Birmingham officials are finalizing agreements to bring Fox Sports’ United States Football League (USFL) to Alabama’s Magic City.
Within the past month, local leadership held discussions debating the appropriate amount of funding to contribute toward the proposal to offset expenses that will be absorbed by way of Protective Stadium serving as the league’s main venue.
The Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) originally estimated the costs it would incur due to Protective Stadium hosting a majority of league activity would be $3.7 million. However, the BJCC had modified that figure to account for additional revenue which lowered the amount needed to support stadium overhead.
According to the BJCC, stakeholders have now identified all necessary sources of funding to advance the opportunity that stands before Birmingham.
The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) last month approved $2 million to be contributed toward BJCC’s projected costs. Additionally, both the Birmingham City Council and Jefferson County Commission have committed to appropriating $500,000 to the BJCC, which will likely meet final approval in the coming days.
As the deal inches closer to completion, those involved in the rigorous process of ensuring its fulfillment are reflecting on the growth opportunity which they contend will derive from it.
State Sen. Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills), an integral player in galvanizing support for the proposal, hailed the role Birmingham will play in becoming the USFL’s host city as a “gamechanger.”
“I think attracting this team and this league to Birmingham, Alabama is really a gamechanger for our community and this part of the state – and really the state,” Waggoner told Yellowhammer News. “We’ve accomplished it and it’s coming our way. This community needs to be real proud of what’s coming to Protective Stadium and to Birmingham, Alabama and to this state. It’s going to mean a lot.”
The senator went on to praise local governmental entities which played a role in seeing that the deal came to fruition. He specifically noted the work conducted by Michael Davis, head of government relations for Balch & Bingham, the firm representing Fox Sports.
In touting what the USFL deal means for the area, Birmingham City Councilman Hunter Williams asserted that the city and region will experience vast benefits from the undertaking.
“Sports and other tourism are an important part of economic development for Birmingham and Jefferson County,” stated Williams. “They create jobs and have a positive impact on our hotels, restaurants, retail stores, and many other businesses throughout the area.”
The $200 million investment into Protective Stadium is already proving beneficial to the city’s growth, according to the councilman.
“Birmingham is on the move,” Williams declared. “Our investments in quality facilities are already paying off. We look forward to continuing to grow our city and our region through sporting events and tourism which will grow our economy and provide quality venues and entertainment for our citizens.”
The council on Tuesday will entertain a resolution to approve the $500,000 it had pledged to the BJCC.
Yellowhammer News spoke with Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight, chairman of the county’s finance committee, who touched on the unique broadcast opportunity Fox Sports has in store for the league.
“It gives us the exposure around the country,” Knight told Yellowhammer News. “You couple that with the World Games coming – I just think it’s a great day for Birmingham [and] Jefferson County to expose us nationally. We’re on the move here. We’re not sitting back.”
According to Knight, the county’s $500,000 commitment will reach committee on Tuesday and will head to final approval on Thursday.
“I think it’s an opportunity to showcase Birmingham, showcase Jefferson County, showcase who we are and where we’re going,” Knight proclaimed.
The BJCC recently stated that it expects a formal announcement on the deal’s finalization soon.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
