Mayor Steven L. Reed announced on his podcast that the Morehouse–Tuskegee Classic will move to Montgomery in October and called for safeguards if Alabama adopts high‑school NIL rules.

Reed told listeners, "we just announced the Morehouse Tuskegee classic with moving here to Montgomery in October. It's gonna be a doubleheader" and added that the games will fall on the same day as Alabama State University's homecoming, creating what he called "a whole HBCU weekend like no other city has had before." The announcement was made on the Mayors' Take podcast during a wide‑ranging interview about local events and youth athletics.

Why it matters: the mayor framed the weekend as both a cultural draw and an economic opportunity for Montgomery, urging residents to plan hotel reservations as local lodging is expected to fill. Reed also used the interview to weigh in on state policy debates over NIL (name, image and likeness) payments for high‑school athletes, calling for education requirements and mechanisms to direct some proceeds back to schools.

On NIL and under‑18 athletes, Reed said the question of compensation must be balanced with education and community needs. "I don't have a problem with it as long as they have proper education, and there could be a percentage that goes back into the school," he said. He recommended safeguards for minors, such as trusts or stipends that vest when students reach college age, rather than unrestricted payments to adolescents.

Reed described his approach as cautious: "I'm a little old school when it when it comes to, you know, sports," and warned that unfettered NIL deals at the high‑school level could widen gaps between well‑funded programs and neighborhood schools. He said that if boosters or private schools begin paying high‑school athletes, it could spur bidding wars that harm community programs and exacerbate inequities.

The mayor also tied the conversation to broader efforts to keep talent in Montgomery and to strengthen HBCUs. Reed, who said he and his wife attended HBCUs and that his daughter went to Howard University, argued HBCUs offer cultural and community value beyond physical campus amenities and said the city should work to "keep some of that talent here." He suggested that revenue from high‑profile events could be harnessed to benefit local schools and programming.

The podcast segment was a mayoral announcement and policy commentary; it did not include a formal city council motion, vote or binding directive. Reed framed his NIL suggestions as recommendations rather than announced city policy or state‑level legislation he controls.

Looking ahead, Reed urged residents and families to plan for the October HBCU weekend and said he wants Montgomery to capitalize on the events while protecting student athletes with education‑first safeguards.