Jaguars behind in ticket sales, blackouts loom

[aj_fresh]

If Jaguars fans want to see the team play at home this year, they’re probably going to have to buy a ticket.

The Jaguars may be forced to blackout most, if not all, eight regular season home games on TV.

The Jaguars need to sell 50,000 non-premium seats at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium to lift the blackout, but they’re not close to that figure after finishing their season ticket renewal campaign.

Tim Connolly, the team’s senior vice president for business administration, declined to release the figure of how many non-premium seats they’ve sold, but a league source put the figure in the 35,000-range.

“It’s going to be challenging,’’ Connolly said of the possibility of avoiding blackouts although he’s not giving up and is starting a multifaceted campaign to sell tickets.

In the past, the Jaguars have waited until July to sell halfpacks of five games each for prices starting at $200 a halfpack.

They’ll start to sell them Sunday when they stage their open house select-a-seat event. They’re also having a seat relocation plan for current ticket holders this weekend.

The Jaguars aren’t the only team having problems selling tickets in this sluggish economy. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers reported they had thousands of fans on their waiting list just two years ago, but the list has now evaporated and they have tickets available.

Joel Glazer, the son of Bucs’ owner Malcolm Glazer, told the St. Petersburg Times, “Around the league, there’s no question we are feeling the effects (of the economy) like a lot of other teams.’’

The Jaguars plan to stress group sales. Although they’re usually targeted to corporate clients, the Jaguars are pointing out that if 10 friends or family members get together and buy tickets for a game, they can buy $50 tickets for $40. And they have a family plan for families that buy four  tickets that includes food coupons for a hot dog, nachos and a soft drink.

Connolly said the team is even starting a 12-month payment plan next month for fans who want to buy tickets for the 2010 season.

Connolly also stressed the Jaguars have some of the lowest ticket prices in the league and didn’t raise prices this year. They have season tickets on sale for as low as $390 a ticket.

Still, the odds are against the Jaguars selling 15,000 non-premium tickets between now and the start of the season. Last year, they avoided blackouts, but had sold about 43,000 non-premium season tickets at this point. And last year, the schedule included the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers, whose fans follow them in droves on the road. Neither team is on this year’s schedule

http://jacksonville.com/sports/football/jaguars/2009-05-14/story/jaguars_behind_in_ticket_sales_blackouts_loom

[tufsu1]

lots of sports teams are having problems...MLB attendance is down about 10% (even w/ new stadiums in NYC), and the NBA got $175 million in loans to help out 10-12 teams.

from what I hear, some other NFL teams are also struggling...and I would not be surprised to see the league be a bit more lenient on te blackout rules this year.

[Coolyfett]

I say leagues need to stop expanding for the next 30 years. Especially the NBA. As far as NFL goes, how are ticket sales in Baltimore, Charlotte, San Diego or Seattle? Just listing random cities with the same type of fan base the Jags have. Jags are not the youngest franchise so if the Rams, Ravens, Texans & Titans are doing ok Jags should do ok as well.

[reednavy]

The recession + a horrible season last year = significant slump in ticket sales.

[coredumped]

I never understood why the NFL goes by tickets REMAINING instead of tickets sold. Jacksonville actually does pretty good in ticket sales. I mean, we sell more tickets than the steelers, but because our stadium is so big we run the risk of blackouts. The NFL is way too greedy.

The list of sales for 2008 is here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/attendance

[aj_fresh]

Why does Den and SF have a zero for their home att in 2008?

[copperfiend]

Ticket sales has been an issue with the Jaguars since 1998. After the initial 3 year contract were up, alot of people did not renew. This will continue to be an issue. It took Seattle and Tampa over 20 years to start selling out on a regular basis.

[tufsu1]

I never understood why the NFL goes by tickets REMAINING instead of tickets sold. Jacksonville actually does pretty good in ticket sales. I mean, we sell more tickets than the steelers, but because our stadium is so big we run the risk of blackouts. The NFL is way too greedy.

The list of sales for 2008 is here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/attendance

that's easy...it is based on stadium size...if there are seats remaining, they want to fill thjem before showing the game on TV.

[BridgeTroll]

If you want season tix in Green Bay your parents must sign you up as an infant...   Every year they send a postcard taunting you with your new place on the wait list... 

[Deuce]

Looking at the avg. attendance from the link, we seem to be doing OK given the youth of our franchise. It's definitely unfair the way black outs are determined. We have a tremendous stadium and a small market. If we can get a couple of really good seasons then we may see a good sized rise in our attendance numbers.

[Shwaz]

The Jaguars need to sell 50,000 non-premium seats at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium to lift the blackout, but they’re not close to that figure after finishing their season ticket renewal campaign.

Tim Connolly, the team’s senior vice president for business administration, declined to release the figure of how many non-premium seats they’ve sold, but a league source put the figure in the 35,000-range.

Fear sells tickets. We were behind in ticket sales this time last year too. Soooo we need to sell 15,000 season tix before September - the seat relocation / sign up event is still this weekend. I know a few people going to buy season tix at the event and test drive the new seats. I'm going tomorrow to see if I can move up in my section and maybe pick up a 3rd ticket together. They haven't even released the half pack's yet either.

Saying "most if not all" games will be blacked out is a bold faced lie. We have the Colts on Thursday night - guaranteed sell out - we're hosting last year's NFC champ - the divisional games sell well (except for maybe vs. Houston) - and don't forget about opposing fans. We play Buffalo on Nov.22 - FL is a nice destination when tickets to see your team are available and it's shorts weather too.

[copperfiend]

I know the fear is that the team will relocate to LA but considering Oakland, San Diego, St Louis and Minnesota are also facing similar blackout concerns but also have stadium issues, I don't think we are the most likely to move.

[Jason]

I've been to Jags games that were blacked out but the stands still full.  The problem is selling season tickets.  Its too easy to head to a game on the specific day you want to go and get tickets at the stadium versus buying them ahead of time.

[Basstacular]

I truly don't understand how we cannot sell 50,000 season tickets.  Before I hear all the times are tight talk, let me preface this by saying I am a 27 year old condo home owner.  I am upside down in my home, working in real estate for goodness sake.  However, I support this team through and through and have managed to buy a season ticket.  I am in a lower bowl section and the ticket cost me $660, which I pay in five monthly installments of $132.  I won't be able to attend every game, but feel it is a priviledge and a huge boost for our local economy to have this team here, so I can justify the purchase.  I understand it is just not feasible for some people with families to purchase, but to the fans who use the performance of the team excuse, GIVE ME A BREAK.  Support the team, good or bad, winning and losing...that's what true fans do.

IMO...the Jags are going to suprise the league this year, be much improved and make a playoff push.  So if you can afford it, buy a ticket and support this team.

[Shwaz]

I know the fear is that the team will relocate to LA but considering Oakland, San Diego, St Louis and Minnesota are also facing similar blackout concerns but also have stadium issues, I don't think we are the most likely to move.

This is brought on by fear mongering dick-head sports writer's.
Just recently I read an article that the Jaguars are fighting the rule making them report publicly when they were in the red or lost money over the previous year. They're fighting it because it stirs up the "moving to L.A." rumors. They also stated emphatically that they're not moving the team. They have too much invested in this city and they know that this will be a great NFL market... soon. 

Jacksonville has a huge population of transplant fans that still support their old teams. Their children being born here are the future season ticket holder's and fan base... the organization knows that, that takes time.