JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It's been 10 seasons since the Super Bowl was played in Jacksonville.
In 2005, Jacksonville became the center of the sports world with Super Bowl XXXIX. The game did more than ensure the Patriots dynasty, it established Jacksonville as a Super Bowl destination and brought millions.
Hotel occupancy ran higher than 80 percent the month of the Super Bowl, which is 20 percent higher than any month so far this year.
It breaks down to almost $34 million spent on rooms alone during February 2005.
"That doesn't include people going out to eat, shopping or using transportation," said Patty Jimenez of Visit Jacksonville.
So, why not host the game again? Action News contacted the NFL to find out what it takes to get the game back. We're told it's up to the teams and the cities to bid for the game, and all 32 teams, not the league, decided the venue.
We also contacted Jaguars team officials to see if they've reached out to the league to host the big game.
They said they "haven't because the city has higher priorities over wooing the NFL."
Hotel space is also still an issue. There are more than 4,000 new rooms in Jacksonville, compared to 2005 when cruise ships acted as floating hotels.
Even though there's no plans in the works yet, just think about it: How cool would it be to have the Super Bowl back in Jacksonville and how amazing would it be to have the Jaguars playing in it?
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