get the facts" and when we went back to Tech with our "info", a lot of their fans used that as further reason not to attend.

Back to Alcorn...Apparently they felt this "guarantee" was better than a potential poorly attended game. Personally, if it was me (as their AD), I would have kept it a home game.
 
In the world of classics, it seems that Grambling's officials have gained more experience in negotiating the best contract for it's school. Perhaps this can be a learning experience for Alcorn.
Let's not even mention the costs of travel expenses for fans that could've been paid in parking, concessions and tailgating AT Alcorn.
 
MikeBigg said:
I feel ya on that... but all the back and forth, reminded me of how chat board bravado (between Gramblinites, including me, and Tech folk on their board) prompted some of the Grambling folks to "get the facts" and when we went back to Tech with our "info", a lot of their fans used that as further reason not to attend.

Back to Alcorn...Apparently they felt this "guarantee" was better than a potential poorly attended game. Personally, if it was me (as their AD), I would have kept it a home game.
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Maybe Dr.Brown was thinking that as well, Alcorn attendance hasnt exactly been great even in the few years they fielded a pretty decent teams...
 
“In the last 30 years of organizing Circle City Classic®, Indiana Black Expo, Inc. has never executed joint agreements. The practice is to negotiate with each school individually. As evidenced by the execution of the contracts, all parties are in accord with the terms of the Agreement. We look forward to a successful 30th Circle City Classic®.
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Some have said that they find it hard to believe that Brown didn't know what Grambling was getting from this game. Based on the statement above from the CEO, he probably didn't.
 
Now that the numbers are out there, the CCC will have a hard time finding takers for less than what grambling is getting.
 
Football wise- As long as we get the win and have the Doug Haters back mad at Doug, I'll be happy.

Financial wise- Alcorn's Administration is really, really, stupid for even moving this game. ALCORN IS IN MISSISSIPPI, NOT INDIANA.

BTW, I demand financial statements on all these "engagements" we've been sending Brown, Dr. Derek Greenfield, etc. Seems like they spend more time out of state than they do on Campus. Somebody has to be footing that bill.
 
SAME OLD G said:
Some have said that they find it hard to believe that Brown didn't know what Grambling was getting from this game. Based on the statement above from the CEO, he probably didn't.
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Don't Try To Put A Halo On Brown!!!!

WE HAD NO BUSINESS TRYING TO MOVE A HOME GAME AGAINST A SWAC OPPONENT IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!! GRAMBLING WAS LUCKY I WASN'T ATHLETIC DIRECTOR IN 1994 OR THAT GAME WOULD HAVE BEEN IN SPINKS REGARDLESS OF RATHER ROBINSON STADIUM WAS BRAND NEW OR NOT!!!!!

(not mad at you SOG or Grambling in General but the naiveness of Alcorn's Administration through the years)
 
SAME OLD G said:
Some have said that they find it hard to believe that Brown didn't know what Grambling was getting from this game. Based on the statement above from the CEO, he probably didn't.
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I know I'm "some"!!! And after reading this, I must say that all of our schools have been run by morons. As much money as Floyd Mayweather makes per fight, I'll bet the farm he ain't signing a contract without knowing what his opponent is making. I'm outdone!!!
 
I feel ya Rob... If I was the SWAC schools, I really would establish a policy of not moving a home game UNLESS I was guaranteed $75K above what I would make for a home game sellout. That would be my business model as an AD...focus on 5 home games and each one of them marketed/discounted/sponsored/strippers/whatever to have all of them as sell outs! Some classics I understand...but by focusing on home game sellouts we can demand a bigger guarantee from Promoters or simply keep playing home and home. Isn't that why we went to the 9 game anyway!
 
MikeBigg said:
I feel ya Rob... If I was the SWAC schools, I really would establish a policy of not moving a home game UNLESS I was guaranteed $75K above what I would make for a home game sellout. That would be my business model as an AD...focus on 5 home games and each one of them marketed/discounted/sponsored/strippers/whatever to have all of them as sell outs! Some classics I understand...but by focusing on home game sellouts we can demand a bigger guarantee from Promoters or simply keep playing home and home. Isn't that why we went to the 9 game anyway!
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Strippers??? :lol:
 



jstate83 said:
In the CCC, it is totally different on Alcorns part as for negotiations. THEY HAD A SECURED HOME GAME AGAINST YA'LL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS. They had the option to play hardball and tell the CCC, WE DON'T HAVE TO PLAY THIS GAME, and there would have been nothing Gram could have done. Alcorns excitement and short-sight cost them a lot of money.

.
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The point you all seem to miss is that while it was Alcorn's home game and GSU would have lost money (unless Alcorn agreed to pay their travel expense which I think some schools do), Alcorn STILL stood the chance of making less money than they will make from playing in the CCC. Alcorn had to worry about Alcorn. Why hate on GSU so hard that they hurt themselves? Sure, the GSU game might have drew a nice crowd but what if it didn't? GSU was like 1-10 last year and Alcorn still ain't good. What if it rains? If I was Alcorn's AD, I would base my budget on averaging about 8K fans. JSU nor SU comes to Lorman this year. They can't take chances on a sorry Alcorn team and a sorry GSU team drawing a crowd. Now, if this was Alcorn's season opener, I think it would be safer to assume that this game could draw 10-12K paying fans. I am not sure Alcorn has the ability to draw that kind of crowd on their own mid-season and it's not like GSU fans travel.
 
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BRAVEHEART123 said:
Don't Try To Put A Halo On Brown!!!!

WE HAD NO BUSINESS TRYING TO MOVE A HOME GAME AGAINST A SWAC OPPONENT IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!! )
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Yes, he did 'cause ya'll mofos ARE broke. Alcorn alums don't give and half the people who go to ya'll games go on the "hook up". You know people in Fayette and Port Gibson ain't buying tickets. :lol: Even if I go to an Alcorn game right NOW, I know how to walk in thru the gate where my people work. ...and everybody in Fayette and PG got a family member at the gate. :lol:
 
MikeBigg said:
I understand your role as a journalist...and it is to be commended! Yet as I read this, I thought back on the hoopla surrounding the contract for the first Port City Classic between Grambling and LaTech. The Grambling fans were in an uproar because of rumors that LaTech was receiving a larger payout than Grambling (we were the home team). We (Gramblinites) demanded to know the details and some bitched and moaned that Gram's then AD, Lin Dawson had sold us for chump change. After getting the info released via the media, it was revealed that LaTech was guaranteed 50% of the first $400K, but subsequent levels were broken down to give Grambling the largest share of any excess gate receipts, plus program sales, plus parking.

The Tech folk were LIVID and because of the uproar, it dimmed the interest of subsequent state schools. Sometimes we should remember the old country adage "Nothing ruins a duck but it's bill". Our fans tend to "quack" too much and give our positions away.
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The Grambling fans who were in an uproar were so because they don't know anything about business. The port city classic vs La Tech was the best FCS vs FBS deal of all time. Since the classification of subdivisions, there has never been a FCS team to be the home team over a FBS team. On top of that, Grambling kept the 100% of the sponsors money.

Alcorn is not the bigger name here and took a check that they wouldn't be able to make at home. SWAC fans thinking Alcorn made a bad decision are mistaken or just don't understand the game. Jay Hopson and Alcorn are headed in the right direction.
 
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