Commission advances $32,500 economic-development request for Louisiana Rugeroos after debate over regional benefit and oversight

The Caddo Parish Commission advanced ordinance 6612 on March 16, a budget amendment to the Economic Development Fund that would appropriate $32,500 to support the Louisiana Rugeroos arena-football team. The motion to advance the ordinance passed with 11 commissioners in favor and one opposed; the item remains at the advancement stage for final consideration at a later meeting.

Commissioner Gage Watts introduced the request and yielded time to former Commissioner Lyndon B. Johnson and team representatives, who said the money would be used primarily for marketing and community outreach, including Title I student programs and school visits. "We want to bring more Title I students in there so they can see that if they don't make it to the NFL, there's other hope that's out there," Lyndon B. Johnson said.

Quarterback Taz Wilson and defensive coach/player Keonte Chavez described the Rugeroos as a regional professional arena team that travels and draws players nationally. "I've been out in this community since Tuesday," Wilson said, emphasizing plans for youth camps and local outreach. Chavez said team members coach locally and want to create visible pathways for young athletes.

Opposition and questions focused on three topics: (1) use of public dollars for a for-profit entity, (2) the fact that the Rugeroos’ home games are played in a neighboring jurisdiction (Bossier Parish) and (3) financial and ownership history. Commissioner Atkins said he had “a hard time with the for-profit piece” and announced he would vote no on the appropriation. Other commissioners asked administration to provide audited financials or equivalent due diligence and to examine whether previous local sports teams had received similar funding.

Administration representatives said the county typically evaluates economic-impact estimates (the document provided to commissioners estimated roughly $381,667 in business sales related to the team’s activity) and that marketing and community programs are eligible under the parish’s economic-development criteria so long as the parish receives an appropriate return. Administrator Bryant said lodging, food and retail spending by players and visiting fans are the primary channels through which Caddo Parish benefits even when an event takes place across the river.

After more than an hour of questions and comment, commissioners voted to advance ordinance 6612 for introduction rather than make a final appropriation. The motion carried with 11 in favor and one opposed; commissioners requested additional documentation before a final vote, including audited or verifiable financial statements, clarification of current ownership versus prior incarnations of the team and a clearer accounting of how local lodging and retail spending will return to Caddo Parish residents.

Next steps: administration will gather requested financial information, provide a follow-up economic-impact analysis tied to projected parish tax receipts, and return the item for final consideration.