College football head coaches will do just about anything to get a recruiting advantage — from hosting a star-studded National Signing Day event to sleepovers or even the good old-fashioned hand-out (we assume).
New Georgia head coach decided to get one of Atlanta’s favorite sons involved in his first spring game. Kirby Smart pulled out the Ludacris card, getting the ATL rapper to perform at last weekend’s spring game in Athens.
All it apparently cost the program was $65,000 and some ludicrous add-ons.
For the record, Ludacris performed for approximately fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes for $65,000 of Georgia athletic department money.
For Georgia’s part, it was in between a rock and hard place after previously stating there would be a pre-game act and not being able to finalize one in the weeks and days leading up to the show. That’s apparently when Ludacris had his representation reach out to UGA athletic director Greg McGarity.
Ludacris came through, but he also came with the crazy rider one would expect from the hip-hop star. There were the usual requests for liquor and condoms (Trojan Magnums, of course). The rest, however, is just an insanely detailed list of “what in the possible hell could this be needed for?” according to the Macon Telegraph.
In Ludacris’ dressing room for the event, Georgia provided a multitude of items ranging from assorted snacks, six Hanes t-shirts, vodka, cognac, wine, tequila and batteries.
His crew also got the royal treatment as well with a very specific menu of foods to nourish them after doing…whatever it is they did.
In the accompanying hospitality rider, Georgia either provided dinner for at least 10 people or paid $40 per person for a meal instead. If dinner was served, this included grilled chicken breast, wheat pasta, steamed brown rice and vegetables, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, two fresh fruit trays, a salad bowl and two platters of drumette style wings.
Not a bad day at the annual G-Day game for Ludacris and his buddies, but also a great example of just how ridiculous things have gotten in the name of finding and keeping the best talent in the world of college athletics.
Will Ludacris’ 15 minutes on stage be the difference between a commitment or not? Whatever makes the coaching staff feel better about their chances in this crazy world of college football recruiting.
