SEC keeps football title game in Atlanta through 2017

ATLANTA -- The Southeastern Conference has agreed to keep its football championship game at the Georgia Dome through the 2017 season.

SEC Commissioner Mike Slive announced the deal Friday, adding two years to the existing five-year contract.

The game was held for two years in Birmingham, Ala., before moving to Atlanta since 1994. All but one of the games held at the 70,000-seat Georgia Dome has been a sellout, and the last five conference champions have gone on to win the national title.

The NFL Atlanta Falcons are working to build a new outdoor stadium near the Georgia Dome, but officials have stressed that the indoor facility must remain open to host events such as the SEC championship and basketball's Final Four.