 EverBank
Field
Jacksonville, FL
When one thinks of Jacksonville and
football, their first thought may be the Gator Bowl, the annual
college football bowl game played in the city since 1946. However
since 1995 the Jacksonville Jaguars have been a part of the
football scene in the city. Decades before the Jaguars played
their first game in Jacksonville their were discussions of the
Baltimore Colts or the Houston Oilers moving to the city. Neither of these
teams moved and in 1989, Touchdown Jacksonville! was formed to
bring a NFL franchise to the city. Professional football in
Jacksonville became one step closer to reality in 1991 when the
NFL announced they would expand by two teams. Five cities were in
the running for the two teams including Charlotte, St. Louis,
Baltimore, Memphis and Jacksonville. In order for the NFL to
consider the city for a team, a new stadium would need to be
constructed or the Gator Bowl would have to be renovated. In July
1993 negotiations with the city to reconstruct the Gator Bowl
failed and it appeared Jacksonville was out of the running for a
NFL franchise. However, interest in getting a team did not die and
the city eventually renegotiated, committing to spending $60 million
to reconstruct the Gator Bowl. On November 30, 1993 the NFL
awarded the city a franchise.
Construction for a new stadium on the site of the Gator Bowl began
on January 3, 1994 and was completed 19.5 months later by opening
day, 1995.
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