POTENTIAL VIDEO BOARD PROJECT AT CUB STADIUM COULD GENERATE ‘SIGNIFICANT’ ADVERTISING REVENUE

  

The Brenham School Board heard details on Monday about how a possible project to put in a new video display board at Cub Stadium could bring in considerable advertising revenue for the school district.

Brenham ISD Communications Director Brooke Trahan informed the board about a prospective partnership with VCR Now to replace the stadium’s current scoreboard with a customizable LED board.  The video board would provide for new advertising opportunities that are estimated to generate tens – and potentially hundreds – of thousands of dollars annually.

Trahan said the district has been looking at every way possible to "shake the tree" and make the most of limited ways to make revenue while the need for that new funding grows.

Funding for the project would most likely come through a government capital loan, which Trahan said would allow the district to obtain funds for capital projects without affecting its day-to-day operating budget or fund balance.  She noted that the first payment on the board would not come until 18 months after signing the contract, which would allow the district plenty of time to secure funding.  Loan options range from 3, 5 and 7-year terms with rates of roughly 4.85 percent. 

Given the district’s current budget situation, Trahan said the revenue model would likely allocate funding to either replenish the fund balance or bolster the general budget.  Actual revenue generated will depend on the advertising packages and options approved by trustees, as well as the level of interest from local businesses.  Low-end expectations for revenue brought in annually – after the payment for the video board – is $70,000, with the high end being, according to Trahan, well over six figures.

Also of note is that through this partnership, the school board would retain autonomy to tailor advertising options to align with the community’s needs and preferences.  Some examples could include digital advertising on the physical scoreboard and the LED display, video commercials during football games, and in-game sponsors for first downs, touchdowns, instant replays, sacks and the player of the game.  Trustees would also hold discretion to determine the number of advertisers featured on the video board simultaneously.  Some slots could remain static for a specific price, while others could rotate. 

Representatives from VCR Now also spoke about the positive impact the video board could have on students, saying it would open up Cub Stadium to become a classroom of sorts for those interested in video production.

Trustee Kyle Hafner said he would not be on board with this project unless he felt the district could pay it off quickly and have it generate "significant" revenue.  After talking with local business leaders, he said he feels confident that could happen in three years. 

Acting Superintendent Clay Gillentine said there is no denying that the project would benefit students and fans, but it could also greatly help out the district’s bottom line.

The item was only for discussion, so no action was taken by the school board.  The next steps are to meet with local businesses and community partners to gauge their interest and better determine the overall viability of the project.  Those will come prior to any form of action or resolution by trustees.

Businesses that are interested in exploring advertising opportunities can reach out to the central office at 979-277-3700 or via email at ahatfield@brenhamk-12.net.  Once project details are finalized, the district will reach out to businesses that have expressed interest, been partners in the past, or have been suggested by the school board or administration.

Click here to view the full video board presentation from Monday's school board meeting.