Miss America receives $12.5 million state subsidy
Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell competes in the evening gown competition. Sunday September 13 2015 Miss America 2016 final night, Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ. (The Press of Atlantic City / Dale Gerhard)
Posted: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 5:45 am
Miss America is not a cheap date.
The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority approved a subsidy of up to $12.5 million Tuesday to keep Miss America in Atlantic City for three more competitions.
In addition to telecasting the competitions on ABC or another major television network, the show’s producer, dick clark productions, must promote Atlantic City during the company’s other major broadcasts: New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and the Billboard Music Awards.
“We felt confident that we would get more than our money’s worth having Miss America promoted on these other occasions,” CRDA Executive Director John Palmieri said Tuesday during the agency's monthly board meeting.
A $7.3 million state subsidy that bankrolled three shows expired in 2015.
The new contract entitles the Miss America Organization to $11.25 million for holding its next three competitions in Atlantic City, where the show began in the 1920s.
The CRDA, which spends tax dollars generated from Atlantic City's casinos, will also give the organization $325,000 to cover logistical expenses for each show, including meals for contestants and staff and a “Post-Crowning VIP party.” That’s on top of a one-time $311,000 payment the CRDA will make to cover expenses from past competitions and up to $175,000 per year to cover the costs of rigging Boardwalk Hall, which will host the shows.
The contract requires dick clark productions to, among other things, mention Atlantic City when Miss America presents an award at the Billboard Music Awards. It also says the company’s New Year’s Eve telecast must incorporate “a live remote performance occurring in Atlantic City.”
Proponents of the deal say it secures high-profile, positive publicity for Atlantic City at a time when it's urgently needed. The city’s non-profit marketing arm, the Atlantic City Alliance, operates on a nominal level only. The ACA is expected to be formally disbanded soon, with its funding diverted to pay down city debt.
The board approved the Miss America contract by a 10-2 vote.
Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian voted for the contract.
Resorts Casino Hotel CEO Mark Giannantonio voted against it. So did Atlantic County Chief of Staff Howard Kyle.
Edward Gant, business manager for IBEW Local 351, abstained.
Kyle said the subsidy, from a marketing standpoint, "doesn’t make sense.” “I think we need a more comprehensive approach."
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/miss-america-receives-million-state-subsidy/article_9456a41e-d4eb-11e5-be68-4f8b7d494193.html
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