The city of Jacksonville and the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars have reached a tentative agreement on how to finance the new scoreboards and other improvements to Everbank Field.
Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown was joined by Jaguars team president Mark Lamping and Gator Bowl CEO Rick Catlett to make the announcement Wednesday at the stadium.
The Jaguars would finance $20 million while city share would be $43 million. City funding would come from the hotel bed tax.
The deal must be approved by the city council and no money for the improvements will come from the general fund, which pays for basic city services like libraries, parks and public safety.
The new video scoreboards would be among the largest in the world, stretching across each end zone.
Mayor Brown says the city needs to make the improvements at Everbank Field to remain competitive in bringing major sporting events to Jacksonville. He noted that Atlanta is building a new stadium, and has long coveted Jacksonville's position as host venue for the annual University of Florida-University of Georgia college football game.
Catlett says the improvements could help Jacksonville land more site-neutral games including one for Florida State University or a college playoff championship game.
Lamping says the changes will enhance the fan experience at Jaguars games.
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