Waiver submitted to NCAA would change date of Miami-Florida game

A waiver was submitted to the NCAA in January requesting permission to move up by one week the date of the Florida-Miami game in Orlando to commemorate the 150th anniversary of college football.

ESPN lobbied the schools and Florida Citrus Sports in December to have the game moved from Aug. 31 to Aug. 24, which would mark the earliest start to the season for either school.

“This is a unique and rare opportunity that would showcase college football, both storied programs, and the state of Florida,” read a joint statement released by the schools, ESPN, Florida Citrus Sports and college football’s 150th anniversary organization.

The statement went on to say that all parties, including fans, “need time to make necessary arrangements should the waiver be granted. A decision is anticipated shortly.”

The only other FBS game slated for Aug. 24 is Arizona at Hawaii.

Whenever the date, the game will be the first between Miami and Florida in six years. It will be played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Florida and Miami have already announced that anyone who purchased tickets for the game and cannot go if the date were changed will be reimbursed.

–Field Level Media