FAMU AD rejects Orange Blossom Classic renewal contract, ending long standing partnership

After a 43-year hiatus, the Orange Blossom Classic made its return in 2021 with Florida A&M and Jackson State playing in the season opening game at Hard Rock Stadium.

Now, two years after its reestablishment, the same game versus Jackson State will mark FAMU’s final participation in the classic on Sep. 3, at least for the next three years, after FAMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes rejected the OBC’s $1.475 million offer.

The OBC submitted a three-year contract to pay the Rattlers $450,000 in 2024, $500,000 in 2025, and $525,000 in 2026. Kendra Bulluck-Major, executive director of the Orange Blossom Classic, said in an interview with the Miami Herald that because the contract hasn’t been signed, FAMU hasn’t indicated that it’s willing to proceed.

“She did express that there may be some consideration in the future, however, they were moving in a different direction,” Bulluck-Major said. “So, of course we do feel it is unfortunate, given the history of the Orange Blossom Classic and how FAMU played such an integral part of that original classic.

She added: “This revival took many, many years to bring back. So, with FAMU being the staple as we know it, it was very shocking… We think that it is a disservice as it relates to the student athletes, the recruiting opportunities, [and] the national exposure that FAMU receives by playing in this game. We are actually the only game right now that FAMU has that will be broadcast on the major ESPN network.”

In an interview with HBCU Gameday, Sykes said that playing in the game would have an impact on FAMU’s partnerships and might perhaps hinder the growth of the Investing in Champions project, which consists of eight different packages that FAMU fans can pick from to purchase tickets for the upcoming football season.

Some of the cheaper packages include tickets to the 2023 OBC and north endzone seats while some of the more expensive packages include Florida Classic lounge tickets as well as parking passes and courtside basketball season tickets.

According to Sykes, FAMU has “a responsibility to their season ticket holders, Investing in Champions members, and local partners to bring a minimum of five to six home games to Tallahassee annually.” If FAMU were to participate in the Orange Blossom Classic in 2024, Bragg Memorial Stadium would be a ghost town for the entire first half of the season.

“Our local government invested $10 million dollars for us to renovate our stadium, which was on the brink of being condemned,” Sykes said. “As good stewards of that investment and any possible future investments from them, we must be diligent in showing that we are good partners. For our season ticket holders to buy season tickets and parking and other amenities and not be able to use any of them until week six, is not fair to our current investors and makes it difficult to cultivate new investors.”

Her decision to end FAMU’s relationship with the OBC has also generated some public debate, particularly after she decided to also increase the prices of the Investing in Champions packages.

An in-depth examination of the products related with the earlier price reductions on the packages revealed that the two most popular packages had lost money, according to Sykes, necessitating an adjustment in pricing on the part of FAMU.

“You can’t buy a gallon of gas for the same price as previously,” Sykes said. “As much as we would love to offer the same pricing offered in previous years for packages, it is fiscally irresponsible to do so.”

Dwight Bullard, a senior political advisor for a state-based non profit, attended FAMU from 1995-99 and has gone to all of the previous OBCs.

The longtime fan was disappointed by the choice, but sees it as a chance for other HBCUs to gain attention.

“As a fan, selfishly, yes, you’re a little disappointed,” Bullard said. “But, at the same time, now that the OBC has been established, I’m also a fan of HBCUs. And so if that now opens up an opportunity for other HBCUs to come down to South Florida, I view that as a real opportunity.”

Bulluck-Major’s message to the public is that they should not be concerned about the future of the OBC as they plan to continue holding the annual game, despite FAMU’s absence, in an effort to maintain their support for other HBCUs around the country.

“As it relates to the Orange Blossom Classic, our mission is to assist all HBCUs. As far as the future of the Orange Blossom Classic stands, we will continue with the game,” Bullock-Major said. “Nevertheless, in speaking with my stakeholders, my board, sponsors and partners, they are committed to moving forward and will be committed to helping all HBCUs that understand the value that this game brings.”