Jacksonville misses out on 2016/17 playoffs

[Tacachale]

^At least among locals who buy into the inferiority complex that is the city's greatest curse.

[spuwho]

Does Tampa have a reputation for being a more festive place for visitors than Jacksonville?  I took the train (Shameless Amtrak plug) to Tampa for a convention in 2008.  I was impressed by Ybor City during my visit...

Among the cities that have the resources to host a game of this magnitude, Jacksonville is probably dead last in public perception.

I am not sure if they will disclose why certain locales were picked, but it would be of interest of Jacksonville to find out why they weren't.

Not to beat someone up, but to understand where the gaps are so they can be addressed.

[JayBird]

^ agreed but I'm sure that's considered proprietary.

As a side note, before moving to Jacksonville I had never heard of it outside of the NFL, and even then knew nothing about it. It truly was Florida's hidden gem when I arrived in 2002, don't know if overall awareness of the city nationally has changed that much. To those of is up north, we grew up watching commercials promoting Tampa, Orlando, Kissimee, Clearwater and Miami during the winter and of course Daytona and Panama City were famous for Spring Break. Jacksonville seems to be Florida Tourisms red-headed stepchild.

[spuwho]

^ agreed but I'm sure that's considered proprietary.

As a side note, before moving to Jacksonville I had never heard of it outside of the NFL, and even then knew nothing about it. It truly was Florida's hidden gem when I arrived in 2002, don't know if overall awareness of the city nationally has changed that much. To those of is up north, we grew up watching commercials promoting Tampa, Orlando, Kissimee, Clearwater and Miami during the winter and of course Daytona and Panama City were famous for Spring Break. Jacksonville seems to be Florida Tourisms red-headed stepchild.

Before I lived here I only knew of Jax from afar, mostly due to the NFL but really didn't know much about it until I read about a forest fire west of here and a cable internet/TV problem in the press and I went and looked it up.

But like JayBird, I only heard ads for "Lake Buena Vista" and "Kissimmee" on TV game shows and commercials. Everyone knew about Daytona. I knew more about Destin and Pensacola than Jacksonville. We even studied St Augustine in grade school. When I got my first flight booked to Jax in 2003, I had to see what airlines served JIA because I had been just about everywhere, but not here.

My first view of the city was driving south over the Fuller Warren at night. The Acosta, MainStreet and Hart Bridges were all lit up. I could see the lights on the Dames Point Bridge from afar. The buildings were all lit up and I thought "wow....how come I haven't been here before?".

[tufsu1]

Just curious why do think Tampa was a bad choice?

While the city is a good travel destination, none of the hotels or attractions are near the stadium...so it doesn't provide a close-in festival feel.

And unlike Tampa, Jax has a resume for putting on great college football games

[Keith-N-Jax]

Ok I see. I have friends that live off S Dale Mabry and the stadium is on the other side, but considering Tampa does offer a lot more in dinning, restaurants, night life, etc. I think getting the shipyards developed is very important.

[Coolyfett]

Unfortunately, missed out on one of the main points I was advocating for bigger scoreboards.

http://tracking.si.com/2013/12/16/glendale-tampa-national-championship-game-sites/

Glendale, Ariz. and Tampa Bay were awarded the 2016 and 2017 National Championship games, reports Brett McMurphy of ESPN.com.


The 2016 is slated for Jan. 11 and will be played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, which is also the site of Super Bowl XLIX.

Glendale beat out Jacksonville (EverBank Field), New Orleans (Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Tampa Bay (Raymond James Stadium) for the 2016 game.

Tampa's Raymond James Stadium will host the Jan. 9, 2017, beating out the Bay Area (Levis Stadium, Jacksonville (EverBank Field, Minneapolis (Vikings Stadium), San Antonio (Alamodome and South Florida (Sun Life Stadium).

Next season begins the College Football playoff with the first championship game of the playoff era being played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, January 12, 2015.

Well we will just shoot for another year. No biggie.

I was thinking that to, but I know Atlanta, New Orleans & Miami eventually want this game plus the Semi finals they are ready get every 3 years. Phoenix is also in the semi rotation. Smh...I get tired of Duval getting over looked all the time well New Orleans and Miami bankroll off these games....lol

[Coolyfett]

Does Tampa have a reputation for being a more festive place for visitors than Jacksonville?  I took the train (Shameless Amtrak plug) to Tampa for a convention in 2008.  I was impressed by Ybor City during my visit...

Among the cities that have the resources to host a game of this magnitude, Jacksonville is probably dead last in public perception.

When I attended the FSU/Alabama game a fews year back at Everbank Field, it was an amazing experience. Largest crowd ever in the stadium. I don't see any reason why Jax couldn't handle a playoff game.

I am not sure if they will disclose why certain locales were picked, but it would be of interest of Jacksonville to find out why they weren't.

Not to beat someone up, but to understand where the gaps are so they can be addressed.

I was at that game as well. Jacksonville can never get a Playoff game, only a Championship game. The Playoff games are already set for the next 12 years with the same 6 metros getting all that money. The Bizjournal says its Hotels near Everbank...Im ok with Tampa Bay getting the game, but Ive read Orlando wanted it in the Citrus Bowl....the citrus bowl...I know Atlanta will definitely go for it once the new Falcon MLS stadium is complete. I just think the 6 semi final sites should not get to bid on the first 6 games, Its the same places getting all the money.