There is a lot of negativity surrounding the location of the football championships at WKU because of scheduling and facilities. We have heard that sponsorship money is important to KHSAA's decision, and that WKU is the only venue that bid on hosting. Just for a frame or reference, I wondered just how much money those sponsorships really bring in to the coffers?

 

According to the most recently available 990 filing by KHSAA (Fiscal Year 6/30/15) the KHSAA received $117,000 from Rawlings, $55,000 from Russell Athletic and $50,000 from Houchens Industries.

 

That kind of money pays a lot of costs towards these games and just can't be dismissed. Would those entities still pledge that kind of financial support if the championships were moved away from WKU?

KHSAA 990 Fiscal Year 6_30_15.pdf

That $222,000 sponsorship money is almost as much as total revenue they receive from the football championships, $265,765.

 

 

The basketball state tournament brings in $1,369,174 in revenue.

In other words, Are they willing to be a "Master Sponsor" and have the games rotate or change venues on occasion???

That would probably be a hard sell for two of those sponsors. Aren't they located in BG? Russell Athletic could probably bend but I doubt Houchens would. What benefit with it bring them?

And Rawlings is owned by Russell.

And Rawlings is owned by Russell.

 

Gotcha. I did not know that.

The Rawlings money may go away, they stopped making football helmets, shoulder pads, and most other football accessories. Russell still makes uniforms etc

Houchens Industries is a Bowling Green business firmly rooted there and owned by its employees.

 

Russell Athletic (Rawlings) is part of Fruit of the Loom. If you come to BG down I-65 you pass World Fruit of the Loom Headquarters on the west side of 65 just before Exit 22.

 

It is HIGHLY unlikely that either of those would be as big a player, if at all, if the Championship games were pulled out of Bowling Green.

 

WKU's Stadium is the "Houchens Industries/L.T. Smith Stadium.

 

It's going to take a big increase by anyone else to beat out Bowling Green. That weekend is a big economic boost. My understanding is the last time it came up it wasn't close.

If the games are moved, who would the logical sponsors be?

The Rawlings money may go away, they stopped making football helmets, shoulder pads, and most other football accessories. Russell still makes uniforms etc

 

If Rawlings opts out, which I doubt, the Russell ante would increase by the same amount. They both are, via Fruit of the Loom, part of Berkshire-Hathaway.

Rawlings is not owned by Berkshire-Hathaway. It is owned by Newell brands. Spalding is owned by Berhshire-Hathaway who owns Russell, Fruit, etc...

Who were the sponsors when the games were in Louisville?

Rawlings is not owned by Berkshire-Hathaway. It is owned by Newell brands. Spalding is owned by Berhshire-Hathaway who owns Russell, Fruit, etc...

Right you are, I had a brain fart.

 

After KHSAA named Spalding the official ball (which was after the reporting period for this report) I wonder if the Rawlings sponsorship money dwindled? It will interesting to see the 6/30/16 report when it becomes available. With Spalding being a major sponsor, it strengthens the ties to Bowling Green even more.

I have never understood why companies want their name on everything. Like the "Russell Athletic Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl", are we going to buy more Russell clothing?? Probably not.

I have never understood why companies want their name on everything. Like the "Russell Athletic Commonwealth Gridiron Bowl", are we going to buy more Russell clothing?? Probably not.

 

Its all about brand familiarity. You may not go out and buy Russell clothing, but you see that name so many times that it ingrains into your mind. And if those signs, posters, screen pictures, etc. are constantly there, that's much more bang for the buck than one 30-second advertisement.