Louisiana Rouxgaroux Owner Responds to Caddo Funding Request

The debate over a proposed Caddo Parish funding request for the Louisiana Rouxgaroux is not slowing down, and that is partly because a lot of people still have questions.

The Caddo Parish Commission advanced an ordinance this week that would open discussion about directing a little more than $32,000 to the for-profil arena football team, which now plays all of it's home games in Bossier City.

What Rouxgaroux Owner Says the Money Will be Used For

Rouxgaroux owner Keith Carter recently told KEEL News that the request for funding is not about covering team payroll or plugging business losses, but rather for marketing, youth outreach, school assemblies, camps, and tickets for kids. Especially students connected to Title 1 campuses.

Carter also said he would prefer that the money not be written directly to the team.  He would prefer it be directed toward ads or ticket access.

Carter insists that this is an economic development play.  He says arena football can bring in visitors, resulting in hotel room stays and local economy spending, while also giving local kids another sports option with which to connect.

Why Some Locals are Still not Convinced

But that doesn't mean skepticism has vanished.  Carter said he wasn't an owner in last year's team, but rather an investor. He told KEEL News that he also lost money when the previous operators allegedly failed to pay bills. Even so, that bitter history is still hanging over this conversation for many local people.

When asked if he would commit to paying old debts tied to the previous organizaton, Carter stopped short of making a blanket promise, but said he would look at claims and try to "bring them to light."

READ MORE: Residents Push Back Against Parish Funding for Football Team

Another question is about numbers. During the interview Carter was asked about the number of employees on the Rouxgaroux payroll.  A recent presentation to the Caddo Parish Commission claimed that there are 241.

Hear the entire interview HERE

Carter said that figure was "too strong."  But that figure included a mix of players, staff, game-day workers and referees, rather than 241 full-time employees.

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This is where the story sits right now. Carter is asking the public to judge the current plan on what it could become, not just on what happened before. Critics are asking why taxpayer  money should go to a private sports team at all. Both of those are fair questions, which Carter recognized, and that is why this issue is getting so much attention.