QuoteDear Friends:
Jacksonville is positioning itself to host one of the world’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 Year’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 community’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 Jacksonville’s bid to become part of this worldwide championship tournament.
You don’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
*signs it* I would LOVE for the world cup to be here!!!!
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!
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.
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.
Signed.
Here is the link:
http://www.gousabid.com/city/local/jacksonville-fl/
I signed it.
I'll pass it on to my other blogs next. It'd be great to see those games here!
The petition sign is now on the front page. Encourage people to sign up!
You can put the link on Facebook too, if you so desire.........(I did)
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.
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/
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.
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.
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
come on Ock...we have 8-12 years...surely even Jax. could get transit in place by then!
Tufsu1 you say that with sarcasm right, after all these years you would think someone was asking it to be expanded to the airport.
Quote from: tufsu1 on December 03, 2009, 10:35:50 PM
come on Ock...we have 8-12 years...surely even Jax. could get transit in place by then!
Don't worry Keith, we're on the same team. TUFSU, how about I'll push and you pop the clutch?
OCKLAWAHA
List came out today - Jacksonville will not one of the host cities. SE cities are Miami, Tampa, Nashville, and Atlanta
Nine cities, including Jacksonville, were cut from the list. Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Oakland, Orlando, St. Louis and San Francisco were also cut from the bid.
I find it interesting that several of Jacksonville's peer cities--Nashville, Kansas City, and Indianapolis--all made the cut. The bid committee obviously looked to add several smaller markets while cutting Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, and the Bay Area.
In the article announcing the selected cities at gousabid.com, John Kristick, the Managing Director of the USA Bid Committee said: "The final group of cities selected exceed all FIFA requirements in all areas, including infrastructure, community and government support, as well as commitment to utilize the FIFA World Cup and the sport of soccer for higher sustainable social and environmental goals."
I'll let others speculate as to where Jacksonville fell short in its bid.
Sad news.
http://www.gousabid.com/blog/entry/18-cities-included-in-the-us-bid-for-the-fifa-world-cup-in-2018-2022/ (http://www.gousabid.com/blog/entry/18-cities-included-in-the-us-bid-for-the-fifa-world-cup-in-2018-2022/)
Gee fella's .....if Miami is on the list...........we better hurry and get that HSR line going! I'm not sure if we have time to get something built!
Well, I'm throwing my support behind Nashville, as it is my hometown and I loathe Atlanta getting anything else major.
reednavy ....I agree! Could be held out at the Nashville Speedway...........lots of room out there and in the surrounding area!
I agree, too, Reed. As a native Tennessean, I'm supporting Nashville all the way and will go there for a few games. Even though I lived in Atlanta for several years, I'm also annoyed by everything going to Atlanta when someone needs a city in the South, eg, the last 16 SEC Championship Games being held there!
Personally, I just think it was an issue of Jacksonville having to compete with many other southeastern cities, and those cities being better equipped to handle these sort of events.
Quote from: Steve on January 12, 2010, 04:02:50 PM
List came out today - Jacksonville will not one of the host cities. SE cities are Miami, Tampa, Nashville, and Atlanta
that spreads things out pretty well....it was highly unlikely that more than 2 cities in FL would be selected.
The Nashville SuperSpeedway was the biggest lie ever in Middle TN history, lol.
No, their venue would be LP Field, right across from downtown. I can't imagine the flurry of activity with that many visitors in downtown. Probably helps to that the new convention center, at over 1mil sq. ft. is up for final vote on Thursday and will be open by 2013.
Just a thought big fella! I do agree by the way...............awhole lot of nothing around that area! Hope they get their Convention Center up and running! Beats the hell out of what we have here!
CS...would you support a tax increase or floating of bonds to build a new convention center here?
Quote from: tufsu1 on January 12, 2010, 04:42:46 PM
CS...would you support a tax increase or floating of bonds to build a new convention center here?
Do you know how it is being paid for? I know how it is, just making sure you do.
Anyways, sorry for going OT, make a new thread if we wanna talk about the MCC.
Floating of Bonds I think would be best! I would also suggest the Ship Yard area since that is the biggest parcel available................not at the Prime Osburn site..........that needs to return to Rail. Transportation Center could go to the old JEA bldg or the Federal Bldg! Either one would be better than what is proposed and where!
Tampa is listed in the quote you were replying to.
Quote from: reednavy on January 12, 2010, 04:55:00 PM
Tampa is listed in the quote you were replying to.
haha, thanks. i am having problems with my browser right now and it distracted me. what an idiotic mistake :P
I'd better delete it quick...
Sports is Big BUSINESS!!! Jax just keep the chip on ur shoulder n keep trying.
In 94 Atl didnt get any games, but Orlando did. Glad to c they attemped. Still say more major city influence is needed in Jax. Just keep trying! Stay hungry for superbowls, final fours, olympics n world cups. Stay Hungry! Glad to hear Weavers annoucement tonite. Jax owes dude a statue. Word.
QuoteIn 94 Atl didnt get any games
No, but they did throw a helluva party in the Summer of 96 in Atlanta.
Jax has NCAA Round 1 and 2 tourney coming this March, not the final 4, but respectable and the NCAA has been here once, good to see them coming back for more. Never hurts to try new things.
We need to get the ACC Baseball Championships back here as well, or look to have FSU home baseball games played here as well.
Sucks Jax didnt make the list, in my opinion the city should take this rejection as motivation and really push harder when the chance comes around.
Quote from: Coolyfett on February 04, 2010, 01:32:52 PM
Sucks Jax didnt make the list, in my opinion the city should take this rejection as motivation and really push harder when the chance comes around.
Agreed fully.
I am so happy Fifa Hit the reset button on this bid!! If Jax cant play no one can!! Hopefully for 2026 or 2030, Jacksonville wont get deleted from the list. I am happy US did not get it for a few reasons.
Sepp Blatter from FIFA was asked who his favorite Qatar player was..... He replied....... Eric Clapton..
Thank you .... Thank you very much.
The whole FIFA selection process is corrupt. The 94 WC held here in the US was the most profitable ever. We would probably break that record again. It comes down to dollars, FIFA was unwilling to wait until 2022 to get their payoff, so they got it now under the table from Qatar.
They still need to finish all ofheir stadia and install A/C as temps can be as high as 115F in the summer.
FIFA is as worthless as the Olympic Committee.
I'm starting to think so too. I know there are a lot of countries in the running but the US has everything needed to host a world class cup already here and built! Any major city with an NFL stadium (especially those that have hosted a Superbowl) has the ability to pull it off with almost no effort whatsoever.
If any of the selected countries fail to pull it off the US comittee is ready to take over on short notice and host. SOuth Africa was touch and go for a while and the US was ready to step in.
I might be in my 60's when the US gets the host again.
Damn.
Quote from: copperfiend on December 06, 2010, 02:22:17 PM
I might be in my 60's when the US gets the host again.
Damn.
Maybe Jacksonville can benefit by then?
Quote from: danno on December 03, 2010, 02:28:20 PM
Sepp Blatter from FIFA was asked who his favorite Qatar player was..... He replied....... Eric Clapton..
Thank you .... Thank you very much.
The whole FIFA selection process is corrupt. The 94 WC held here in the US was the most profitable ever. We would probably break that record again. It comes down to dollars, FIFA was unwilling to wait until 2022 to get their payoff, so they got it now under the table from Qatar.
They still need to finish all ofheir stadia and install A/C as temps can be as high as 115F in the summer.
It might be cause I'm so sleepy, but that made me laugh. Out loud. Good one.
I think the over/under on goal differential for Qatar's three games will be -15.
As for the money, yeah...the cynic in me has to assume some financial finagling considering how much money was thrown around over the table during the bid. That said, I do believe they'll have the facilities completed and in world-class condition by 2022. Adequate security, terrorist issues and a competitive team are another matter entirely.