If those little mutt bitches lead by Dooley want to ruin one the best traditions in football because they can't man up and beat us, why the hell should they be the only ones to benefit from the SEC Championship? I don't remember hearing about Dooley complaining about Jax when they were kicking our arse.

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From the Atlanta Business Chronicle today: Friday, March 20, 2009

Atlanta bids for UGA-Florida game Atlanta Business Chronicle

by John Manasso Staff Writer

Atlanta sports boosters hope to win one of the country’s top college football rivalries: the famed annual showdown between The University of Georgia and the University of 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. Stokan said that in conversations with Georgia Athletic Director Damon Evans and Coach Mark Richt, “both of them expressed a high level of interest.” Evans said he continues “to evaluate the total picture” and that Georgia would “do at the end of the day what we think is best for us.” Evans said officials in Jacksonville would probably like to have a new contract completed already. He said he would like to make a decision with one year remaining on the existing contract. “Each time renewal comes up, I’ve heard this topic broached quite a bit,” he said. The potential economic impact for Atlanta could be huge, said William Pate, president of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. He said he thought the game would be similar in impact to the Chick-fil-A Bowl, also played at the dome. The bowl has economic impact in the $30 million to $33 million range, Pate said. The game has been played annually since 1914. It’s been held in the “neutral” city of Jacksonville since 1933 with the exception of 1994 and 1995. In 2004, the Sports Council unsuccessfully held talks with Georgia about the possibility of moving the game to the Dome. If one factor could prove persuasive it could be Georgia’s 3-16 record in the game during the last 19 years. Last year the game in Jacksonville drew 84,649. The Georgia Dome holds about 72,000. Former Georgia athletic director and football coach Vince Dooley said that once the current contract is up, Georgia would not need to consult with Florida to play the game elsewhere if it chose. He thinks that financial considerations would play a role in the decision in considering a potential move. “It’s been kicked around on several occasions, specifically by Coach Richt who seemed to be in favor of that,” Dooley said. Dooley said the economics would have to work for such a change to take place. He said that would be “one of the issues the administration would have to deal with.” “As far as the logic of alternating, it makes sense,” Dooley said. Richt told reporters in the past that the game should be played every other year at a neutral site in Georgia. Dooley cited the lack of success in Jacksonville over almost the last two decades as a potential factor. But there is also tradition, he said. “I think it won’t be easy to break with the tradition,” he said. “But there again, a lot depends on the feelings of the coach and the administration.” Tom Jackson, vice president for public affairs, said such a potential move would be for Evans “to study and make a recommendation,” saying for now the decision is in Evans’ “court at this time.” Evans said he likes working with Georgia President Michael Adams on issues of this magnitude, saying “it’s not a small thing.” Evans also would consult with the athletic board, of which Adams is chairman. ACVB’s Pate said he thought the Georgia-Florida game could draw 100,000 people to Atlanta, because many visitors without tickets come to tailgate. That’s why the game in Jacksonville was for decades known as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.” Pate said for those from metro Atlanta with University of Georgia and Florida ties, even if they did not stay in hotel rooms, they would visit attractions and eat at downtown restaurants. Pate said such a potential move would be “a huge win for the city.” “Sports are a great way to add to the calendar,” he said. “The hospitality industry would be very excited.” Pate said he thought whatever gap existed between the size of the stadiums in Jacksonville and Atlanta could be made up financially. “No one’s going to move for less financial impact,” he said. “You’d have to pull together all the right things. ... I’m confident the gap could be closed.”

This post was edited on 3/20/09 at 11:52 am