Since 1940 the Magic City Classic—the annual football battle between state rivals Alabama State and Alabama A&M, and Birmingham’s fam reunion—has made its home in Birmingham, at Legion Field, generating an economic impact on the region estimated to be at least $20 million. While the City of Birmingham makes a significant financial contribution each year to support what is the largest annual fundraiser for the two historically Black institutions, the Jefferson County Commission has pretty much kept its wallet shut, even though the county clearly benefits, too, from the thousands of visitors that descend upon the region.

That may soon change.

On Tuesday, during its work session, the commission is slated to discuss a commitment of several hundred thousand dollars to the 2023 classic.

An item on the agenda seeks approval of $750,000 to the Alabama Sports Council (ASC) to “market Jefferson County at the Magic City Classic, contingent on signed agreement being received from contractor and completion of [the] contract review process by County Attorney”.

The ASC is the non-profit through which the Bruno Event Team manages the Classic. BET generates revenue through sponsorships and ticket sales.

In 2019, the commission granted $200,000 to the Classic. Last year, Commissioners Sheila Tyson and LeShunda Scales contributed a combined $150,000 from their respective discretionary funds.

That amount will likely be vigorously debated among the five commissioners and could be amended before a vote is taken.

“I feel that it has support, but maybe a lesser amount,” said commission Jimmie Stephens.

Tyson would like each school to receive $400,000 from the county. “I’m going to ask for it,” she said. “I doubt we can get it.”

Last month, the Birmingham City Council approved Mayor Randall Woodfin’s proposal for a new four-year agreement paying $500,000 annually to each institution through 2026. Prior payouts were: $212,500 (2018), $325,000 (2019), $350,000 (2020), $375,000 (2021), and $400,000 (2022).

Adding a contribution by the county is spurred by a desire by the two institutions to raise the overall amount each receives to more than $1 million. Here’s their historical payoff per school:

2016: $539,408

2017: $531,731

2018: $578,913

2019: $636,686

2021: $415,364 (2020 game pushed to Spring due to COVID-19)

2021: $752,000

2022: $784.000

At a minimum, the commission is likely to approve a contribution of at least $400,000 total–$200,000 per school. “[BET President Gene] Hallman said the schools could get what they want with $400,000 [total],” Tyson said. “That’s the only reason I’m looking at [that amount]. I didn’t say I was going to go for it. I’m gonna look at it. I’m gonna look at what Gene said he can do and I’m gonna look at what we have on the agenda. I don’t know where I’m gonna vote for.”

RELATED:Alabama State, Alabama A&M presidents reach consensus on Magic City Classic future

The commission’s discussion about the Classic was spurred during the February 7 work session when Commissioner Steve Ammons proposed a resolution offering $300,000 to support a bid to attract Transplant Games of America, a multi-sport competition comprising transplant recipients, donors, people on the waiting list, caregivers and transplant professionals, to Birmingham in 2024.

Sitting next to Ammons, Tyson looked incredulous when she heard the amount. “Three hundred thousand dollars?” she asked, then paused.

“We gave to the Police and Fire Games,” he continued. “We give to [UAB] football,…”

“They all serve the same purpose,” Stephens interjected. “They bring people into Jefferson County, they sped money and it brings us tax dollars to do what we do.”

“Right,” Tyson said. “But when we ask for money for the Classic we can’t get a dime. That’s all I’m saying. Do the same thing, [it brings] in more money than all these put together. I’m gonna bring a packet up here for the Classic…

“I’m working on that,” said Scales.

“I’m working on it too,” Tyson continued. “It’s a slap in the face to the citizens of Jefferson County to keep funding this stuff that don’t bring in nowhere close to the revenue that the Classic brings in. I’m for organ donors; I’m for all that. I’m just saying that if you’re gonna do all this, there’s no reason—there’s not one reason—why you would not fund the Classic at the same capacity. Give them what you’re doing to give [the Transplant Games].”

“There are some discussions being had,” Scales added. “Universal support is probably on its way.”

Scales has not yet responded to AL.com seeking comment about Tuesday’s discussion.

“We’ve got to take every opportunity when we’re at the table to make sure we stand by our people and we do it right,” Tyson said. “We can’t be playing checkers with people’s futures because those schools need that money to build a future for families. It’s a fundraiser, it’s not a game. This is raising money for these kids and their future. We’ve got to treat it like that when we’re at the table negotiating.”