Governor sends Chief of Staff to aid in New Orleans Bayou Classic bid

In order to further assist the negotiating parties dealing with the Bayou Classic — Superdome renewal contract, Governor Mike Foster has sent his Chief of Staff Stephen Perry. Perry’s exclusive duty is to ensure that the Bayou Classic remains in New Orleans at the Louisiana Superdome.
“I am 100 percent optimistic that next year’s game will be played in Louisiana,” said Perry.
Perry also feels that high hotel rates are the main concern of the Bayou Classic coordinators. Due to the special event status of the Bayou Classic weekend, hotels tend to increase their rates.
“We think that in probably short order the next two or three weeks we can help them come to an agreement that will keep the Classic in New Orleans,” said Foster.
Another factor in negotiations is that Grambling and Southern, who currently receive $700,000 for the entire weekend, want more money from the weekend.
Houston is offering the use of the Reliant Stadium for only $35,000 total plus gate fees. Both schools currently pay $150,000 each for the use of the Superdome. Hotels in Houston will also have a $125 rate cap per night.
The deadline for a final decision is Friday, November 30.
So be on the lookout in the Southern DIGEST at www.southerndigest.com, for any information regarding the Bayou Classic. To participate in the DIGEST internet poll, go to www.southerndigest.com.
An internet poll from www.southerndigest.com asking readers about where the next Bayou Classic should be played at resulted in 46.1-percent stating that the game should remain in New Orleans, 35.5 – percent stated that the game should be moved to Houston, 10.6 – percent stated that the game should be moved to Shreveport, La. and 7.8 – percent stated that the game and committee should accept the bid for the game to be played in Orlando, Fla.