The University of Mississippi Athletics
ASK OLE MISS: Boone Answers Your Questions
9/23/2008 | Athletics
ASK OLE MISS provides Rebel fans interactive opportunities with some of the key figures in Ole Miss athletics. The latest installment features Director of Athletics Pete Boone. Questions were sent in by fans through OleMissSports.com over the past week, and Boone has addressed many of those in the following Q&A.
Q: You just signed a three-year deal with
Distance is really not much of an issue as much as who you play and
Q: Do we have a facilities plan for bowling in the north end zone with sky boxes similar to the south end zone?
The answer is no, and the reason would be not until the demand picks up. While we are sold out and do have a small waiting list for our club seats and suites, it’s not near enough for us to try to tackle a multi-million dollar project right now. There is some consideration being given for filling in the pie shapes and connecting the north end zone with the sideline seats to give it a more bowled in look. But we have not met with an architect yet concerning that.
Q: How satisfying is it to have the coaches that we have right now?
I’m extremely grateful that the coaches we have in place are here and want to be at Ole Miss. As I’ve said before, up and down the line, it’s as good a coaching staff that Ole Miss has ever had.
Q: You have overseen a lot of improvements in the facilities at Ole Miss. With the budget that you have to work with, how do you determine what program gets what in facilities, equipment, etc.?
The first thing we have to look at is whether or not the need is for a new facility or a renovated facility, then how are we going to pay for it. If in the case of football or now baseball we can generate enough revenue by way of club seats or season ticket holders that can pay for a facility and does not draw on other revenue sources that we use for operations of our programs, then obviously we can act on that particular facility faster. With regard to any other facility, I think we as administrative staff along with coaches sit down and prioritize what’s in the most need. We listen to the coaches, but we also have to look at cost and make sure we have the cash flow to cover the debt on those. With the football practice facility and the new basketball facility, donations from our boosters helped speed along the process. But the whole factor there is cash flow, either generated by donations, ticket sales, suites, etc., and those type projects will obviously get preferential treatment because you can manage those. As other facilities show need, by virtue of our coaches needs, as well as administration getting together and deciding, then we plan those out based on our cash flow availability.
Q: With the recent announcement of the long-term TV contracts the SEC secured with CBS and ESPN, what are the University's plans for the reported $10 to 15 million in additional yearly revenue we will receive?
It’s no where near that amount of additional revenue, but it will be substantial. Our staff has been meeting for three to four months putting together a strategic plan for the next seven years, and we will incorporate all of the needs that our programs require to compete for championships in the SEC and that will be prioritized. Another part of the strategic planning will be looking at our debt structure.
Q: Are there any plans for renovating and modernizing the interior and exterior of Tad Smith Coliseum?
We have no plans for the concourse area or the faade. That is really more of a University project than it is ours. But we will have completed a major renovation underneath the coliseum with our locker rooms, media area, etc. From an exterior standpoint, that is a major undertaking and will require more of a University effort than athletics.
Q: Why must we pay to listen to the radio broadcasts on the internet?
The rights for our broadcast were sold to TeleSouth, but even before that, Yahoo charged $5 a month for internet access to audio streaming so this is nothing new. But in order to keep our program going, this is one of those rights, the same as it is with television or radio rights or anything that has value to it. We are trying to maximize our value to keep our programs going at the highest level possible.
Q: Who has final approval of the athletics department budget?
The Chancellor.
Q: What kind of contract does Ole Miss have with Nike, and have we ever considered switching to a different company?
We have a five-year deal with Nike for $750,000 a year in apparel which is used by our sports programs. We entertained bids before this last renewal with Nike, and they were by far the best company with product lines that we needed as well as the benefits they afford Ole Miss Athletics.