Atlanta bids for Florida-Georgia game

Lunican · March 20, 2009, 03:10:33 PM

QuoteAtlanta bids for Florida-Georgia game

Atlanta sports boosters hope to win one of the country's top college football rivalries: the famed annual showdown between Georgia and Florida.

Georgia's four-year contract to play Florida in Jacksonville each year is set to expire next year.

Gary Stokan, president of the Atlanta Sports Council, an affiliate of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, is talking to Georgia about playing at the Georgia Dome once every four years.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=529578

reednavy · March 20, 2009, 03:15:51 PM

Atlanta, you have enough sporting events that you get, let the others have a damn bone, alright.

thelakelander · March 20, 2009, 03:23:07 PM

The question is, is Jax man enough to fit to keep it here? Or will we be intimidated by the larger metro to the north?

Steve · March 20, 2009, 03:35:50 PM

If Delaney was mayor, I would never think this game would leave. However, I honestly think that Peyton could f*** up a bake sale, so I think it could happen.

fsujax · March 20, 2009, 03:35:59 PM

Come on FL let Ga win a few a games, so they will stop whinning and threatening to move the game to Atlanta to be fair to the Dawgs!

reednavy · March 20, 2009, 03:37:56 PM

Quote from: fsujax on March 20, 2009, 03:35:59 PM
Come on FL let Ga win a few a games, so they will stop whinning and threatening to move the game to Atlanta to be fair to the Dawgs!

You know that is their primary reason for this. Hell, probably the on;y, considering they showed their butts in 07 and got pimp slapped last year.

David · March 20, 2009, 03:39:38 PM

::40's radio announcer voice:: "It's a fight to the finish! lil man jack against heavyweight atl, this could go 12 rounds folks!"

I can't imagine the Florida/Georgia game not being here. However, I bet the UGA fans and team are tired of driving 360 miles to play somewhere that's supposedly neutral.

Steve · March 20, 2009, 03:42:39 PM

You know, if you talk to the longtime florida AND georgia fans who were going to games when they did the home and home for the Stadium Renovations for the Jaguars, most of them didn't like it because it didn't feel the same. While I'm not a college football fan (it's so hard to take seriously with the BCS), this game is a tradition. Frankly, we've flushed so many of them in this city. Let's not flush one more.

Tripoli1711 · March 20, 2009, 03:45:41 PM

As to whether it is a neutral field, the stands are always darn close to 50/50 from what I can see on TV, and there is no "home field advantage" that Florida gets. It has always appeared to me as though the Georgia students and fans really look forward to coming down for the game. I think there would be some disappointment if it were in Atlanta.. I mean.. they're probably over there all the time anyway. As it stands now they have an excuse for a road trip.

I do agree that I would not even think twice about this prospect were Delaney still mayor. With the current state of local government, I'm a little nervous.

ProjectMaximus · March 20, 2009, 03:46:07 PM

I dont see the problem? They arent lacking in fan support at the game so it is still a neutral site. And whats the difference between a 90 minute drive and a 90 minute flight? Granted...I am biased as both a Gators fan and a Jax fan wanting to keep the game.

hey fsujax, how bout getting the Seminoles to continue the River City Showdown? Or maybe starting a new neutral site game with GaTech? lol...it aint our fault that the Bulldogs have been our bitches in recent years.

fsujax · March 20, 2009, 04:09:40 PM

I love it when the Noles play here. The turnout is usually pretty good. Especially for the FSU Alabama game.

Deuce · March 20, 2009, 04:34:43 PM

I sincerely hope we don't loose this game. I'm not a fan of either team and I hate the idiots downtown getting in my way when I'm trying to get somewhere, but it's a great boost to the local economy, especially downtown, and another special event we can call our own. Our mayor should be bending over backwards or forwards, whatever it takes to keep the game teal (if you will).

David · March 20, 2009, 04:34:58 PM

Quote from: Tripoli1711 on March 20, 2009, 03:45:41 PM
As to whether it is a neutral field, the stands are always darn close to 50/50 from what I can see on TV, and there is no "home field advantage" that Florida gets. It has always appeared to me as though the Georgia students and fans really look forward to coming down for the game. I think there would be some disappointment if it were in Atlanta.. I mean.. they're probably over there all the time anyway. As it stands now they have an excuse for a road trip.

Some of my family (big UGA fans) are from the Athens area and they always moan how it's not fair Georgia has to play in Florida every year, but then again they hardly ever leave the state so you're right. It's a great excuse for a road trip!

If Atlanta were to get this game once every 4 years Iâ€™d imagine we would try to snag the other 3?

thelakelander · March 20, 2009, 07:27:26 PM

The TU just picked this story up:

http://www.jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2009-03-20/story/atlanta_group_makes_pitch_for_florida-georiga_game

GatorShane · March 20, 2009, 08:20:14 PM

I hope the city is proactive and doesn't sit back and let this one slip away. Just to rehash old sentiments, that is the difference between Jax and other cities. We sit back and places like Atlanta go after events they want.