The Florida Classic lost its primary sponsor, but Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman aren’t leaving town.

That’s the message both university presidents delivered Friday in the wake of news that the Disney decided not to extend a 10-year sponsorship.

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“This Classic is more than a game. It is a family reunion that has evolved into the greatest competition between two historic universities in the state of Florida,” FAMU President James H. Ammons and B-CU Presisdent Trudie Kibbe Reed said in a joint statement.

Reed and Ammons – and their predecessors – repeatedly have said they like the game in Orlando and don’t want to move it. This is a reaffirmation of that.

However, the 2008 game is the final one in the schools’ contract with FCSports and Orlando. A spokesman for FCSports said the group isn’t ready to talk publicly yet about a new contract.

B-CU and FAMU knew the possibility existed that Disney would choose not to renew its sponsorship, but the presidents hinted Friday they weren’t forewarned about the decision before Disney announced it. Disney paid $2.7 million over 10 years to be a part of the annual football rivalry weekend at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

Disney is now a sponsoring partner for another historically black college or university classic game. That game, set for Aug. 31, will be played Orlando, too. Opponents are still being determined. Neither FAMU nor B-CU will participate in a second game in Orlando.

Florida Citrus Sports, the local non-profit group that helps B-CU and FAMU run the classic, will take the lead on finding another sponsor after Ammons and Reed committed to keeping the game in Orlando.

“The Florida Classic is a powerful brand with passionate fans ready to support companies associated with the event,” FCSports Executive Director Steve Hogan said in a statement. “We believe the classic will enjoy a new partner ready to move with the universities to the next level of excellence.”

Hogan said upon news of Disney’s decision, several Fortune 500 companies contact FCSports about the game. He did not identify the interested companies.

B-CU, FAMU presidents want Florida Classic to stay
Alan Schmadtke
Sentinel Staff Writer
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-bk-classic290808,0,804926,print.story