Created: 3/20/2009 6:34:28 PM 
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- A River City tradition for more than 80 years, the Florida-Georgia game is only locked in Jacksonville through 2010. The City of Atlanta says it wants to be the next host.
The Atlanta Sports Council has announced its plans to talk with the University of Florida and the University of Georgia about moving the annual rivalry north.
Considered a neutral site, Jacksonville has hosted the game every years since the 1930s.
"We're from Jacksonville. You've got to be a football fan," said Daniel Locke, who patroned the Mudville Grill on Beach Blvd. Friday.
Held the first weekend in November, the game attracts more than 80,000 fans to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, plus thousands more who party outside the gates.
It's a tradition the city officials seek to improve upon every year: the weekend brings more than $30 million in economic impact.
"It's obvious the impact the game has on the city," said Locke.
"Any time you put that kind of stimulus into the economy, it's a huge thing," said Michael Bouda, manager of Sports and Entertainment for the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission.
Bouda says Atlanta's bid is nothing new. Every time the game's contract comes up, another city shows interest.
"Anybody that could have this game, it would be a huge coup for them. We're going to do everything in our power to be sure that doesn't happen," Bouda said, citing Mayor Peyton's dedication to keep Jacksonville the host.
Last year's game coincided with the Greater Jacksonville Fair, creating a parking and traffic problem down by the stadium.
Mayor Peyton vowed that the fair would not be held on the same weekend again.
While he certainly hopes that the game will not leave, Bouda says Atlanta's interest is a reminder that officials can't become complacent when it comes to promoting Jacksonville as host city.
Bouda says the city hopes to reach negotiations with both the University of Florida and the University of Georgia on a new contract by the fall.
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