Priorities Out of Control

Two stories last week seem to show where our priorities are focused not only as Louisianans, but the nation as a whole.  On the one hand we have learned that the city of New Orleans doesn’t have enough cash to meet its operating costs for the reminder of the year.  On the other hand, we have learned that LSU alumni will pony up about $53.3 million to fire, after just 8 weeks, its head football coach, Brian Kelly, who had been granted a ten year contract, a longer contract than that even offered to the president of LSU.

We were told that the New Orleans’ fiscal woes relate to the fact that they have incurred over $40 million in overtime costs and only budgeted $45,000 to cover such costs. Unexpected expenditures such as the New Year’s Day tragedy coupled with additional planned events including Mardi Gras, the Super Bowl, and the Taylor Swift concert pushed the overtime costs to new heights.  And the blatant incompetent budgeting error just further fueled the problem.

However, to put the LSU buyout in perspective, the money that LSU is paying, $53.3 million, without the blink of an eye, to further their quest for a football championship, would more than cover the fiscal problems of New Orleans for the remainder of the year.  And this payout by LSU was of such paramount importance that they even involved the governor of our state in their decision.  Additionally, I am sure we will never fully know the total cost of this buyout because some assistant coaches will also be owed money for early termination.

Sadly, this misplaced fiscal mentality is not just unique to LSU. They are joined this season by an elite group of college football teams, which in total, are on the hook for over $169 million.   These include the following:

•          LSU, $53.3 million
•          Penn State, $49.7 million
•          Florida, $21.2 million
•          OSU, $15 million
•          Arkansas, $9.8 million
•          UCLA, $6.43 million
•          VT, $6 million
•          Oregon State, $4 million
•          UAB, $2.4 million
•          Colorado State, $1.5 million

Again, to put all these buyouts into perspective, more than enough money to cover the projected New Orleans’ budget deficit of $160 million for the entire next year.   And just think how many people that money could feed who can’t afford 3 meals a day for their family.

So, there we have it, America’s love for a winning college football team, no matter what the cost.