5/12/2003 - Football
Philadelphia Awarded The 2009 Army-Navy Football Game
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.-The United States Naval Academy and West Point announced today that Philadelphia has been awarded the 2009 Army-Navy football game.
"This news is an added bonus for Philadelphia and a testament to the hard work and passion put into bidding on this great American classic," said Mayor John Street. "Over the next seven years, Army-Navy games will pump $100 million into the local economy, truly establishing this as Philadelphia's bowl game."
"Philadelphia came back to us with a wonderful opportunity to extend the relationship to 2009," said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. "I have to compliment Philadelphia on its aggressive and focused interest in securing this contest for as many years as it can. Their proactive thinking and very generous support is what has made this game in Philadelphia a reality,"
"Shortly after awarding the 2004 through 2008 Army-Navy games to the cities of Philadelphia and Baltimore, we were pleased that discussions on an additional game for Philadelphia in 2009 progressed rapidly," said West Point Athletic Director Rick Greenspan. "Awarding the 2009 game to Philadelphia demonstrates the academies' enthusiastic support for the rebirth of the Army-Navy game in Philadelphia and realizes a significant financial benefit that is to be derived. We appreciate Philadelphia's energy and the support of so many community leaders."
Philadelphia officials learned April 23 that they would play host to Army-Navy games in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008, in addition to this year's game under the current contract that will be played in Philadelphia's new Lincoln Financial Field on December 6, 2003. Philadelphia has played host to 76 of 103 Army-Navy games.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Army-Navy Host Committee, Philadelphia Eagles and Delaware River Port Authority all contributed to the bid, which was spearheaded by the Philadelphia Sports Congress, a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB).
In September of 2002, the Naval Academy and West Point distributed a formal Request for Proposal to cities around the nation to bid on this event. Fourteen sites expressed interest in hosting the Army-Navy game, which was later narrowed to five. The 2007 game will be held in Baltimore.
Lincoln Financial Field will serve as the home to the Army-Navy game in Philadelphia; the fourth different stadium in Philadelphia where the game has been played. The $395 million, 70,000-seat stadium will open this August.
