Mayor John Peyton: Support World Cup Bid

untarded · November 05, 2009, 05:23:23 PM

QuoteDear Friends:

Jacksonville is positioning itself to host one of the worldâ€™s greatest sporting events, and you can do your part to help this effort with a simple signature. Jacksonville is among 27 cities vying to be part of the FIFA World Cup Soccer Tournament in 2018 and 2022. Winning that bid would literally mean that the eyes of the sporting world would be on Jacksonville.

Jacksonville has already established itself as a city that stands out when it comes to hosting events. Among them are the annual Florida-Georgia Football Classic, the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl (a New Yearâ€™s tradition), and of course, in 2005 Jacksonville became one of only a handful of cities to have hosted a Super Bowl. Becoming part of the FIFA World Cup would be one of the most prestigious feathers in our cap.

The economic impact of such an event would be enormous. Economic Research Associates, one of the leading international tourism, sports and entertainment attraction consulting firms, has estimated that a World Cup host city could expect an economic impact of between $300 and $500 million. Additionally, this event offers the people of Jacksonville new employment opportunities, as between 5,000 and 8,000 new local jobs will be created in preparation for the FIFA World Cup.

The governing body of the FIFA World Cup needs to know that Jacksonville wants this event. This is where your voice can really go a long way in benefitting our communityâ€™s effort to bring the game to Jacksonville. I encourage you to visit www.gousabid.com/jacksonville and take a moment to sign the petition supporting Jacksonvilleâ€™s bid to become part of this worldwide championship tournament.

You donâ€™t have to be a soccer fan to sign, just someone who supports our town! I guarantee it will be an unforgettable event for the City of Jacksonville.

Sincerely,

John Peyton

Mayor

Sportmotor · November 05, 2009, 05:30:36 PM

*signs it* I would LOVE for the world cup to be here!!!!

mtraininjax · November 06, 2009, 09:13:24 AM

I don't know when the page was created, but only 2281 had signed up since I did a few minutes ago. I think we need a few more people to get the attention of FIFA.

For 5000 to 8000 jobs I'd stand on my head!

TPC · November 06, 2009, 09:41:54 AM

I signed yesterday, along with all of my co-workers. If the World Cup came to Jacksonville I would go crazy.

I'm glad the Mayor is behind this, I think all of Jacksonville should be behind this.

danno · November 06, 2009, 09:45:53 AM

I have been to every World Cup since 94. It would be great not to travel. Though my streak will end this time around as I don't have the funds for South Africa.

I think our chances are slim as we don't have any direst international services to JIA.

Jason · November 06, 2009, 10:10:47 AM

Signed.

Steve · November 06, 2009, 10:22:45 AM

Here is the link:

http://www.gousabid.com/city/local/jacksonville-fl/

Cliffs_Daughter · November 06, 2009, 10:30:17 AM

I signed it.
I'll pass it on to my other blogs next. It'd be great to see those games here!

Steve · November 06, 2009, 11:01:53 AM

The petition sign is now on the front page. Encourage people to sign up!

blizz01 · November 06, 2009, 11:28:18 AM

You can put the link on Facebook too, if you so desire.........(I did)

blizz01 · November 06, 2009, 11:34:58 AM

QuoteThe petition sign is now on the front page. Encourage people to sign up!

First Coast News' site has it front & center too. Nice to see people getting involved.

aaapolito · December 03, 2009, 07:33:11 PM

It would be great to have the World Cup here in Jacksonville. I went to two matches at Giants Stadium in NJ in 1994. The World Cup is just such a great event. It's the world's biggest and best sporting event.

I'm curious though if Jacksonville would be a suitable place for soccer. NY/NJ was a shoe-in for sell-outs and excitement about soccer, mainly because of the diverse community.

I hope that Jacksonville gets the bid to be part of the US bid for the World Cup, but only if it proves itself to be a city that would draw great soccer crowds.

Here is the link again to support the bid for Jacksonville: http://www.gousabid.com/city/local/jacksonville-fl/

aaapolito · December 03, 2009, 07:39:22 PM

Just to add one thing: Jacksonville (5371) currently has more votes to support a world cup bid than NY/NJ (4599).

That's impressive. Keep it up Jacksonville.

Keith-N-Jax · December 03, 2009, 09:30:41 PM

Quote from: aaapolito on December 03, 2009, 07:39:22 PM
Just to add one thing: Jacksonville (5371) currently has more votes to support a world cup bid than NY/NJ (4599).

That's impressive. Keep it up Jacksonville.

Too bad we can't support our own downtown and our NFL team. I signed today.

Ocklawaha · December 03, 2009, 10:27:28 PM

I'm in Mayor Peyton, but how are they going to get to the stadium? No Skyway, No Streetcars, No BRT, No Commuter Rail... Every one of these systems could get within 2 blocks of the stadium with a little commitment from the City. How many times have the MJ staff asked to speak to you on these matters only to speak to Adam? I like Adam, I go to church with Adam, but you are the man that can make it happen.

Also having lived in other parts of the World, I can say, the USA, Florida or our City doesn't have a clue how big this would be. Why not follow this with a bid for the Worlds Fair?

OCKLAWAHA