Let me say this.............
znspr8502
It seems that we're getting off on the wrong foot about this whole issue. So, let me put it this way:
As far as the question about where next year's game will be played; my argument has been, to play the game wherever it can make the most money. Now being that it's Southern's game, it would seem that I'm in favor of any move or deal that would make money for Southern. So this isn't a JSU/SU issue. My argument is strictly about the money. Play the game where it makes the most money......My feeling is that you make more money, when you can put more people in the stands. Therefore, play the game where more people can see it. The Stadium in Jackson (with all it's faults) is larger than Mumford. My contention has been, that Jackson may be a viable option for playing the game. More people can see the game in Jackson, than in Baton Rouge. And if LSU's stadium is available and is cost-effective for Southern, then so be it. Play at LSU. If the Superdome is another option, and is also economically feasible(and we don't get raped by the hotels), then play in New Orleans. So be it also. My whole point was, considering Jackson, LSU, and the Superdome, that Jackson might be the best option. But it's Southern's game, so they'll do whatever they want. But they've looked into playing in Jackson already. Don't know how it'll turn out. It hasn't been annouced.
As far as the comment about making the game a Classic. My point has been that if the game is already a success (and it is), then why mess with it? Let's say the game draws 55,000 next year. And tickets are $25.00. That's $1,375,000.00 off ticket sales. Now after you pay a few bills, you keep what's left. By having a promoter, schools only get what's promised. And that's going to always be less than what's left(unless there's a small crowd, and that's unlikely). Because promoters promote in order to make a profit. Let's say that a promoter handled the game, and guaranteed $200,000.00 for each school. That's $400,000.00 in payoffs. He'd still start with the original 1.375-mil, and subtract his expenses, and recoup his overhead, and pay the schools. He then gets what's left. And it's that 'what's left' I've been arguing against. Why should we agree to give somebody else the 'what's left' when we could've kept it. That's all I've been saying. I don't think Classics work, when the game is already a big success. Now, would a JSU/SU Classic make money? Yes...Definitely... Would it make more money than it does now? I doubt it... You'd have to add a whole lot to it.
And as far as finding a sponsor goes; what's in it for the sponsor? If his guarantee is equal to the payout otherwise, than how does he profit from it? He may make a little in advertising, but if you underwrite an event, and it costs $500,000.00, and you make $550,000.00, then you're losing money. And seemingly wasting time. Businesses are going to want a larger profit margin. I just don't see them making a whole lot more money than the game generates now. Now maybe moving the game to another part of the country(where a different group of people can see it) might generate some of that, but as long as it stays between Mississippi and Louisiana, you aren't going to draw outside your 'core' audience. And that core audience is packing the stands. So why move it?
And I am old enough to remember ESPN showing black college football(back in the day, before they started showing all of div 1-A). All I'm saying is that in the last few years, television contracts have become an increasingly larger part of overall college football revenue. And networks are lining up trying to make deals to broadcast games. And 1-A football is what's king. Those conferences aren't going out looking for broadcast deals, the networks and coming to them. And while I think that we can get to the level where we get television coverage on a regular basis, I don't think we're there yet. I think that individually, some schools are there, but collectively we(as a conference) aren't. I think we need to keep working towards raising the level of play, in order to make us (as a conference) more marketable to the networks. I'm sure that today, Friday 12/14, Southern, Grambling, and Jackson State, could probably get broadcast committments. The schools are well-know, and traditionally have good teams, and have big fan followings. They also have name recognition. But what about the other seven SWAC schools? Do we wanna leave them out? We can, if that's what we want to. But I don't think we would.
So to answer your question about can we or can't we, my answer is yes...and no... Yes, we can, but maybe no.. not right now, today. But we need to keep on marketing our conference, and capitalizing on opportunities to make money. I don't think any of our schools have Alumni giving 10s of millions of dollars each year, so we have to grow our schools and programs from the ground up. And that's what we've always done.
But anyway, wherever Southern wants to play JState is fine with me. I'd just ask that if we play at Mumford, can we have a few more Porta Potties for the End Zone crowd. When we went down there in '96, we sat in the end zone and there were two. And they were 'full' by the end of the 1st quarter. It wasn't pretty......
WELL DAYUM. I don't remember seeing a lot of J-Staters in the crush with us. Now you know that really is MESSED up! Memorial Stadium makes EVERYBODY come in on the visitors side and use one gate???????? Why? Why don't you complain about that? Hell we will pay an extra $2.00 per ticket to get all the gates open. Dayum, you have to enter on the visitors side and then walk around? Hard to believe, but if you say so it must be true. That doesn't bother you? What? Why? Dayum you guys should stand up on this issue. Open the friggin' gates, all gates on both sides. Robber, come on, get in on this issue and help the AD put that in the lease contract.