Senior Bowl flap was result of economy, Ladd conditions

Sunday, November 01, 2009

By VICTOR H. LOTT JR.

Special to the Press-Register

The purpose of this essay is to, once and for all, set the record straight and present the facts concerning the recent controversy regarding the Senior Bowl.

For a number of reasons, the environment surrounding this event has been fraught with rumors, misinformation and mistruths. For whatever part our organization may have played in creating such, we sincerely apologize.

We have taken steps internally to ensure that our communications to the media and the public are more timely.

Now for the facts.

First of all, it is the goal of the Mobile Arts and Sports Association Inc., which owns the rights to the game, that the Senior Bowl be hosted in Mobile on a successful basis. Our success is measured by not only con ducting a first-class national sporting event, but generating enough revenue in order to distribute funds to local charitable organizations.

Second, we at MASA believe that it was our responsibility as trustees to weigh the economic difficulties with staying in Mobile vs. moving to another, larger city where we might flourish.

The prospect of the Senior Bowl declining in quality be cause of insufficient revenues in Mobile is a lose-lose proposition for everybody, including our community and our charitable beneficiaries. Should it be successful elsewhere, at least a large portion of the revenues generated would continue to be returned to Mobile charities (millions of dollars annually).

MASA is charged with the promotion of arts, civic, cultural and recreational events in the Mobile area. This, obviously, would not be possible without generating significant profits each year.

Again, it is our overwhelming desire for the Senior Bowl to remain in Mobile on a successful basis. And while we do not speak for the city of Mobile officials or the Ladd-Peebles Stadium Board, we are certain this is their position as well.

One might ask that since the three local entities involved all have the same goal in regard to the Senior Bowl, why the controversy?

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