Georgia-Florida Game to Remain in Jacksonville

Georgia to keep playing Florida in Jacksonville

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - The annual Georgia-Florida football game will be staying in Jacksonville.

The Georgia athletic board endorsed a new six-year contract Wednesday that would keep the game in the northeast Florida city through 2016. Athletic director Damon Evans can now finalize negotiations with the city of Jacksonville and Florida officials, likely nothing more than a formality.

Evans cited the game’s rich tradition and a guarantee by CBS to televise it every year at 3:30 p.m. in proposing a new contract.
“An extraordinary amount of study has been done on the various options available and a great deal of input has been gathered,” said Evans. “After all the fact-gathering and evaluation of those factors, I’m convinced that moving forward with discussions on extending the contract in Jacksonville is the appropriate way to go. I’m delighted the Board feels the same way.”
Evans also noted among other things the economic impact on the southern part of the state of Georgia as an important consideration along with the exposure provided in the state of Florida as a recruiting ground for UGA.

The current deal ends after the 2010 game, and there was speculation Georgia might want to play the Gators at Sanford Stadium in alternating years instead of 84,000-seat Jacksonville
Municipal Stadium every season.

In addition to the Georgia-Florida discussion approval, the Board also approved funds to develop plans for two facility enhancement projects:  a Stegeman Coliseum concourse renovation and expansion; and a project behind the north stands of Sanford Stadium that would provide a multi-function amenity supporting both the game day event and the campus on non-event days.

The Associated Press and Georgia Sports Communications contributed to this report.