NFL Commissioner Concerned About Jax

[stjr]

Goodell hopes for better numbers in Jacksonville

The Associated Press
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Attendance at Jacksonville Jaguars' home games continues to be a concern for the NFL.

Commissioner Roger Goodell says he's had several talks with Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver about the ongoing issue. The Jaguars often played before a half-filled stadium this season, and Goodell says with attendance around 40,000 per game, "you can't continue to have an NFL franchise."

About 17,000 Jacksonville fans opted not to renew their season tickets this year, many citing the economic climate.

Goodell says the NFL is aware of what's happening in the game's marketplace and the challenges fans and the league's business partners are facing.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/breaking-news/story/1464817.html

[Dapperdan]

The stadium was never half full. Our capacity is not 80,000. It is around 60,000 so it was more like 1/3 empty.

[ac]

He's not saying anything untrue, but he also mentioned that the team has made progress in selling tickets.

The Herald's comment about the 17k non-renewals should apply to last year.  Renewal notices for this year (2010) just went out last week.

The Jaguars reported over 1800 new season ticket sales for the month of January (They sold only 13 in January the previous two years combined).  The year-to-date number was up to 2200 as of this week, per a Champion's Club member.

It's a drop in the bucket, but it shows progress.

[Basstacular]

Not to ignore the ticket issues in Jax, but Oakland averaged 5K less than us in attendance last year.  I think the citizens of Jax will step up this year and show their support.  My group alone consists of 14 ticket holders for 2010, 6 of us are renewals and the other 8 are people who were previous ticket holders or opened new accounts.

[copperfiend]

Progress is being made. He wasn't saying anything that was not already known although I am waiting for the national media to jump on it. Just give it a few hours.

[Shwaz]

Not to ignore the ticket issues in Jax, but Oakland averaged 5K less than us in attendance last year.  I think the citizens of Jax will step up this year and show their support.  My group alone consists of 14 ticket holders for 2010, 6 of us are renewals and the other 8 are people who were previous ticket holders or opened new accounts.

I love posts like this : D

[BridgeTroll]

Mr Goodell needs to direct more of his attention to the coming labor dispute.  I saw some of the NFLPA press conference yesterday and things look pretty grim.  Of course there is plenty of time but the longer each side entrenches the worse it could become.

[Basstacular]

Mr Goodell needs to direct more of his attention to the coming labor dispute.  I saw some of the NFLPA press conference yesterday and things look pretty grim.  Of course there is plenty of time but the longer each side entrenches the worse it could become.

Player rep De Smith when asked what he thought the chances of a lock out would be on a scale of 1 to 10, he answered 14.

[buckethead]

Better to focus on ticket sales in Jax.

"Mr Goodell! Why hasn't the labor dispute been settled? It's 1 week from the opening of training camp and still no deal!"

* "Primarily because ticket sales in our small markets aren't up to snuff. In fact, Jacksonville is the root cause of worldwide hunger."

[BridgeTroll]

Yeah... some of their talking points...

Owners want the NFLPA to take a 18% pay cut...

Owners negotiated the latest TV contract to include a clause that in the event of a strike... they get paid regardless.  The NFLPA calls this "Strike insurance".

[avonjax]

The NFL and the national sports media has made a "whipping boy," out of the Jaguars. According to what I have read several teams in the NFL had major attendance problems last year, including San Diego who made the playoffs. I wish they would SHUT THE "BLANK" UP!!!!
If my facts are incorrect please correct.

[Coolyfett]

Ill say it til my face is blue! America does not want Jacksonville to have that team. The Media does not want Jax to have that team. I really wish Jacksonville would see the big picture and understand it is Jax against the nation. Many teams have went through what Jax went through in 2009......but none have been picked on like Jacksonvillle has been picked.  this is coming from the Miami area, of course they want the Jags gone.

[ac]

Tweet this evening from Jaguars CFO Bill Prescott (@wrpjag):

As of today 2,300 new season tickets sold in the general bowl vs. 2,200 for all of last year. Excellent start but a long way to go

[Keith-N-Jax]

It's positive news.

[ac]

Yep.  Gotta keep combating perception with reality.