by David Chapman
Staff Writer
The naming rights for the Gator Bowl from a “major international company” is close, according to Rick Catlett, president of the Gator Bowl Association. He said an announcement should be made within two weeks.
The association turned down Toyota’s offer to remain the sponsor for four years because the price, $1.25 million, wasn’t right. The association has been seeking $1.75 million a year.
“We have the ability to play the game without a sponsor this year,” said Catlett, “but that’s not something we want to do, but we can.”
Catlett discussed a variety of issues Monday regarding the Gator Bowl, the ACC Championship, Florida-Georgia and Florida State-Alabama games.
The Florida State-Alabama clash on Sept. 29 is showing big things in terms of tickets and the potential economic impact, to the point where it might eclipse Florida-Georgia.
“With Auburn-Florida and Florida State-Alabama on the same weekend,” said Catlett, “the economic impact for the area should be over $50 million.”
In other news:
• Florida State-Alabama isn’t the only game on the horizon for Jacksonville. The association has been in talks with Notre Dame, and Clemson as well as Florida State on the possibilities of playing future games in Jacksonville.
“It’s got to be the right mix for us to do it,” said Catlett.
One intriguing matchup that Catlett has said he’s explored is Notre Dame, with its large national following, playing against Navy.
• The proposal to host future ACC Championships will be submitted on Aug. 31. Jacksonville’s contract with the game runs out after the Dec. 3 game. Jacksonville’s main competition for future games is Charlotte and Tampa.
A press conference is scheduled for Aug. 28 to outline the bid for future games, as well as the marketing campaign for the 2007 game. Poor ticket sales last year have been attributed to the cold and rainy weather as well as the disinterest from locals toward Wake Forest and Georgia Tech, the two participants. Catlett believes that as tradition builds with the game, ticket sales will increase from conference schools and the game will be as highly anticipated as the SEC Championship in Atlanta.
• The Gator Bowl Committee is the one responsible for the one-year deal that is currently in place with the ACC. Faced with the option of going for two years, Catlett and the association declined.
“It’s a trial to see if it can be a success,” he said. “We couldn’t afford the two-year deal.”
• Catlett believes having the ACC Championship will be integral for staying involved with the possibility of a college playoff on the horizon.
“We believe the ACC Championship game will be part of a playoff,” he said. “With the growing possibility of a plus-one system, it’s important.”
Festivities for the ACC Championship will include a celebrity golf tournament, absent from last year’s event, as well as a major concert the Friday before the game, said Catlett.
“We believe this is a great special events city,” said Catlett, “and we’re pretty excited about it.”