ORLANDO, Fla. & GAINESVILLE, Fla. — No sooner than what was known on the when and where the FHSAA would host this year’s Drive To December Championship games, a wrench might have been thrown into the plans.
The ACC announced earlier today that it would be removing all neutral site championship games involving the conference out of North Carolina due to the controversial House Bill 2 also known as the “Bathroom Bill.”
Among those championships that are affected at is the ACC Football Championship, which is scheduled for December 3.
Various media outlets, including ESPN, reported that Orlando immediately expressed interest in potentially hosting the ACC Football Championship, later confirmed by the Central Florida Sports Commission itself in a news release in partnership with Florida Citrus Sports, the later which would be responsible for negotiating a contract to potentially host the game.
Just received confirmation that Orlando wants to host the ACC football championship game, along w/other ACC neutral-site championship events
— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) September 14, 2016
Orlando is prohibitive favorite as new host of ACC title game, sources told @ESPN. They will meet w/ACC officials on Thursday
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) September 14, 2016
However, the FHSAA has a contract with the Central Florida Sports Commission to host the Drive To December Championship games at Camping World Stadium that coincide on the same weekend as the ACC Football Championship.
The news of the FHSAA keeping Drive To December games in Orlando was announced in late July.
If the ACC were to award the Football Championship to Orlando, something will certainly have to be done about relocation the affected games, which would involve Classes 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A for that weekend.
In the meantime, the FHSAA has deferred all comment to the Central Florida Sports Commission in regards to the recent developments and apparently they haven’t been in contact with the FHSAA, according to a message received by Alison Posey at WTXL-TV in Tallahassee.
From FHSAA on potential conflicting weekend with Camping World hosting ACC Champ game: pic.twitter.com/UAqmFaTeLH
— Alison Posey (@AlisonPosey14) September 14, 2016
FloridaHSFootball.com has reached out via Direct Message on Twitter to the Central Florida Sports Commission seeking comments to questions we have in regards to this news and how they plan to handle affected FHSAA games if they indeed land the ACC Football Championship game. According to Posey though, the Commission is referring them to the ACC with questions.
Reached out to Florida Citrus Sports on if they were interested in hosting Championship game. Referred me to ACC.
— Alison Posey (@AlisonPosey14) September 14, 2016
This is a developing news story. Please check back later for further updates.
