SEC Championship Leaving Atlanta...

[deahl001]

So it isn't leaving any time soon. 

http://dev.chuckoliver.net/2011/02/sec-championship-game-leaving-atlanta-eventually/

But I was reading this article and it got me thinking about what I would prefer.

In my opinion, I can't really imagine a better place than Atlanta for this game. It is a central location in a city with more than enough infrastructure and entertainment to support the fans. My thoughts are that Mr. Blank needs to come to reality and build another dome or at least a retractable roof. I am saying that as a resident and fan of Atlanta sports as well as an SEC fan.

If we couldn't keep the game here, I think my preference would be Orlando.

After that, I couldn't really pick a place of preference. I certainly can't imagine the SEC going outside of the Southeast for a venue.

Thoughts?

[Marshal Dillon]

First of all, NO WAY is the SEC going to play its CHAMPIONSHIP game in Dallas or Houston. The uproar would be immense. Plus, the travel time would be a burden for most SEC fans. Sam ges for Olando, it's nowhere near being cenrally located except for UF & maybe UGA. For it to be a true SEC site it must be in Atlanta, Bham, Nashville, or Jacksonville. The SECCG in Dallas, tat would be like holding the Big 12 in Atlanta. 

[deahl001]

First of all, NO WAY is the SEC going to play its CHAMPIONSHIP game in Dallas or Houston. The uproar would be immense. Plus, the travel time would be a burden for most SEC fans. Sam ges for Olando, it's nowhere near being cenrally located except for UF & maybe UGA. For it to be a true SEC site it must be in Atlanta, Bham, Nashville, or Jacksonville. The SECCG in Dallas, tat would be like holding the Big 12 in Atlanta. 

I completely agree. Problem with Birmingham, Nashville and Jacksonville is that they wouldn't offer anything better than Atlanta. And like you said, I can't see them being dumb enough to go to Dallas, NY, etc. because the backlash would be unbearable.

In general, I think the guy that wrote that article is stretching a bit just to write something, but it does provide some interesting food for thought.

My ultimate opinion is that the game stays in Atlanta for many, many years to come. Only way I could see a dramatic departure from that line of thought would be if there were some sort of restructuring of teams to accommodate a playoff scenario and conference championships were play in games or something of the sort.

[MountainTider]

New Orleans makes the most sense if the SEC expands west. Plus, who doesn't have a good time in New Orleans? I would rather spend a long weekend in New Orleans than Atlanta.

[ssmith general]

If Mobile ever gets a nice stadium ...

[MountainTider]

If Mobile ever gets a nice stadium ...

Never. Not enough infrastructure, hotel rooms or corporate support.

[deahl001]

If Mobile ever gets a nice stadium ...

[ricky023]

Well as I stated in the other Post I like Atlanta. CNS likes it, and Alabama wins there. So I hope we never leave.

[charlesscal]

 Nashville and Jacksonville is that they wouldn't offer anything better than Atlanta.

I disagree.  Atlanta is a hole and it is getting worse not better.  Both Nashville and Jacksonville have much to offer visting fans.   

New Orleans?  I am torn.  I love New Orleans, but it will never be the same.  That is a good thing in many ways.  I just do not know if it should be there.  If I were 18 I probabaly would want it there.

BAMA 

[deahl001]

 Nashville and Jacksonville is that they wouldn't offer anything better than Atlanta.

I disagree.  Atlanta is a hole and it is getting worse not better.  Both Nashville and Jacksonville have much to offer visting fans.   

New Orleans?  I am torn.  I love New Orleans, but it will never be the same.  That is a good thing in many ways.  I just do not know if it should be there.  If I were 18 I probabaly would want it there.

BAMA 

Meant that more in relation to football facilities. That being said, Nashville could offer the entertainment, infrastructure, etc. but I think Jacksonville is far from able to do so very effectively.

[2Stater]

I think N.O. would be a great fit. The Sugar bowls and Super bowls thrive there, even post Katrina. If not Atlanta then N.O. IMO.

[Tidewest]

I was glad to see the game go to Atlanta. I was at the last game in Birmingham and I have never been colder at a game. I really like having the weather out of the picture for the championship game. At one of the games in Atlanta it was sleeting outside and a lovely 73 degrees inside.

[deahl001]

My biggest complaint with Atlanta is the location of the dome. It makes tailgating a nightmare. And the general design of downtown is horrible for traffic. I drive by the dome/arena every day on my way home and can't understand why they designed it so poorly. Staring at it from my desk right now and it just isn't placed well. Will be interesting to see what they do in the next year. Atlanta fans will disappear so fast if they build an open air stadium. This city is not full of die hard fans that will show up regardless of conditions.

[2Stater]

I was glad to see the game go to Atlanta. I was at the last game in Birmingham and I have never been colder at a game. I really like having the weather out of the picture for the championship game. At one of the games in Atlanta it was sleeting outside and a lovely 73 degrees inside.

I went to the 1976 Peach Bowl at Fulton County Stadium. The coldest I have ever been in my life. 8 degrees at game time with a wind chill of -24 because of the howling wind and we were sitting next to an entry area where the wind was even worse. They better keep the dome or build another in a more accessible location. I think deahl001 is correct, the fans won't support another open air stadium.

[deahl001]

I am actually considering buying Falcons season tickets, but I am going to wait to see how the new stadium pans out. They are seriously claiming that they are building a new open air stadium. Location is up for debate, either in downtown at current location or in NE Atlanta near the old GM plant. Either way, if it is open air I won't be buying. My preference would be a massive redesign of the current location to make traffic flow easier and parking/tailgating more convenient. And build it with a retractable roof!

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