Thanks to the hard work of KEEL Radio’s Erin McCarty and others, more information about the Louisiana Rouxgaroux football team is now becoming public.
This data should be important to the Caddo Commission in deciding whether to fund $32,500 to the team this year.
Here is more poop:
1. The Shreveport Bossier Tourist Convention’s Sports Commission, which derives its income from the Shreveport Bossier hotel/motel tax, refused to fund any money to the team.
2. The pre-game and post-game team meals are provided by the Bossier restaurant near the Brookshires arena.
3. The Bossier Police Jury does NOT have an agenda item to fund the team.
4. The team has already played three of its scheduled seven home games.
5. The team has a salary cap of $6500 per game, which equates to approximately $200 per player.
6. Single game tickets are $44 and $22.
7. The Bossier City Council had no interest in providing any funding for the current season.
8. The team has a total of 35 players on its roster, and 25 players dress out for each game.
9. The team has 10 coaches.
Other information that the Caddo Commission should be provided includes the following:
a. How many complimentary tickets have been distributed for each of the three home games, including tickets given to elected officials and especially Caddo Commissioners
b. Was the team precluded from playing at Hirsch Coliseum this year because the prior team owners failed to pay rent for the facility last year
c. Are other arena teams subsidized by public entities in their locations, and is so, to what amount
d. Other than the New Orleans Saints, are any other sports teams in Louisiana that receive public funding
e. HAS THE CADDO COMMISSION FUNDED DIRECTLY, NOT TAX BENEFITS, TO ANY OTHER FOR PROFIT ENTITIES –a public records request is pending to get this information.
f. Why has a funding request NOT been made to the Shreveport City Council
g. Why is the funding request made now, part way through, the season.
This list could go on and on. Much like rotten fruit, the funding request smells more and more when exposed to sunshine.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.