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John Archibald ‏@JohnArchibald · 4m4 minutes ago
Don't panic yet #freeuab. I don't think Watts is now in position to give a big FU to Bham's biggest names. (And bank accounts)

Finally some fresh air to breath. I hoped the banks and City government would step in and give Ray Watts a reality check. City could loss $50-$60 million a year if the football program is lost and the undergraduate side downsized 12-15,000 students in time. Nows the time to stop this slippery slope.

(05-27-2015 01:34 PM)hooverblazer Wrote:  John Archibald ‏@JohnArchibald · 4m4 minutes ago
Don't panic yet #freeuab. I don't think Watts is now in position to give a big FU to Bham's biggest names. (And bank accounts)

He already had to Jimmy Filler and the CEO of Buffalo Rock (whose name escapes me)

Jimmy Lee?

(05-27-2015 01:48 PM)rawright1987 Wrote:  Jimmy Lee?

Yeah. Jimmy Lee was the one who was going to personally pay for the entire cost of artificial turf on the practice field but was turned down by Finis St John. This, on top of letting Haase use his plane for recruiting. Watts and Co. completely thumbed their nose at him.

Strictly guessing, but with Johns flipping sides recently, could he bring any pressure to bear on Watts' would-be gig with the BBA?

He COULD do a lot of things. My understanding is that the fundraising impressed him - and I guess that leaves unspoken that Watts pretending that it didn't happen or is not real might hack him off.

(05-27-2015 01:52 PM)dixiehack Wrote:  Strictly guessing, but with Johns flipping sides recently, could he bring any pressure to bear on Watts' would-be gig with the BBA?

One would assume he is the key to getting the rest of the Birmingham business community on board. He can get the ear of folks like the CEOs of Alabama Power and Regions Bank. While Jimmy Filler and Co have money, there is a whole other level of businesspeople to be tapped in town.

Some real support from a Trustee would be a novel experience.

[/i]Im drinking Buffalo Rock products!

(05-27-2015 02:02 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  Some real support from a Trustee would be a novel experience.

Yeah. Something to the tune of $20 million sounds appropriate.

(05-27-2015 02:24 PM)TNBLAZERS Wrote:  [/i]Im drinking Buffalo Rock products!

Jimmy Lee gave me four books of tickets to this year's C-USA Basketball Tournament, VIP Parking Pass, 4 VIP Dining Passes, and 4 passes to the social at Iron City the Tuesday before the tournament. He's a great guy I'd say.

(05-27-2015 02:34 PM)rawright1987 Wrote:  

(05-27-2015 02:24 PM)TNBLAZERS Wrote:  [/i]Im drinking Buffalo Rock products!

Jimmy Lee gave me four books of tickets to this year's C-USA Basketball Tournament, VIP Parking Pass, 4 VIP Dining Passes, and 4 passes to the social at Iron City the Tuesday before the tournament. He's a great guy I'd say.

Damn! Lucky! That's awesome.

(05-27-2015 02:28 PM)blazers9911 Wrote:  

(05-27-2015 02:02 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  Some real support from a Trustee would be a novel experience.

Yeah. Something to the tune of $20 million sounds appropriate.

Since the Trustees support all three campuses equally ...

(05-27-2015 01:34 PM)hooverblazer Wrote:  John Archibald ‏@JohnArchibald · 4m4 minutes ago
Don't panic yet #freeuab. I don't think Watts is now in position to give a big FU to Bham's biggest names. (And bank accounts)

Intriguing, to say the least.

Nobody is talking but my bet is that some deep pocketed boosters and/or big Birmingham businessmen told Watts that whatever number he put out there was going to be covered, and if he ever wanted to see another dime from them he better change his tune stat.

Watts may think he's the smartest guy in the room, but money still talks.

That's exactly my thoughts, BD. I was perplexed as to why we didn't hear an update on fundraising yesterday to provide one last burst of momentum. The only thing I can deduce is that we didn't need to do that because we're in a good spot.

That's my read. This whole thing has gone down in the least transparent way possible. If Watts has truly taken this to the BoT it can only be because his resistance and objections have been overcome, either by sheer money or by money plus bareknuckles armtwisting. My money is on the latter.

Since everyone knows that this will be decided by Watts and the BoT has nothing to do with it, it was wise to keep things quiet so that the BoT was not embarrassed when they were forced to back down.

(05-30-2015 12:30 PM)FNblazer Wrote:  That's exactly my thoughts, BD. I was perplexed as to why we didn't hear an update on fundraising yesterday to provide one last burst of momentum. The only thing I can deduce is that we didn't need to do that because we're in a good spot.

How do you know something wasn't done? A little bird told me that were a couple of big boosters were observed on their way to visit the evil one yesterday evening. Not to get anyone's hopes up any higher, but one of the boosters was reported to have said that he thought (and I won't use his exact words here) we are in really good shape. Remember it isn't a done deal yet, given the lies which have already been told, it could yet go to hell in a hand basket.