LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine and finance staff described how the association selects championship venues, the distribution of ticket revenue, and the association’s revenue sources at a legislative subcommittee hearing.

Why it matters: gate receipts and hosting contracts fund the LHSAA and affect how much revenue flows back to schools, local economies and the association. Lawmakers asked whether venue selection is competitive and how much ticket revenue and concessions are retained by facilities.

Bonine said venues and local convention/visitors bureaus submit proposals and host facilities negotiate with the association and with outside marketing partners. He described an RFP‑style interaction with host cities and said recommendation of a venue goes to the LHSAA executive committee.

Assistant executive director Karen Hoyt and assistant executive director and CFO Michael Federico provided a breakdown: for many championship events the host facility receives 10 percent of ticket sales; some sports or venues have different arrangements that can reach 20 percent depending on the RFP. Federico said the LHSAA’s operating revenue is substantially covered by championship revenue and sponsorships; he noted the association’s reported operating budget and that sponsorships supply a meaningful portion of annual revenue.

Hoyt said host facilities keep concession revenue and local economic benefits accrue from hotel rooms and restaurants around the events. The LHSAA retains most ticket revenue under current agreements, but some venues — including the Superdome — have escalator clauses that return additional revenue to the association if certain thresholds are met.

Lawmakers asked for a sport‑by‑sport breakdown of ticket‑share agreements, concession splits and sponsorship income. Bonine and Federico told the committee they would provide those documents.