February 16, 2016
It’s a quid pro quo as old as Atlantic City: Provide a service, get paid.
In this case, the service is a positive national television plug for the city with an image problem.
The Miss America Organization and dick clark productions, which produces the pageant’s television broadcast, are seeking nearly $12 million over the next three years. Additionally, the production company would also promote Atlantic City during two other televised events it produces: New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and the Billboard Music Awards, both of which are broadcast on ABC, home of the Miss America broadcast.
The proposal, reported by The Press of Atlantic City, is under consideration Tuesday afternoon by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), the state agency largely responsible for reversing the shore city’s fading fortunes.
The authority would make annual payments of $3.5 million, $3.75 million and $4 million, respectively, to cover the pageant’s production costs, according to The Press, which obtained a copy of the agreement.
Additionally, the CRDA would also pay the Miss America Organization an additional $325,000 for other production costs and $311,000 for final settlement expenses.
In total, Miss America would receive about $11.9 million in state money over the three-year period.
If approved, the agreement would replace a recently expired three-year subsidy package of $7.3 million.
The pageant had left Atlantic City for eight years before returning in 2013 by the subsidy.
To read the whole report in The Press of Atlantic City, click here.
