Skip to main content
florida logo

Billy Napier explains decision to not televise Florida's spring game

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•04/13/25•

ZachAbolverdi

Florida-Gators-Billy-Napier
Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier looks on during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators did not join a handful of Power 4 teams in canceling their spring game this year. They did, however, decide not to televise it on Saturday.

Fans found out in the days leading up to the Orange & Blue Game that it wouldn’t be broadcasted or streamed by one of the ESPN networks. The only way to watch was in person.

Florida’s spring game was a radio broadcast only, and head coach Billy Napier explained the decision following the Blue’s 38-32 win over the Orange team.

“Once we didn’t necessarily get the call to be one of the prime spots, I think we felt like, ‘Hey, what are the advantages and disadvantages?’ So, gives us the freedom to just call everything,” Napier said. “We also felt like we’d get better attendance. People want to see the show. In general, couldn’t have asked for a better day.”

With the game not on TV, more fans did attend. The announced crowd was 56,563, which marked the largest since 2009 and fourth largest spring game attendance since 1984.

The UF men’s basketball team celebrated its national title in The Swamp, which increased the turnout. Napier said the hoops halftime celebration also impacted the TV decision.

“The basketball team wins the National Championship, and I think that just was the icing on the cake there from a decision-making standpoint,” he said. “So, it was a great day and we’re very thankful for the fans that came out and for the basketball team to be recognized at halftime. We couldn’t have asked for much better. So, in general, we don’t have to worry about what’s on tape and obviously people aren’t evaluating our twos and threes in the depth chart.”

The official X account for Florida Gators Football still posted clips of all but one of the touchdowns in the spring game as well as Drake Stubbs’ interception. Gators Online also posted a highlight video with plays you didn’t see on social media (see below).

“I thought it was an awesome idea by the athletic department to kind of join up the Orange and Blue game with the celebration for the national championship team and Coach [Todd] Golden, recognize those seniors and also those guys that are coming back,” Napier said. “Man, we’re very thankful for the crowd. Never fails our fans show up and show out, and I thought it was an unbelievable day in there.”

Spring game highlights

You may also like