Jafus (Thinker)
Well-Known Member
FAMU's TV deal in jeopardy
University's $7.5 million contract may be affectedUniversity's $7.5 million contract may be affected
By Heath A. Smith
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/living/education/higher_learning/7500977.htm
Frustrated by a perceived lack of cooperation from Florida A&M's athletic department and loss of revenue, Urban Broadcasting Company president Peggy Dodson has pulled the plug indefinitely on airing FAMU athletic events.
Dodson's power play could affect the five-year broadcasting contract FAMU has with UBC that is supposed to pay the university a total guarantee of $7.5 million.
Dodson claimed in a letter written to FAMU President Fred Gainous on Nov.30 that her company has lost a projected $1 million in profits because of the athletic department. That's on top of the estimated $1 million Dodson claimed UBC spent to broadcast six of FAMU's football games this past season.
"We are still willing to invest more money, but not under the present circumstances," Dodson wrote in the letter to Gainous. "The items in the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) must be carried out in order for us to move forward. They are just a restatement of what is already in the agreement, but we felt we needed to move to another level of understanding with the athletic department, as they seem totally confused and unwilling to assist UBC in any efforts to make this deal work," stated Dodson in her letter to Gainous.
Dodson said the MOU outlined the more pertinent points of the distribution agreement so that both sides would have a clearer understanding of their contractual responsibilities. The MOU was supposed to be signed by Dodson and FAMU interim athletic director J.R.E. Lee. Lee never signed the agreement.
Dodson's frustration with FAMU is in sharp contrast to the excitement she expressed when the deal was celebrated in June at Lee Hall in pep-rally fashion with the Marching 100 on hand. Dodson heralded the broadcasting deal as a first for a historically black college or university and the only one of its kind for a Division I program outside of Notre Dame's exclusive television contract with NBC.
Problems arose, however, in the first game UBC broadcast - FAMU's season opener against Alabama State on Aug. 30. Fans complained about the poor reception, forcing Dodson to eventually switch production companies. UBC then pulled out of broadcasting FAMU's Nov.1 game against Hampton when the venue changed from San Francisco, Calif., to Hampton, Va.
Despite those setbacks, FAMU's relationship with UBC appeared fine until Bethune-Cookman refused to agree to permit the Florida Classic to be broadcast without FAMU guaranteeing UBC's stated rights fee.
UBC, which is based in Harlem, N.Y., has a five-year distribution agreement to broadcast selected FAMU athletic events, including football and basketball games. FAMU is guaranteed $1.5 million annually under the agreement for a total of $7.5 million but could receive as much as $24million over the full life of the contract.
In her letter to Gainous, Dodson also stated that:
? She would file a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against FAMU if it exercised a clause in the agreement that allows either party to back out of the contract with a prior 30-day notice.
? The 30-day cancellation clause needed to be modified.
? FAMU already has been in breach of the contract on more than one occasion.
? Potential sponsorship and distribution deals are being held up because FAMU has not released it 2004 football schedule to UBC.
? She has not been able to assist FAMU in marketing the football program's move to Division I-A because "of the turmoil that has existed within the athletic department and the problems it has caused UBC."
In a response to Dodson dated Dec.10, Gainous wrote that he was "surprised by what appears to be a threatening and inflammatory tone" in her letter.
Gainous also stated that FAMU had the right not to modify the 30-day cancellation clause and that Dodson should disregard the memorandum of understanding.
Gainous also mentioned a previous letter he wrote to Dodson on Dec.3 requesting a first-quarter accounting statement of UBC revenue, which according to the distribution agreement should have been delivered to FAMU by Dec.1. Dodson said Monday that a statement was being prepared and she expected it to be delivered to FAMU this week.
Gainous was unavailable for comment Monday to discuss FAMU's strained relationship with UBC, but Love Collins, vice president for university development, said FAMU expects UBC to follow through on its commitments.
"She (Dodson) certainly is entitled to her opinion," Collins said. "We just look forward to her meeting her specific performances as required by the contract."
Lee, who was the original point man on working out the deal with UBC, did not return messages left by the Tallahassee Democrat on Monday.
Despite the strong statements and concerns Dodson expressed in her letter, she said she does not regret entering into the agreement and thinks that any issues can be resolved.
"I still have great excitement about the deal," Dodson said. "I knew the first year was going to be difficult, and I don't regret it. It still has the possibility to be a mega deal. We just need to clear up the problems and misunderstandings."
University's $7.5 million contract may be affectedUniversity's $7.5 million contract may be affected
By Heath A. Smith
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/living/education/higher_learning/7500977.htm
Frustrated by a perceived lack of cooperation from Florida A&M's athletic department and loss of revenue, Urban Broadcasting Company president Peggy Dodson has pulled the plug indefinitely on airing FAMU athletic events.
Dodson's power play could affect the five-year broadcasting contract FAMU has with UBC that is supposed to pay the university a total guarantee of $7.5 million.
Dodson claimed in a letter written to FAMU President Fred Gainous on Nov.30 that her company has lost a projected $1 million in profits because of the athletic department. That's on top of the estimated $1 million Dodson claimed UBC spent to broadcast six of FAMU's football games this past season.
"We are still willing to invest more money, but not under the present circumstances," Dodson wrote in the letter to Gainous. "The items in the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) must be carried out in order for us to move forward. They are just a restatement of what is already in the agreement, but we felt we needed to move to another level of understanding with the athletic department, as they seem totally confused and unwilling to assist UBC in any efforts to make this deal work," stated Dodson in her letter to Gainous.
Dodson said the MOU outlined the more pertinent points of the distribution agreement so that both sides would have a clearer understanding of their contractual responsibilities. The MOU was supposed to be signed by Dodson and FAMU interim athletic director J.R.E. Lee. Lee never signed the agreement.
Dodson's frustration with FAMU is in sharp contrast to the excitement she expressed when the deal was celebrated in June at Lee Hall in pep-rally fashion with the Marching 100 on hand. Dodson heralded the broadcasting deal as a first for a historically black college or university and the only one of its kind for a Division I program outside of Notre Dame's exclusive television contract with NBC.
Problems arose, however, in the first game UBC broadcast - FAMU's season opener against Alabama State on Aug. 30. Fans complained about the poor reception, forcing Dodson to eventually switch production companies. UBC then pulled out of broadcasting FAMU's Nov.1 game against Hampton when the venue changed from San Francisco, Calif., to Hampton, Va.
Despite those setbacks, FAMU's relationship with UBC appeared fine until Bethune-Cookman refused to agree to permit the Florida Classic to be broadcast without FAMU guaranteeing UBC's stated rights fee.
UBC, which is based in Harlem, N.Y., has a five-year distribution agreement to broadcast selected FAMU athletic events, including football and basketball games. FAMU is guaranteed $1.5 million annually under the agreement for a total of $7.5 million but could receive as much as $24million over the full life of the contract.
In her letter to Gainous, Dodson also stated that:
? She would file a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against FAMU if it exercised a clause in the agreement that allows either party to back out of the contract with a prior 30-day notice.
? The 30-day cancellation clause needed to be modified.
? FAMU already has been in breach of the contract on more than one occasion.
? Potential sponsorship and distribution deals are being held up because FAMU has not released it 2004 football schedule to UBC.
? She has not been able to assist FAMU in marketing the football program's move to Division I-A because "of the turmoil that has existed within the athletic department and the problems it has caused UBC."
In a response to Dodson dated Dec.10, Gainous wrote that he was "surprised by what appears to be a threatening and inflammatory tone" in her letter.
Gainous also stated that FAMU had the right not to modify the 30-day cancellation clause and that Dodson should disregard the memorandum of understanding.
Gainous also mentioned a previous letter he wrote to Dodson on Dec.3 requesting a first-quarter accounting statement of UBC revenue, which according to the distribution agreement should have been delivered to FAMU by Dec.1. Dodson said Monday that a statement was being prepared and she expected it to be delivered to FAMU this week.
Gainous was unavailable for comment Monday to discuss FAMU's strained relationship with UBC, but Love Collins, vice president for university development, said FAMU expects UBC to follow through on its commitments.
"She (Dodson) certainly is entitled to her opinion," Collins said. "We just look forward to her meeting her specific performances as required by the contract."
Lee, who was the original point man on working out the deal with UBC, did not return messages left by the Tallahassee Democrat on Monday.
Despite the strong statements and concerns Dodson expressed in her letter, she said she does not regret entering into the agreement and thinks that any issues can be resolved.
"I still have great excitement about the deal," Dodson said. "I knew the first year was going to be difficult, and I don't regret it. It still has the possibility to be a mega deal. We just need to clear up the problems and misunderstandings."
