A MetLife Stadium spokesperson on Thursday said that N.Y./N.J. "will not bid" on the '18, '19 or '20 CFP championship games, according to Brett McMurphy of ESPN.com. Sources said that Orlando also has "decided not to bid on the next three available title games because it is targeting the next cycle of championship games" beginning in '21. The deadline to turn in the CFP's request for proposal for the '18-20 championship games "is late May." At least six cities/communities "remain undecided" on bidding, including Arlington, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, New Orleans and Pasadena. Meanwhile, sources said that seven cities/communities "have decided to bid" on the '18-20 title games, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Minneapolis, San Antonio, Santa Clara and South Florida (ESPN.com, 4/16). In Orlando, Matt Murschel notes the city's decision not to bid "came down to timing." Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan: "We want to be careful to think about what’s the best foot forward for this community in terms of hosting one and it just seems most logical that 2021 and beyond would be the right time." He added, "In no way is it indicative of desire for our city to have one, it’s just more about the right opportunity and the window of time to have one.” Murschel notes another "key factor in the decision" was the development of Interstate 4, which is "expected to take up to six years to complete presenting massive logistical challenges" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 4/17).
