Officials representing media personality and entrepreneur Steve Harvey say that a contract has been signed by the mogul and Alabama State University to help promote its annual Turkey Day Classic football game this fall, but some ASU officials insist that no formal contract exists.
The Montgomery Advertiser reports that officials at the university and some on the board of trustees say they are unaware of a formal contract between Harvey and the university, and that no such document has been forwarded for board approval.
“I’ve stayed out of things since I’m not chair anymore, but I think everyone was on the same page and it was advancing,” (former ASU Board Chair Locy) Baker said. “We never signed anything, as far as I know. But I think everyone pretty much agreed on the major points — and most of the minor ones.”
Harvey served as ASU’s commencement speaker last month and two months announced his partnership with the university, suggesting that his connection to the school would be an effort to increase engagement with the game, and to support boosting the school’s enrollment.
Harvey’s Montgomery-based business associate Greg Calhoun says that he is confused about the school’s denial, but says that Harvey’s intentions are good.
“I don’t know why ASU is saying there isn’t a contract, but I can tell you we want to be as transparent and open as we can possibly be, and we’ll tell you anything you want to know,” Calhoun said. “Steve is a good guy. I don’t want to see him get run off while he’s trying to help.”
