jdub27

I want to point out that how much "extra money" given back to UND at the end of the year is likely the issue. The REA can designate as much funds as they want to be held back before giving what is "leftover", meaning they can hold back more than what others think is fair or prudent for their own use, which isn't necessarily what is best for UND athletics as a whole. UND would like to control that stream of funds a little more from their end, which is more than a fair stance to take considering they are using the building less and have freed up more weekends for the REA to generate revenue from outside sources. UNDBIZ also made a good point in that the REA has not shared in the budget crunch that UND has (again, partially by design), but they have an opportunity to help out, since the REA exists for the betterment of UND athletics, and it appears they are taking an issue with that.

I was there this weekend and thought the bread was fine. Not as light as it previously was but I thought it was still good. YMMV though.

I believe this to be pretty accurate. The REA intentionally operates outside the UND budget for multiple reasons. Some are beneficial, some not as much, some in a gray area depending on a various factors. Extra money taken in is given back to UND at the end of the year, though they obviously keep a reserve account for upkeep and upgrades mostly at the board's discretion. I don't necessarily think any of the programs are being shortchanged because of the arrangement, however I think the athletic department as a whole has had to lean a bit more on institutional funds due to uncertainty and inconsistent dollar amounts coming back from the REA. There's probably an argument that some upgrades in the REA could have been money spent elsewhere (outside of private donations) which UND would be able to make the decision on with a different revenue split. I think some people are taking the issue a little too far on placing blame and claiming it is the reason for the downfall of other sports, though with how things were stirred up with a lot of unknown details that still haven't been made clear, that is bound to happen. My thought is there is some negotiations going on currently on issues that were previously signed off on with no second thought because the arrangement was working for both parties. UND now would like a little more control over funds and see them flow in a different way to help their budget.

While Ed had the final say, his voice was far from the only one heard. Again, they tried to please too many people.

My understanding is that the Supreme Court just shifted the burden to the state's, so any state that wants to have betting needs to set up their own regulations. Some have already made some steps and New Jersey is at the point where they could be up and running in a few weeks. So basically up to the ND legislature to make laws regarding it next time they meet.

People (including yourself if I remember correctly) have already complained about funds spent on the new nickname and logo and now your'e saying they didn't spend enough? Though I suppose being fluid in your position makes it easier to criticize.

Amazing SME has managed to keep the doors open let alone continue to pick up national contracts with some pretty impressive brands.

Not exactly sure how that could ever happen. UND had a master lease that keeps them in the building until they take ownership, they own the land the building sits on and unless there is significant subsidies, they are needed as a tenant to keep the lights on.

I mean, over 30 years, we are talking millions of dollars, which would go a long way. Not saying it's more than what UND maybe might possibly get in the future from the Engelstad's but KEM made it clear she has no ties to the school so there are no guarantees. And again, the contract is reviewed and renewed annually. With the current budget situation and UND using the REA less, I'm not sure why people think Kennedy is in the wrong for wanting to renegotiate it, especially when he said he was going to do exactly that.

Absolutely false. The article specifically stated she reached out to the Herald and requested a sit down interview. And what friends does she have at the Herald? She made it clear she doesn't have ties here.

Probably because UND wasn't having huge budget issues so there was no need to revisit it and everyone just signed off. A new contract is supposed to be signed every year.

The Betty is being repaid exactly as it should, which is through the revenue share of UND and the REA plus operating profits from other events. The revenue share is supposed to be revisited every year. There is a decade plus old article out there with Jody Hodgson saying exactly that if you don't believe it.

It's almost like the revenue split contract is reviewed and then renewed every year....it just hasn't changed for a for a while and now it's being brought up. Oh wait, that's exactly what is happening.

Also should point out that the usage agreement is supposed to be updated yearly on the revenue split, however it has been approved as-is for a significant period of time with no changes (if not since inception). I guess Kennedy asking for an update to that is causing the issues.

I guess it depends on which entity you want to look at (probably the first one) but these are the most recent board members/officers listed. UND Arena Services, Inc - Managing and providing stewardship and oversight services with respect to the ownership, operation and maintenance of athletic facilities for the benefit of the Unviersity of North Dakota Athletic Department, and engaging in any other charitable, educations, or scientific activity as permitted by IRC Section 501 (C)(3) Jeff Cooper, President Aron Anderson, Vice President Kris McGarry, Secretary/Treasurer Earl Strinder, Director Greg Gerloff, Director Robert Peabody, Director Alice Brekke, Director Michael Bergeron, CFO UND Sports Facilities, Inc - To operate and maintain a multipurpose sports and entertainment arena in Grand Forks, ND, primarily used for University of North Dakota athletics and activities Earl Strinden, President Aron Anderson, Secretary/Treasurer Alice Brekke, Vice President Jody Hodgson, General Manager Michael Bergeron, CFO RE Arena Inc - To manage a sports arena for the benefit of UND Sports Facilities, Inc Jody Hodgson, President Kris McGarry, Vice President Jeffrey Cooper, Treasurer Aron Anderson, Director Earl Strinden, Secretary Michael Bergeron, CFO

Two main points to make: The sports that use (used) the REA (MIH, WIH, MBB, WBB, VB) all made sense to include in the ticket revenue split since that is what is considered "rent". Obviously MIH carries the majority of that weight and subsidize some of the other users of the facility, which is fine. However the loss of WIH had minimal impact to ticket revenue stream that was split and has provided the REA with 5-6 extra weekends per year to book other events they didn't have prior and cut down on staffing costs, which they were losing money on due to lack of attendance at those events. UND is using the facility less overall. Renegotiating the contract because of that change is very logical. I'm not sure why football ticket revenue was ever included in the agreement, particularly when UND is billed separately for ticket administration services provided by the REA. There's absolutely no arguing the REA has been a net positive for UND. The relationship is intentionally convoluted, mainly for tax purposes and allowing the REA to do some things UND would not be able to. That being said, re-looking at how things have been operating isn't a bad thing and there are some changes that likely should be made.

Alabama would be in the exact same spot today if their nickname was the Hawks, Eagles, Bulldogs or whatever. They built the identity and popularity through success, not because their nickname or logo was original. The argument that UND can't be special or unique because they lost one nickname (that no one else had) and replaced it with another (that other have similar variations of) is a complete fallacy.

Both were stated goals. It appears the current arrangement is leaning much more towards one than the other. Clarification, the 52% is considered the "rent" for the facility. The REA also charges UND for ticket handling/box office management on a separate line item, which makes the part about football ticket revenue being included all the more controversial. There is a legitimate argument that some funds are being funneled away from football because of this.

Alabama's logo is either a script A or a goofy looking elephant and their nickname came from the color of mud on white football jerseys a century ago. Neither of those are the reasons for their success or popularity.

I never said the logo/nickname wasn't unique, I said it didn't give the fans some special power of being different from all the other millions of college sports fans. The identity is in the college, some of the most popular schools in the nation have no problem being at the top with what people would consider an unoriginal or bland nickname, because it's the school that makes the nickname what it is, not the other way around.

You seem to ignore that UND hockey is where it is because it got $100 million in a "welfare" gift. Prior to the REA, it wasn't exactly bringing home the bacon. That gift was for the betterment of UND athletics, not just UND hockey, which is what it has slowly morphed into.

The Fargodome was paid for by city sales tax and NDSU just rents the facility, the agreement would be similar to what UND has with the Alerus Center. Doubtful there is a revenue split on tickets, though there might be something in terms of suites or concessions but it will still not be comparable to UND/REA

Kennedy is a successful businessman and politician, both of which require negotiating skills and the latter, significant fundraising. That makes me question some of the accusations thrown at him, however also leads me to believe the REA didn't take kindly to the request to renegotiate the contract between the two.

Sounds like they did, multiple years before Kennedy was hired, outside of anything that was pledged during to the Spirit campaign. On top of that, you take a look at the Foundation pulling their UNLV donation, you start to wonder what more there is to the story. Regardless of her personal feelings, the mission of the REA is to support UND and its athletics and she sits on that board, so she has a duty to carry out that mission.

Still doesn't explain why she's calling the Herald, unprompted, for a sit down interview. If she could not care less about UND, why take the time to start what she knew was going to be a giant mess and drag everyone through the mud? If she doesn't care what anyone thinks, the easy answer is to just ignore Kennedy and quit giving money. This was set off for a reason.