Louisiana governor hints at LSU football being halted by budgetary issues
The state of Louisiana is having some budgetary issues.
So much so, that new Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the entire state about it on television Thursday evening.
While we’re not here to get into a political debate about how to solve it, we did notice that he mentioned the potential of LSU football being halted as a consequence, and that got our attention.
So, follow us down the line of thinking the Governor presented to the people of Louisiana, as he proposed a change in philosophy to avoid the worst-case scenario:
The LSU campus in Baton Rouge is supposedly set to run out of money by the end of April.
Edwards: The LSU campus in Baton Rouge, Health Sciences Center in Shreveport and LSU Eunice will run out of money after April 30. #lagov
— Gov. John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) February 12, 2016
And if the school closes down before the semester can be finished, students will presumably be issued incomplete grades. That would include football players.
https://twitter.com/DCMonteverde/status/697943377384439808
In conclusion, the lack of grades would make LSU players ineligible to play in the fall, which would leave the Tigers without a football team.
LSU beat writers were quick to point out a few facts that make this unlikely.
First, threatening to take away Tigers football, which is one of the most popular pastimes in the state, was likely an effort to get the attention of citizens more than it was a real possibility.
Edwards' no LSU football comment was the ultimate scare tactic, and the only dumb thing he said.
— Glenn Guilbeau (@SportBeatTweet) February 12, 2016
Next, it brought up the topic of what role LSU football played in the finances of the state.
Ross Dellenger reminded everyone that the football program is actually quite profitable and could sustain itself on its own:
Friendly reminder: #LSU football turned a profit of $57 million last year, and TAF gave LSU athletics $14M.https://t.co/7WK3AL0K74
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 12, 2016
Now, if they’ll just figure out a way to make sure these players stay in class, we’ll have a fantastic game between LSU and Wisconsin at Lambeau Field awaiting us in September.