Kirby Smart's simple explanation on why Florida-Georgia rivalry isn't coming to Athens
However, after the 2025 season, Georgia and Florida will play each other at neutral sites in 2026 (Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia) and 2027 (Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida) while EverBank Stadium undergoes some renovations. The rivalry will return to EverBank Stadium in 2028.
Advertisement
Georgia coach Kirby Smart explained why the Georgia-Florida series is playing at neutral sites in 2026 and 2027 instead of doing a home-and-home series for two years. Based on a recent interview, Smart clearly would have preferred to play a home-and-home series.
Head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs and head coach Billy Napier of the Florida Gators
"Why can't we play that Florida-Georgia game..." Smart said as he shook his head. "Didn't get it (a home-and-home series)."
"That was an AD decision," added Smart. "It ultimately came based on money. And, you know, the Mercedes and Tampa both ponied up and made really good financial offers."
Smart also reminisced on his playing career when he played at home (1995) and away (1994) against Florida. Georgia suffered embarrassing blowouts in both 1994 and 1995, but it would've been really fun to see the games return to Athens and Gainesville in 2026 and 2027.
Kirby Smart's interview
How much money will Georgia and Florida make?
Both Georgia and Florida are set to make $7.5 million for playing the 2026 game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Money is king in this era of college football. Traditions and what is best for fans and players are often getting tossed to the side.
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Kirby Smart explains what decided future of Florida-Georgia rivalry
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Falcons lose starting WR Darnell Mooney for several weeks with shoulder injury and sign D.J. Chark
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Darnell Mooney's status for the start of the season is uncertain as the Atlanta Falcons' second-leading receiver in 2024 is expected to miss several weeks of training camp with a shoulder injury. Mooney suffered the injury in Thursday's first practice of training camp. The Falcons bolstered their depth chart at wide receiver by signing veteran D.J. Chark Jr., who joined the team for Saturday's practice. Chark worked out for the Falcons on Friday. 'That workout was already set up,' Falcons assistant general manager Kyle Smith said Saturday, referring to the visit from Chark being scheduled before Mooney's injury. Smith said Mooney's injury is 'part of the deal' and the front office is 'always ready to find solutions and add to the roster whenever we can.' Smith provided no details on the severity of Mooney's injury. Chark, 29, began the 2024 season on injured reserve with a hip injury and was limited to four catches for 31 yards with one touchdown in seven games with the Los Angeles Chargers. Chark, a second-round draft pick by Jacksonville in 2018, set career highs with 73 catches for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns for the Jaguars in 2019. Following four seasons with Jacksonville, Chark played for Detroit in 2022 and Carolina in 2023. Mooney had 64 catches for 992 yards and five touchdowns in 2024. Drake London led the team with 100 receptions for 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns. London, Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud III opened training camp as Atlanta's top wide receivers. KhaDarel Hodge returns as a top backup after starting two games last season. The injury will force Mooney to miss valuable practice time with second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who is entering his first full season as the starter following a three-game audition to close the 2024 season. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dolphins sign ex-Patriots star to fill big void
The Miami Dolphins are turning over every stone to try to improve their cornerback depth. They were dealt a big blow this week when Artie Burns tore his ACL, and multiple signings have followed. The latest came Saturday, as the Dolphins announced they had signed free agent Jack Jones. Jones was a fourth-round pick by the Patriots in 2022 who stayed with New England until midway through 2023, when he missed curfew before a game and was released. He joined the Raiders, for whom he played the rest of 2023 and all of 2024. In 2024, Jones set career highs in tackles (69), passes defensed (16) and interceptions (3). MORE: Bills' James Cook contract saga doesn't lessen his importance to Super Bowl aspirations Jones is 27 years old and has seven interceptions through his first three NFL seasons since leaving Arizona State. The Raiders spent the first month of the offseason trying to trade Jones but released him in April after not finding any takers. Now, the Dolphins were desperate and are giving Jones a chance. MORE NFL NEWS: Micah Parsons risks temporary retirement, frozen contract if he leaves training camp Buccaneers holding rookie out because he weighs too much Browns' 10-year NFL veteran retires days into training camp Raiders' 325-pound rookie is the scariest Wildcat quarterback ever Shedeur Sanders could 'realistically' end up in the CFL A toilet is helping Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf build chemistry
Washington Post
15 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Falcons lose starting WR Darnell Mooney for several weeks with shoulder injury and sign D.J. Chark
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Darnell Mooney's status for the start of the season is uncertain as the Atlanta Falcons' second-leading receiver in 2024 is expected to miss several weeks of training camp with a shoulder injury. Mooney suffered the injury in Thursday's first practice of training camp. The Falcons bolstered their depth chart at wide receiver by signing veteran D.J. Chark Jr., who joined the team for Saturday's practice. Chark worked out for the Falcons on Friday.
