Last week Roy S Johnson of Al.com told The Markcast that Fox Sports and the BJCC were hoping to have a deal finalized by late last week.
On Thursday, the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau board voted to make a $2 million commitment to support the USFL to Birmingham proposal. The deal is still $1.6 million short of its goal.
The $1.6 million is still needed to cover the cost of the game day staffing, equipment, and field labor, and other items for the 2022 USFL season. So who is going to come up with the rest of the funds needed to close the gap? According to CBS 42, it will likely come from the public sector.
“I think the remainder of the funding will come primarily from the public sector and maybe a little from the private sector, so it’s a combination of both with most of it being led by the public sector,” said Gene Hallman, president, and CEO of the Bruno Event Team.
“There are some incentives that come with the investment. Fox Sports estimates the overall economic impact of the league would be around $21 million for Birmingham.”
WBCR 6 has this to say about the USFL deal.
“Birmingham will be offered for free two 30 second commercials during the games to promote the area. So far, Jefferson County and Birmingham have not committed any funding to the project. “
This could be a make-or-break week for the USFL in Birmingham. Stay tuned to XFL News Hub for this ongoing story.
