by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
It’s been well over a year since Virginia Tech beat Boston College 30-16 in the third of three Dr Pepper ACC title games played in Jacksonville. Once billed as potentially as big as the annual SEC title game in Atlanta, low attendance figures and terrible weather in the 2006 game forced the game out of Jacksonville.
Gator Bowl Association President Rick Catlett took one step closer to wrapping up the event his organization brought to town, helped market and operate Thursday when the Tourist Development Council approved a $215,000 grant. Combined with money from the GBA and the City, Catlett can now square up with the Atlantic Coast Conference and make good on funding shortfalls associated with low ticket sales.
“Unfortunately, we did not succeed and we had to let the game go,” said Catlett, adding the 2008 game was played in Tampa between the same teams with very poor attendance figures. “It did not work and it is not often I come and ask for money for events that did not work.”
Catlett says this is only the second time the GBA has needed financial assistance from outside sources and despite the need this time, overall the ACC titles games were good for Jacksonville. The first game between Florida State and Virginia Tech in 2005 was a near sellout and the 2007 game drew a decent crowd.
“Even with low turnout, the game had an $8 million economic impact,” he said. “Overall, over the three years, it was a wise investment, but it did not pan out here.”
City Council and TDC member Daniel Davis said regardless of the controversy surrounding the GBA’s request for help and the current economic status of the City, helping the GBA is the right thing to do. Davis likened his decision to one he recently made regarding the pension plan of the City’s correctional officers.
“I would strongly recommend the Council approve this,” said Davis, adding the game was a risk worth taking. “Sometimes you are rewarded, sometimes not. If I was City Council President at the time (Michael Corrigan was), I would have taken the risk. There have been a lot of heads in beds because of the Gator Bowl Association and we need to show our support.”
According to TDC member Fred Pozin, the TDC contributed a little over $1 million to the GBA in support of the three ACC title games.
“I support this, but I will swallow hard,” said Pozin.
Catlett said he will take the money from the TDC grant, the funding from Council (a little over $700,000) and the money the GBA owes and send the ACC a check by the end of March. Catlett said the ACC was very cooperative throughout the process and actually lowered the ticket guarantee requirement to the point it saved the GBA about half a million dollars.
Now, Catlett said, he will turn his attention to three things: conference partnerships for the Gator Bowl, a TV deal for the game and a corporate sponsor. The game has one year left on the TV contract with CBS and talks are ongoing.
“All indications are things are going well,” said Catlett, adding he’s looking for another four-year deal with CBS.
He said once a TV deal and corporate sponsor are place, he’ll approach the ACC about renewing the contract between the conference and the Gator Bowl.
The TDC also approved a grant that will once again help create the Players Downtown Experience. This year’s event will start with ArtWalk May 6 and wrap up with the main party Friday at the Landing after the second day of golf at The Players.
“Jacksonville is on the world’s stage during The Players,” said tournament executive director Jay Monahan. “We want to position Jacksonville in the best light possible. This is the (PGA) Tour’s flagship event and we want to deliver a world class event.”
The TDC also approved a $25,000 grant to help stage this year’s Jacksonville Jazz Festival. The three-day event is set for May 22-24 in the heart of Downtown. The City plans to use such venues as Snyder Memorial, Hemming Plaza, the Landing and several businesses on Laura Street between the Landing and Hemming Plaza.
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