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Utah State and Maverik recently agreed to a naming rights deal for 21 years, but the financial details were not disclosed. The latter is why there was a hearing on Thursday with Utah State, Maverik and the Herald Journal News. The Herald News Journal wanted financial details of the contract reveled, and filed a GRAMA request to find those details.
There will be a more detailed post in the very near future as our own Parker Robertson was at the meeting and had conversations with people there. In the mean time here is a detailed play-by-play on Twitter.
We will start with what actually happened and it was announced that the state records committee rules that Utah State must release its contract with Maverik to the public. This is not over as Utah State will have 30 days to appeal this decision.
Here are the quick hits, and we start with a shameless plug.
I appreciate it and I know @MWCConnection does as well. https://t.co/2a4ptn1Zx9
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Just talked to USU's legal counsel and a Public relations expert (not sure on exact title). No talk about the review but they seemed relaxed
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
I am unsure if Maverik has a representative here. @HJNews has 3
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Bringing up how the stadium used to be named after Romney.
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
"We are fighting the principle this sets" - HJ news editor
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Hj News Editor is arguing government transparency saying not releasing documents will bring back "Good 'ol Boy system"
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
"Utah State wants to be in compliance with GRAMMA & Maverik has followed a they need to do by law. So further release would, in fact, be...
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
a violation of GRAMMA." -USU counsel
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
I missed his name but a BYU professor (and former reporter) was just sworn in as a witness for @HJNews
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Joel Cambell, BYU professor, leading the charge for @HJNews. Worked on GRAMMA law (disclosure). Speaking very quickly
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Board doesn't understand how this puts Maverik at a disadvantage in contact negotiations. Looking like numbers will be released.
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Maverik Citing deals made with UVU, Utah and USU not being forced to release
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Maverik DOES NOT want want the numbers released. Feels it will hurt them competitively in the market.
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
USU wants to keep Maverik happy b/c they believe they will lose future private contracts for fear of companies not wanting deals disclosed
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Over heard USU general counsel saying he believes the committee will make it public. He went on to say more but I did not hear
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Board member now advocating release would HURT the university and the public
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Phone died. Review committee is back in camera (private deliberations) quick update: vote to keep ENTIRE contract between Maverik & USU...
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Be redacted in considerations of commercial protections for Maverik. Looks like redacted documents will end up being released
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Be redacted in considerations of commercial protections for Maverik. Looks like redacted documents will end up being released
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Most likely ALL financial terms and "trade secrets" will be redacted on released documents.
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Wow. First motion comes back to make it FULLY public. No vote yet.
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
I personally feel there is not enough business minds on this board
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
The precedent set by keeping the records private seem to have the board wanting to error on the side of full release. No vote yet.
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
One of the supporters of redacted release voiced his support now for full release.
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Vote to release the documents FULLY to the public has passed 6-1.
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
When I asked Ryan Brady, USU counsel, about whether USU or Maverik would appeal he politely declined to comment. https://t.co/ABRGDdN2TB
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Another member of the USU group of reps told me the group will take the boards decision & review it before deciding their next steps.
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
The review boards biggest fear today was crating a precedent that would allow ALL government contracts to be fully private records.
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Position that I do not envy. They made their decision on what they believe to the publics best interest. If Maverik pulls out of the deal...
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
Because of loss of business confidentiality I believe it will do incredible amounts of harm to USU, Cache Valley, & the public interest.
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015
A summary of my feelings: https://t.co/TPSeMNAMTt
— Parker Robertson (@ParkerRob78) June 11, 2015