The City has chosen not to pursue a Navy-Marine Corps Classic men's college basketball game as part of its 2013 Week of Valor celebration.
City Sports and Entertainment Director Alan Verlander told members of the Meninak Club of Jacksonville that because of other events scheduled at that time, the City has decided to revisit hosting the game in 2014.
"We have a lot going on at that time, so we have chosen to refocus on the Navy-Marine Corps Classic in 2014," said Verlander, who was the group's guest speaker Monday.
Verlander said the Oct. 9 NBA preseason game between the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Pelicans and the Nov. 2 Florida-Georgia college football game are two events the City will be focused on at that time.
The City also is working with the Sunshine Soccer Group to host a "friendly" soccer match in November.
"The other factor is that military funding has also been cut back, so they couldn't make the same commitment in 2013 that they did during the first game," said Verlander.
The inaugural event was Nov. 9 and featured the University of Florida and Georgetown University men's basketball teams playing on the deck of the USS Bataan at Mayport Naval Station.
The City lost about $700,000 because of factors such as being played on a smaller-than-expected ship, which reduced available seats, and condensation on the court that caused the game to be stopped at halftime.
Although the evolution of the military-themed basketball tradition is on hold, Verlander said the City plans to polish one of its long-standing established sporting events, the Florida-Georgia football game.
"It's recognized, but it has never really had a true branding effort," said Verlander.
"We want to make this as similar to a bowl game atmosphere and give it the same importance to make it recognizable to a national audience," said Verlander.
He said he had spoken with the athletic directors at the University of Florida and the University of Georgia and plans to work with them as the game's contract renewal approaches in 2016.
Verlander said he has worked to calm fears about the potential of fewer available seats for the game because of the Jacksonville Jaguars' plan to improve the gameday experience at EverBank Field.
One change will be the removal of about 7,000 seats from the north end zone to create the North Party Deck, which will feature two swimming pools.
"We've discussed that and have already talked to vendors who will be able to replace those seats with temporary seating for special events like the Florida-Georgia game," said Verlander.
Verlander was asked about the reported communication problems between the mayor's office and Gator Bowl Association President and CEO Rick Catlett.
Catlett is finalizing contracts for the Gator Bowl that are longer than the association's contract with the City to use EverBank Field for its games. The organizations Catlett is negotiating with are hesitant to sign if a long-term agreement for use of the stadium is not in place, said Verlander.
"He wasn't getting the response that he felt he needed to get things done. We've called a meeting and we are going to try to get this done," said Verlander.
"I think we will get it resolved real quick," he said.
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