Florida, Georgia address playing in Jacksonville

The Univ. of Florida and Univ. of Georgia today issued a joint statement on the issue of "whether their annual football game will be played in Jacksonville beyond the current contracted cycle." The statement reads: "At this time, both programs are focused on our current seasons. Typically both schools begin conversations regarding future games in the series as the last contracted game nears." The game will be played at TIAA Bank Field on Saturday and in 2023, with an "option for two more years." Each team is paid $3.3M per year and UGA receives "travel assistance from the city of Jacksonville." The statement said that any discussions on renewing the contract will "consider a multitude of factors, including tradition, finances, future SEC scheduling models with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma, and what is best for both schools' football programs overall" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 10/24).