QuoteThe Times-Union
The Jaguars had no immediate comment Wednesday night on a Philadelphia Daily News report that team owner Wayne Weaver is negotiating to sell the team to billionaire C. Dean Metropoulos, who could move the team to Los Angeles.
Team spokesman Ryan Robinson said Weaver was traveling on Wednesday and wouldn’t be available until today.
Metropoulos, 61, the former chairman and chief executive officer of New Jersey-based Pinnacle Foods, denied the newspaper’s report.
“I must tell you I haven’t had any such discussions,†Metropoulos was quoted in the Daily News. “I wouldn’t know how to give you any credibility to that because I don’t know anything about it.â€
The Daily News reported that discussions between Weaver and Metropoulos are being brokered by Sal Galatioto of the New York sports investment firm Galatioto Sports Partners. The newspaper reported that Metropoulos previously has tried to buy two other NFL franchises â€" the Oakland Raiders and the Miami Dolphins â€" but was unsuccessful.
Metropoulos, according to the report, is interested in a 100 percent purchase of the Jaguars immediately, though unnamed sources told the paper he would keep Weaver on for two years while he learns how to operate an NFL franchise. The sources told the newspaper that Metropoulos would bring in minority partners with him, and that the Jaguars would be a candidate to move to Los Angeles, which is seeking an NFL team.
Weaver has consistently denied any interest in selling in the team, though he acknowledged last year that has was looking for additional investors for the franchise.
The Jaguars, who joined the league in 1995, reached the second round of the AFC playoffs last season, but had three of their eight home games blacked out because they weren’t sold out. They’re consistently mentioned in media reports as a candidate to move to Los Angeles, but Weaver has consistently denied that the team is for sale.
http://news.jacksonville.com/justin/2008/07/09/report-weaver-trying-to-sell-jaguars/
Well, I hope it's not true, but damn that would suck.
I will say this - it may be a bit premature. What I get is that the Philadelphia Daily News reported that a local Billionaire wants to buy the Jaguars, but no mention of what Weaver responded with.
It's not as if Weaver and the team have not admitted that a minority stake in the team may be sold. This is from a Times-Union article from 06/21/2007:
Quote(Jaguars CFO Bill) Prescott also said the Jaguars have put their search for new minority investors on hold until the end of the season. They have hired a New York investment firm, Galatioto Sports Partners, to help them find new investors so they could reduce their $110 million debt.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/062107/jag_179065644.shtml (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/062107/jag_179065644.shtml)
I have highlighted the investment firm because the article mentions this firm as possibly brokering their rumored deal. Who is to say that Weaver may not be negotiating to sell a minority share as mentioned in the article from June of last year?
Weaver just stated in the T-U interview that he was not selling the team off. So, unless he is a huge liar, this must be a false rumor. Time will tell. I am hoping on the minority partner instead. This is certainly not good for ticket sales.
Holy crap...message boards all over the place are overflowing with people freaking the F out. All kinds of people are coming out of the woodwork to express love/hate for the team.
The national media sure knows how to make Jacksonville dance when it wants to...by shooting "bullets" at its feet. It's freaking really funny, in a sick kind of way, that our own media outlets can do no better than re-report the original story.
I don't know River, it doesn't look like the potential buyer is interested in being a minority owner. Here is a quote from the Philadelphia Daily News:
QuoteMetropoulos is interested in a 100 percent purchase of the Jaguars immediately, though sources indicated he would keep Weaver on for 2 years while he learns how to operate an NFL franchise. The sources said he would bring in minority partners with him, including one in the entertainment business.
If Metropoulos buys the Jags, it probably won't bode well for the city of Jacksonville. The Jaguars, who entered the league as an expansion franchise in 1995, have been one of the teams that have been most often mentioned as a candidate to eventually relocate to Los Angeles. They've struggled for years to sell out their games at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, and Weaver recently laid off several members of his marketing staff to save money.
The full article can be viewed at http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/sports/20080709_Steelers__Jaguars_might_soon_have_new_owners.html (http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/sports/20080709_Steelers__Jaguars_might_soon_have_new_owners.html)
Quote from: stephendare on July 09, 2008, 10:37:12 PM
Quote from: RiversideGator on July 09, 2008, 10:27:16 PM
Weaver just stated in the T-U interview that he was not selling the team off. So, unless he is a huge liar, this must be a false rumor. Time will tell. I am hoping on the minority partner instead. This is certainly not good for ticket sales.
well was it ever certified that Weaver said this?
This sounds a little breathless on your part, River.
I doubt that this is really anything to worry about.
I am referring to piece from a legitimate news outlet. The statements by Weaver were also in a legitimate news outlet. No parallel here.
Weaver did say that not too long ago - I remember it as well.
I'll see if I can find it.
Even if they are sold, I don't see the team moving. Teams move because of bad stadiums and bad stadium leases. The Jaguars have neither.
I remember seeing a quote to that effect recently, too. Hopefully, Steve or River can dig it up.
Of course, owners and buyers of professional sports team often do a dance for several months where their comments rarely match their actions, e.g., rumors surrounding the sell of the Nashville Predators, the Seattle Sonics, etc.
I'm a Tennessee Titans fan, but I would hate to see the Jags leave. That would be a major blow to Jacksonville.
Quote from: copperfiend on July 09, 2008, 11:06:48 PM
Even if they are sold, I don't see the team moving. Teams move because of bad stadiums and bad stadium leases. The Jaguars have neither.
and bad fan support. that, the Jags do have.
Dan Hicken from FCN mentioned that Weaver will have a statement in the AM - apparently he is travelling.
Now, even if this turns out to be false, the man is 73. At some point, this is going to happen.
Good point about the ticket sales, River. This is a quote from the TU message board:
Quote
How can the Jaguars have the [audacity] to launch a major ticket sales campaign and during that same week negotiate the sale of the team to a potential buyer that sees the road to L.A. paved in dollar signs?
There is no stadium in LA. There is no stadium being built in LA...so even if the rumor is true it wouldn't happen for maybe
5 years. The Jags doing the shady, backdoor business deal now and not going public with it here first would single-handedly kill their ticket sales for their remaining stay, not to mention kill off all merchandise sales etc. by pulling a stunt like this.
But who knows? Maybe WW could care less what anyone in this city thinks? It is most definitely going to be a day to remember media-wise tomorrow. Let the games begin...
(and if they did go what does the city's identity become then...bloodstained streets?)
Quote from: thebrokenforum on July 09, 2008, 11:13:08 PM(and if they did go what does the city's identity become then...bloodstained streets?)
think... Columbia, SC
With that said, as long as a new stadium was on the way, if the Jaguars made a commitment to move to Los Angeles, the other 31 owners would probably help them pack. Remember, in the NFL revenue is shared all over the place, especially with TV contracts. How much more valuable does the NFL's TV contract become in the #2 media market?
Quote from: thebrokenforum on July 09, 2008, 11:13:08 PM
Good point about the ticket sales, River. This is a quote from the TU message board:
Quote
How can the Jaguars have the [audacity] to launch a major ticket sales campaign and during that same week negotiate the sale of the team to a potential buyer that sees the road to L.A. paved in dollar signs?
There is no stadium in LA. There is no stadium being built in LA...so even if the rumor is true it wouldn't happen for maybe 5 years. The Jags doing the shady, backdoor business deal now and not going public with it here first would single-handedly kill their ticket sales for their remaining stay, not to mention kill off all merchandise sales etc. by pulling a stunt like this.
But who knows? Maybe WW could care less what anyone in this city thinks? It is most definitely going to be a day to remember media-wise tomorrow. Let the games begin...
(and if they did go what does the city's identity become then...bloodstained streets?)
With that said, as long as a new stadium was on the way, if the Jaguars made a commitment to move to Los Angeles, the other 31 owners would probably help them pack. Remember, in the NFL revenue is shared all over the place, especially with TV contracts. How much more valuable does the NFL's TV contract become in the #2 media market?
Quoteas long as a new stadium was on the way
That's just it though...it's not yet. I'm not saying it won't be but so far it's not.
Man, are you guys reading any other boards? People are flipping out. It's like a small part of the population has been waiting for this to happen and are finally venting or something. People are saying some ugly stuff. Reminds me of the people in Frankenstein with pitchforks and torches.
Quote from: Driven1 on July 09, 2008, 11:09:12 PM
Quote from: copperfiend on July 09, 2008, 11:06:48 PM
Even if they are sold, I don't see the team moving. Teams move because of bad stadiums and bad stadium leases. The Jaguars have neither.
and bad fan support. that, the Jags do have.
I guess that depends on your definition of bad fan support. Check the attendance numbers from 2007. The Jags averaged 65k, which was good enough for 23rd in the league. That puts them ahead of other teams with bad fan support such as Dallas, Chicago and Pittsburgh.
Quote from: copperfiend on July 09, 2008, 11:24:34 PM
Quote from: Driven1 on July 09, 2008, 11:09:12 PM
Quote from: copperfiend on July 09, 2008, 11:06:48 PM
Even if they are sold, I don't see the team moving. Teams move because of bad stadiums and bad stadium leases. The Jaguars have neither.
and bad fan support. that, the Jags do have.
I guess that depends on your definition of bad fan support. Check the attendance numbers from 2007. The Jags averaged 65k, which was good enough for 23rd in the league. That puts them ahead of other teams with bad fan support such as Dallas, Chicago and Pittsburgh.
Dallas has one hockey team, one NBA team, an NFL team
Chicago has 2 baseball teams, one NBA team, one hockey team and one NFL team
Pittsburgh has one baseball team, one hockey team and one NFL team
Jax has one NFL team
and we can't do better than 23rd?
it's just the mentality around here - that college is better than pros.
Have people forgotten that LA is a terrible NFL market? They have run off several teams already. They just dont support teams there. They think they are too cool for all that - or they dont speak English and are soccer fans.
I think it's just a matter of market percentage. We have to sell a ticket to one out of every 13 people. No other sports franchise in america has that high of a ratio. Admittedly, that's tough.
River - more important for LA than the attendance is the TV deal and sponsorships. They will sell out with just business tickets.
Quoteit's just the mentality around here - that college is better than pros.
That mentality built a ginormous stadium that would be tough to fill in many NFL cities. If they had a stadium the size of the Colts new stadium, ticket sales would have a waiting list by now.
You know what would be really screwed up? If the rumor is true and they say they're moving to LA and then go on to win the super bowl THIS season. Lol. That
could happen and
that would be insanity.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the TV deal is a national deal so the specific markets dont matter as long as the ratings are good nationally. Also, there were a lot of people and corporations in LA before for the Raiders/Rams and there was still not enough support to keep those teams there.
Quote from: Driven1 on July 09, 2008, 11:27:50 PM
[
it's just the mentality around here - that college is better than pros.
Now remember that Jax went a VERY long time without any pro team. The Jags are our first (yes, we had the Bulls, but Im talking PRO-NFL). For a VERY long time this City was either Gators or Noles and those allegiances are still in full force (Ive got a UF tag on my Accord right now). Jacksonville LOVES football but old habits die hard. The perfect example is the yearly Fla/Ga game that always breaks attendance and drinking records.
I watch all Jags games and always route for the home team but, admittedly, Ive never paid to see a game in the stadium. Ive depended on family members passing them off or freebies from clients.
The problem with the Jags, and every other event in Jax, is that the marketers and event planners arent doing an effective job of getting the "audience" energized and pumped to contribute and attend.
No way the Jags are leaving! We love football too much.
Football hasn't been successful in LA due to stadium issues...the coliseum is gigantic and in really, really crappy condition. If a new stadium were built there, it would be privately funded and much, much smaller - to the tune of standard stadium size nowadays - 63k. LA's inability to keep an NFL team there has absolutely nothing to do with anyone speaking english or watching flippin soccer.
Quote from: thebrokenforum on July 09, 2008, 11:57:59 PM
Football hasn't been successful in LA due to stadium issues...the coliseum is gigantic and in really, really crappy condition. If a new stadium were built there, it would be privately funded and much, much smaller - to the tune of standard stadium size nowadays - 63k. LA's inability to keep an NFL team there has absolutely nothing to do with anyone speaking english or watching flippin soccer.
So true! And I laugh continuously at those who say its due to language and soccer. LA doesnt need a NFL team though, theres way too much other crap going on in that godforsaken hellhole (yes, even west hollywood!).
So, ummm, who here is a season ticket holder and for how long?
For UF or wha?......
Jags season Ticker holder for 2 years, family has been since the 1996
Driven, can you read or do you just really enjoy keeping these things going??
QuoteFootball hasn't been successful in LA due to stadium issues...the coliseum is gigantic and in really, really crappy condition. If a new stadium were built there, it would be privately funded and much, much smaller - to the tune of standard stadium size nowadays - 63k. LA's inability to keep an NFL team there has absolutely nothing to do with anyone speaking english or watching flippin soccer.
LA Coliseum = 90,000 seats
Quote from: thebrokenforum on July 09, 2008, 11:32:33 PM
Quoteit's just the mentality around here - that college is better than pros.
That mentality built a ginormous stadium that would be tough to fill in many NFL cities. If they had a stadium the size of the Colts new stadium, ticket sales would have a waiting list by now.
You know what would be really screwed up? If the rumor is true and they say they're moving to LA and then go on to win the super bowl THIS season. Lol. That could happen and that would be insanity.
The stadium was built that size because of Ga-Fla. At the time, it was bigger than the Jaguars. That is no longer the case. If they could do it again, I am sure they would build a stadium with a capacity in the low 60's like Pittsburgh did.
QuoteThe stadium was built that size because of Ga-Fla. At the time, it was bigger than the Jaguars. That is no longer the case. If they could do it again, I am sure they would build a stadium with a capacity in the low 60's like Pittsburgh did.
Exactly. Can you imagine a 90,000 seat stadium here? Lol. Like I said if they put a new stadium in LA it'll be much smaller and privately funded. The past is irrelevant in LA. Do I think they
deserve another team? No. But it looks like in a few years they will have another one.
NFL attendance...
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/attendance
NFL stadium capacity...
http://www.stadiumsofnfl.com/capacity.htm
If Wayne Weaver legitimately wasn't thinking about selling, and all of this is just based on some newspaper's speculation, the response I've seen from local citizens online and around town this morning certainly won't do us any favors in the future with Weaver. It's like half the city is ready and willing to crucify the guy for something that hasn't even been confirmed by a second source or picked up by ESPN yet.
It would be nice if Weaver was given the benefit of the doubt until the full story comes out.
I agree wth Ken, I will hold judgement on Weaver or the Jags until all this is confirmed. I surely would hate to see our Jags sold. I love going to the games and watching them on TV when they arent blacked out! You would think for such a hotbed of football we could sell the stadium, but unless its the Gators playing forget it!
Go GATORS fsujax!
QuoteStatement from Wayne Weaver
July 10, 2008
“In light of news reports from last night, I must once again reiterate the fact that I am not selling the Jaguars. The team is not for sale, and I cannot say it any more clearly than that. I’m not going to speculate about the future â€" whatever happens in the future, the Jaguars will be the Jacksonville Jaguars. The situation is the same as it was last year when I explained that we were looking into refinancing some debt and the possibility of adding investors. We chose not to, but that has always been an option. That is the situation now, as it was then.
“The clearest example I can offer which demonstrates my commitment to this team and this city is our offseason activity this year. We extended lucrative contracts to our head coach, our quarterback, and several veteran players. And we spent aggressively in free agency as well. Those are not moves that are made if a team is going to be sold. I don’t know how I can be any stronger in reconfirming my commitment to bringing a championship to Jacksonville.
“We’re excited and energized about the upcoming season and we want our fans to be as excited as we are.â€
No real surprise. This team among a handful of teams favored to win the Super Bowl.
Now get out there and buy tickets... No Blackouts this year!!!
I think this is a media ploy possibly orchestrated by the Jaguars leadership to:
1) Get people to buy more tickets
2) Get people to renew or increase their interest in the team and increase attendance
3) Get North Florida/South Georgia and other fans to come to Jaguar games so he won't have to sell the team
which would probably result in a relocation or move if sold to a new owner.
Bottom line...get off your ass Jacksonville and support your football team or you're going to lose the Jaguars and lose them soon; you cried, yearned, and boo hooed for one, and now you don't support it. If they did leave, then the Jax media, citizens and leaders would pretend to be at a loss as to why they left, pointing fingers here and pointing fingers there regarding who to blame, and of course a huge void would have to be filled; and I'll bet it wouldn't be filled very soon because the NFL is not going to put a team in a city whose track record of support is poor at best.
SUPPORT YOUR TEAM JACKSONVILLE!!!!!!!
Heights Unknown
Quote from: thebrokenforum on July 10, 2008, 08:34:45 AM
QuoteThe stadium was built that size because of Ga-Fla. At the time, it was bigger than the Jaguars. That is no longer the case. If they could do it again, I am sure they would build a stadium with a capacity in the low 60's like Pittsburgh did.
Exactly. Can you imagine a 90,000 seat stadium here? Lol. Like I said if they put a new stadium in LA it'll be much smaller and privately funded. The past is irrelevant in LA. Do I think they deserve another team? No. But it looks like in a few years they will have another one.
And...though they may get another football team, let's not forget that Los Angeles very weakly supported the Rams while they were there, and they rarely filled up the Rose Bowl/LA Coliseum, very rarely. Also, look how long it took for the NFL to finally come around and say that they wanted another football team in Los Angeles.
So if we lose the Jags, don't look for us to immediately get another football team to play in our NFL tier stadum; so in essence, we really need to buckle down, all of the First Coast and beyond that know and love jags football, and support the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Heights Unknown
Quote from: heights unknown on July 10, 2008, 10:27:57 AM
I think this is a media ploy possibly orchestrated by the Jaguars leadership to:
1) Get people to buy more tickets
2) Get people to renew or increase their interest in the team and increase attendance
3) Get North Florida/South Georgia and other fans to come to Jaguar games so he won't have to sell the team
which would probably result in a relocation or move if sold to a new owner.
Bottom line...get off your ass Jacksonville and support your football team or you're going to lose the Jaguars and lose them soon; you cried, yearned, and boo hooed for one, and now you don't support it. If they did leave, then the Jax media, citizens and leaders would pretend to be at a loss as to why they left, pointing fingers here and pointing fingers there regarding who to blame, and of course a huge void would have to be filled; and I'll bet it wouldn't be filled very soon because the NFL is not going to put a team in a city whose track record of support is poor at best.
SUPPORT YOUR TEAM JACKSONVILLE!!!!!!!
Heights Unknown
Exactly...Loud applause... Cheering... :o :o :o
Quote from: thebrokenforum on July 09, 2008, 11:32:33 PM
Quoteit's just the mentality around here - that college is better than pros.
That mentality built a ginormous stadium that would be tough to fill in many NFL cities. If they had a stadium the size of the Colts new stadium, ticket sales would have a waiting list by now.
You know what would be really screwed up? If the rumor is true and they say they're moving to LA and then go on to win the super bowl THIS season. Lol. That could happen and that would be insanity.
Would be a pissed off city wouldn't it? Boy you'd really see the "whose to blame and who's fault is it" questions fired around the city. The whole City's heart would be broken and torn apart I will tell you; and...Jax already has an identity problem, this would really stick the dagger in the heart and label Jacksonville, "The Big City that couldn't."
Even though this could be a psychological media ploy by Weaver and his Staff, don't ever discount threats (Remember Bob Irsay and the Colts; they threatened to move and then stated they weren't moving either and then stole away in the night to Indianapolis).
So again...SUPPORT YOUR FOOTBALL TEAM JACKSONVILLE.
Heights Unknown
I am happy to see this rumor has been dispelled. It must be annoying to Weaver, who is probably on vacation, to see these reports of him selling the team repeatedly come up. This happens at least once a year. I think he is a good guy and we should all give him the benefit of the doubt here. I have seen no reason to believe that he is not totally honest. Now let's get out there and support the Jags and forget about all this. :)
Riverside;
Yeah Weaver appears to be a good guy, and he may be a good guy; but he is also a business man.
This rumor has not been dispelled yet because Weaver says that the rumors are not true. Sometimes things go on in the land of the rich and famous that us peasants know nothing about.
How about this scenario: Rather than hurt the City's feelings by openly threatening to move the team, the smart thing to do would be to secretly orchestrate rumors of a move. Let's face it, these millionaires and billionaires, liasion with each other and do each other a favor now and then. It wouldn't surprise me if Weaver did get on the phone and asked this guy to assist him in orchestrating this rumor in order to get Northeast Florida, North Florida and the First Coast off their ass to support the Jaguars.
Again, never discount threats or rumors, ever! If weak attendance and/or non-support continues, I'll bet my bank account, as small and insignficant as it is, that Weaver will sell this team without any announcement or rumors, and.......this will be done in the not so distant future if Jacksonville continues taking the Jaguars for granted and not supporting them.
Weaver has to pay bills too; so he has to make money off of his investment or sell it.
Heights Unknown
Dont forget that Weaver's (and his partners') initial investment of about $140 million 12 years ago is now worth $700-1,000 million. And, in most years they have turned a profit. Also, long term trends here are clearly positive. All we can do is buy tickets, enjoy the team, and have faith in Weaver.
I'll make one more post and this might be it for me regarding posting to this thread.
I want everyone to think, think deeply and hard about how Jax was before the Jaguars. Mind you, Jax still has a long way to go to reach its full potential, but, compared to then, Jax has long past the yawning stage after she woke up, and is now fully awake and ready to take on the world.
I left Jax in 1995, August 1995 for Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I have kept tabs on Jax since that time. The Jaguars had not even played their first game when I left. The buzz around town was the Jacksonville Jaguars; that was the only thing on the table to talk about. No Peninsula, No San Marco Place, No pocket park, No new library, nothing was on the table, virtually nothing, regarding new developments, highways, and the population of the metro area was well under one million.
I firmly believe that one of the reasons Jacksonville began stirring was because of the Jaguars. The nation and the world knew very little about Jacksonville before (pre) Jaguars. The Jaguars Have provided Jacksonville with an almost free marketing and promotional campaign that has aided immensely in putting our City on the map. Yes, I live in Sarasota-Bradenton, but I spent over two decades in Jacksonville and I know and still love MY City. Jacksonville has grown in leaps and bounds since the Jags came on the scene, and I believe this would not have happened if it were not for the Jags. I also believe that our metro area would not have exceeded the one million mark until probably about now (2000 I believe was when Jax metro went over one million and now we're fast growing, about 1.5 million now).
I also think back, with great fondness, of when Jax was trying to get a football team. The media in Jax was abuzz of how we could get a franchise but our chances were slim to none; and then Jax showed the world that it was indeed the "Big City that Could, Can, and Would!"
And now, 13+ years later, with much prosperity and rewards given it, Jax has become complacent and are taking the Jaguars for granted. "Let someone else go and support them, I'll watch them on TV;" this mentality has got to stop. The people of Jax need to be thankful for the Jaguars and show their thankfulness in the form of physical support. There are Cities out there that are hungry, like Jacksonville was, for a National Football League Franchise; and they would love to tear the Jaguars away from Jacksonville, change the name, and then that superbowl trophy would go to that city instead of Jax. This is not the way that Jacksonvillians wanted it to be. Our dream was to get an NFL Franchise, show the world who we were through that Franchise, and then bring home a Vince Lombardi Trophy to Jacksonville, Florida; and now those dreams are in peril and in jeopardy.
Some may say that Weaver won't move the team as he has stated that he won't; and that the rumors are just that, rumors; well, sometimes rumors if not found to in fact be rumors, will become fact and truth; even if the focal point of those rumors somehow dismiss them or dispell them. Remember, sometimes rumors are started to provoke change or to provoke fear in order to induce change. And I firmly believe this is what Wayne Weaver is doing. He loves Jacksonville; and does not want to hurt Jacksonville; so the best way to not hurt Jax is to initiate a harmless rumor in hopes that it will induce, provoke or incite change into what he (Weaver) is desiring, and that is support of his football team from a City that he loves.
Support your team Jacksonville. Remember the phrase, "use it or lose it?" Well this phrase may soon prove true to Jacksonville if we don't start using the Jaguars in terms of fan support.
Heights Unknown
I feel bad for WW as he was obviously upset about this ugly rumor.
Quote“I’m frustrated. People take things out of context,†Weaver said, his voice choked with emotion. “This team is not going to California. This team is the Jacksonville Jaguars. I don’t know how I can do anything more to reaffirm my commitment. I want our fans to get as excited as I am.
Back to my original point - the national media sure knows how to push our buttons. That has to change. We need thicker skin or need to stop being so paranoid. I hope WW didn't read some of the crap that was posted on the TU message board. Yeesh. This rumor brought out a lot of animosity and frustration, which honestly, I think has less to do with the Jags than it does with everything else that is screwy right now. Anyway, Go Jags! Training camp in less than a month. ;D
Quote from: RiversideGator on July 10, 2008, 11:08:48 AM
Dont forget that Weaver's (and his partners') initial investment of about $140 million 12 years ago is now worth $700-1,000 million. And, in most years they have turned a profit. Also, long term trends here are clearly positive. All we can do is buy tickets, enjoy the team, and have faith in Weaver.
True; but don't take them (Jaguars) for granted, and, don't take Wayne Weaver lightly. He is a multi-millionaire and a Business Man. The sum total of all of this is profit and money; he didn't invest in the Jaguars to lose money or just have a team around for everyone to enjoy without making money. Long term trends change, they don't always remain the same. So support your football team.
One more thing, yeah we can have faith in Weaver, but if we don't support the team and Weaver is not making profit, Weaver will lose faith in Jacksonville and may sell the team resulting in the new Owner moving the team.
Heights Unknown
Quote from: thebrokenforum on July 10, 2008, 11:30:52 AM
I feel bad for WW as he was obviously upset about this ugly rumor.
Quote“I’m frustrated. People take things out of context,†Weaver said, his voice choked with emotion. “This team is not going to California. This team is the Jacksonville Jaguars. I don’t know how I can do anything more to reaffirm my commitment. I want our fans to get as excited as I am.
Back to my original point - the national media sure knows how to push our buttons. That has to change. We need thicker skin or need to stop being so paranoid. I hope WW didn't read some of the crap that was posted on the TU message board. Yeesh. This rumor brought out a lot of animosity and frustration, which honestly, I think has less to do with the Jags than it does with everything else that is screwy right now. Anyway, Go Jags! Training camp in less than a month. ;D
His emotions were probably for real; but anyone can garner emmy award winning performances. Don't believe everything you see on TV. Support your football team.
Heights Unknown
Quote from: thebrokenforum on July 10, 2008, 11:30:52 AM
I feel bad for WW as he was obviously upset about this ugly rumor.
Quote“I’m frustrated. People take things out of context,†Weaver said, his voice choked with emotion. “This team is not going to California. This team is the Jacksonville Jaguars. I don’t know how I can do anything more to reaffirm my commitment. I want our fans to get as excited as I am.
Back to my original point - the national media sure knows how to push our buttons. That has to change. We need thicker skin or need to stop being so paranoid. I hope WW didn't read some of the crap that was posted on the TU message board. Yeesh. This rumor brought out a lot of animosity and frustration, which honestly, I think has less to do with the Jags than it does with everything else that is screwy right now. Anyway, Go Jags! Training camp in less than a month. ;D
I think the reason for the paranoia is real... empty seats... TV blackouts... for a playoff contending team. This team has been on the rise for a couple years now and fan support can be described as lackluster or luke warm.
Use it or lose it is the correct phrase...
Quote from: heights unknown on July 10, 2008, 10:27:57 AM
I think this is a media ploy possibly orchestrated by the Jaguars leadership to:
1) Get people to buy more tickets
2) Get people to renew or increase their interest in the team and increase attendance
3) Get North Florida/South Georgia and other fans to come to Jaguar games so he won't have to sell the team
which would probably result in a relocation or move if sold to a new owner.
Bottom line...get off your ass Jacksonville and support your football team or you're going to lose the Jaguars and lose them soon; you cried, yearned, and boo hooed for one, and now you don't support it. If they did leave, then the Jax media, citizens and leaders would pretend to be at a loss as to why they left, pointing fingers here and pointing fingers there regarding who to blame, and of course a huge void would have to be filled; and I'll bet it wouldn't be filled very soon because the NFL is not going to put a team in a city whose track record of support is poor at best.
SUPPORT YOUR TEAM JACKSONVILLE!!!!!!!
Heights Unknown
I disagree that this is some grand conspiracy by the team to get more tickets sold.
If that was indeed the case, the outlet breaking the story wouldn't be an online blog for the Philly Daily News.
Ticket sales aren't the issue that ails this team the most. They are simply the most visible problem that this team has to contend with since THAT is precisely what the media likes to fixate on and use as some sort of a measuring tool for fan support. Blackouts have nothing to do with fan passion, but that's not how the mainstream media tends to look at them.
What is truly an issue here is corporate support. You have a stadium that has no name sponsor. You've got luxury suites that are going unsold. You've got club and other premium seating that would normally be bought up by corporate entities that are sitting there available.
It's good to avoid the blackouts because that removes at least one stigma from the city, but in reality it's not the real issue at all. Fans should buy the tickets if they have the means. But, companies that are sitting on their hands who have the resources to make block purchases or partner with the team, they need to be pressed to step up and do it. Otherwise the Jags will relocate.
Quote from: heights unknown on July 10, 2008, 11:33:29 AM
Quote from: RiversideGator on July 10, 2008, 11:08:48 AM
Dont forget that Weaver's (and his partners') initial investment of about $140 million 12 years ago is now worth $700-1,000 million. And, in most years they have turned a profit. Also, long term trends here are clearly positive. All we can do is buy tickets, enjoy the team, and have faith in Weaver.
True; but don't take them (Jaguars) for granted, and, don't take Wayne Weaver lightly. He is a multi-millionaire and a Business Man. The sum total of all of this is profit and money; he didn't invest in the Jaguars to lose money or just have a team around for everyone to enjoy without making money. Long term trends change, they don't always remain the same. So support your football team.
One more thing, yeah we can have faith in Weaver, but if we don't support the team and Weaver is not making profit, Weaver will lose faith in Jacksonville and may sell the team resulting in the new Owner moving the team.
Heights Unknown
The idea that he is not making a profit is such a joke I cannot believe anyone would seriously peddle it. While year-to-year revenues may not "profitable" the overall value of the franchise has ballooned incredibly. He paid around $200M and it is now easily worth $800M or more.
quit crying for this corporate-welfare-taking POS he's making money by the boat loads, but people want to pity him because-- tearing up here-- we're not selling out the staidum every game. boo-f'ing-hoo.
Nobody is pitying him. The question is do you want the team to stay or not... sounds like you do not care. Thats OK but the community as a whole benefits from them staying.
Quote from: heights unknown on July 10, 2008, 11:22:38 AM
I'll make one more post and this might be it for me regarding posting to this thread.
I want everyone to think, think deeply and hard about how Jax was before the Jaguars. Mind you, Jax still has a long way to go to reach its full potential, but, compared to then, Jax has long past the yawning stage after she woke up, and is now fully awake and ready to take on the world.
I left Jax in 1995, August 1995 for Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I have kept tabs on Jax since that time. The Jaguars had not even played their first game when I left. The buzz around town was the Jacksonville Jaguars; that was the only thing on the table to talk about. No Peninsula, No San Marco Place, No pocket park, No new library, nothing was on the table, virtually nothing, regarding new developments, highways, and the population of the metro area was well under one million.
I firmly believe that one of the reasons Jacksonville began stirring was because of the Jaguars. The nation and the world knew very little about Jacksonville before (pre) Jaguars. The Jaguars Have provided Jacksonville with an almost free marketing and promotional campaign that has aided immensely in putting our City on the map. Yes, I live in Sarasota-Bradenton, but I spent over two decades in Jacksonville and I know and still love MY City. Jacksonville has grown in leaps and bounds since the Jags came on the scene, and I believe this would not have happened if it were not for the Jags. I also believe that our metro area would not have exceeded the one million mark until probably about now (2000 I believe was when Jax metro went over one million and now we're fast growing, about 1.5 million now).
I also think back, with great fondness, of when Jax was trying to get a football team. The media in Jax was abuzz of how we could get a franchise but our chances were slim to none; and then Jax showed the world that it was indeed the "Big City that Could, Can, and Would!"
And now, 13+ years later, with much prosperity and rewards given it, Jax has become complacent and are taking the Jaguars for granted. "Let someone else go and support them, I'll watch them on TV;" this mentality has got to stop. The people of Jax need to be thankful for the Jaguars and show their thankfulness in the form of physical support. There are Cities out there that are hungry, like Jacksonville was, for a National Football League Franchise; and they would love to tear the Jaguars away from Jacksonville, change the name, and then that superbowl trophy would go to that city instead of Jax. This is not the way that Jacksonvillians wanted it to be. Our dream was to get an NFL Franchise, show the world who we were through that Franchise, and then bring home a Vince Lombardi Trophy to Jacksonville, Florida; and now those dreams are in peril and in jeopardy.
Some may say that Weaver won't move the team as he has stated that he won't; and that the rumors are just that, rumors; well, sometimes rumors if not found to in fact be rumors, will become fact and truth; even if the focal point of those rumors somehow dismiss them or dispell them. Remember, sometimes rumors are started to provoke change or to provoke fear in order to induce change. And I firmly believe this is what Wayne Weaver is doing. He loves Jacksonville; and does not want to hurt Jacksonville; so the best way to not hurt Jax is to initiate a harmless rumor in hopes that it will induce, provoke or incite change into what he (Weaver) is desiring, and that is support of his football team from a City that he loves.
Support your team Jacksonville. Remember the phrase, "use it or lose it?" Well this phrase may soon prove true to Jacksonville if we don't start using the Jaguars in terms of fan support.
Heights Unknown
Wow, that is some BS.
Jackosnville wouldn't have progressed without the Jags? ARE YOU CRAZY?
This really shows how the NFL has brainwashed everyone into thinking pro sports have some huge, demonstrable effect, economically, on an area, when, in fact, quite the opposite is true when you read research papers on the topic (as I had to in grad school).
Everything in that posting was an unsubstantiated assertion asserted as fact.
I mean, wow, you are drinking some Jags Kool-Aid, friend.
Quote from: BridgeTroll on July 10, 2008, 12:16:22 PM
Nobody is pitying him. The question is do you want the team to stay or not... sounds like you do not care. Thats OK but the community as a whole benefits from them staying.
Really? The community as a WHOLE benefits?
That's awesome, because, though I love football, I am sure the hundreds of thousands who literally don't care at all, but still have their tax dollars spent to pay the Jags' rent, would have something quite different to say to that.
Quote from: FBT on July 10, 2008, 12:09:02 PM
Quote from: heights unknown on July 10, 2008, 10:27:57 AM
I think this is a media ploy possibly orchestrated by the Jaguars leadership to:
1) Get people to buy more tickets
2) Get people to renew or increase their interest in the team and increase attendance
3) Get North Florida/South Georgia and other fans to come to Jaguar games so he won't have to sell the team
which would probably result in a relocation or move if sold to a new owner.
Bottom line...get off your ass Jacksonville and support your football team or you're going to lose the Jaguars and lose them soon; you cried, yearned, and boo hooed for one, and now you don't support it. If they did leave, then the Jax media, citizens and leaders would pretend to be at a loss as to why they left, pointing fingers here and pointing fingers there regarding who to blame, and of course a huge void would have to be filled; and I'll bet it wouldn't be filled very soon because the NFL is not going to put a team in a city whose track record of support is poor at best.
SUPPORT YOUR TEAM JACKSONVILLE!!!!!!!
Heights Unknown
I disagree that this is some grand conspiracy by the team to get more tickets sold.
If that was indeed the case, the outlet breaking the story wouldn't be an online blog for the Philly Daily News.
Ticket sales aren't the issue that ails this team the most. They are simply the most visible problem that this team has to contend with since THAT is precisely what the media likes to fixate on and use as some sort of a measuring tool for fan support. Blackouts have nothing to do with fan passion, but that's not how the mainstream media tends to look at them.
What is truly an issue here is corporate support. You have a stadium that has no name sponsor. You've got luxury suites that are going unsold. You've got club and other premium seating that would normally be bought up by corporate entities that are sitting there available.
It's good to avoid the blackouts because that removes at least one stigma from the city, but in reality it's not the real issue at all. Fans should buy the tickets if they have the means. But, companies that are sitting on their hands who have the resources to make block purchases or partner with the team, they need to be pressed to step up and do it. Otherwise the Jags will relocate.
I agree... and disagree. I dont buy the conspiracy theory but empty seats and blackouts DO say something about fan passion. Not so much the ones in the stands but the ones NOT in the stands. I would think CSX would be a great name for the stadium...
Leave it to Easy E to (1) make a comment laced with profanity that (2) demonstrates hostility to those who are financially more successful than him. ;)
Quote from: Eazy E on July 10, 2008, 12:18:26 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on July 10, 2008, 12:16:22 PM
Nobody is pitying him. The question is do you want the team to stay or not... sounds like you do not care. Thats OK but the community as a whole benefits from them staying.
Really? The community as a WHOLE benefits?
That's awesome, because, though I love football, I am sure the hundreds of thousands who literally don't care at all, but still have their tax dollars spent to pay the Jags' rent, would have something quite different to say to that.
The same could be said for the Symphony, the zoo, the parks, etc... There are many amenities that WE all pay for the WE all do not use...
QuoteReally? The community as a WHOLE benefits?
That's awesome, because, though I love football, I am sure the hundreds of thousands who literally don't care at all, but still have their tax dollars spent to pay the Jags' rent, would have something quite different to say to that.
The Jaguars franchise is a very charitable orginization. Not to mention the charities that the players themselves contribute to and participate in. Just because you yourself have not been a direct beneficiary of the Jags doesn't mean that the community doesn't benefit.
Quote from: Jason on July 10, 2008, 12:23:35 PM
QuoteReally? The community as a WHOLE benefits?
That's awesome, because, though I love football, I am sure the hundreds of thousands who literally don't care at all, but still have their tax dollars spent to pay the Jags' rent, would have something quite different to say to that.
The Jaguars franchise is a very charitable orginization. Not to mention the charities that the players themselves contribute to and participate in. Just because you yourself have not been a direct beneficiary of the Jags doesn't mean that the community doesn't benefit.
I agree with you, completely.
But, to blanketly assert that the ENTIRE city is benefitted by this team is a joke.
The NFL in general is a monopolistic predator that screws cities over, while at the same time making the cities think they are somehow benefitting from it. And when I say "cities", I'm not talking individual citizens, I am talking the municipalities themselves and their finances. Trust me, I have had to research these ideas ad nauseum and was disgusted by what I found.
Quote from: RiversideGator on July 10, 2008, 12:20:12 PM
Leave it to Easy E to (1) make a comment laced with profanity that (2) demonstrates hostility to those who are financially more successful than him. ;)
Dude, congrats to Wayne Weaver-- I do not begrudge him success by any means. What I do begrudge him is making that money by using my private tax dollars to benefit his private entity. YOu as a conservative should be outraged by such fiscal irresponsibility and the corporate welfare aspect of it.
Quote from: BridgeTroll on July 10, 2008, 12:23:06 PM
Quote from: Eazy E on July 10, 2008, 12:18:26 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on July 10, 2008, 12:16:22 PM
Nobody is pitying him. The question is do you want the team to stay or not... sounds like you do not care. Thats OK but the community as a whole benefits from them staying.
Really? The community as a WHOLE benefits?
That's awesome, because, though I love football, I am sure the hundreds of thousands who literally don't care at all, but still have their tax dollars spent to pay the Jags' rent, would have something quite different to say to that.
The same could be said for the Symphony, the zoo, the parks, etc... There are many amenities that WE all pay for the WE all do not use...
The zoo and symphony, if i am not mistaken, are not-for-profit entities.
They are not private coproations owned by priavte individuals. Your examples (zoo, symphony, parks) are not even the same-- no comparison can be made.
Quote from: Eazy E on July 10, 2008, 12:32:00 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on July 10, 2008, 12:23:06 PM
Quote from: Eazy E on July 10, 2008, 12:18:26 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on July 10, 2008, 12:16:22 PM
Nobody is pitying him. The question is do you want the team to stay or not... sounds like you do not care. Thats OK but the community as a whole benefits from them staying.
Really? The community as a WHOLE benefits?
That's awesome, because, though I love football, I am sure the hundreds of thousands who literally don't care at all, but still have their tax dollars spent to pay the Jags' rent, would have something quite different to say to that.
The same could be said for the Symphony, the zoo, the parks, etc... There are many amenities that WE all pay for the WE all do not use...
The zoo and symphony, if i am not mistaken, are not-for-profit entities. They are not private coproations owned by priavte individuals. Your examples (zoo, symphony, parks) are not even the same-- no comparison can be made.
The Suns ballpark... the coleseum... many cities do this.
Quote from: BridgeTroll on July 10, 2008, 12:48:58 PM
Quote from: Eazy E on July 10, 2008, 12:32:00 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on July 10, 2008, 12:23:06 PM
Quote from: Eazy E on July 10, 2008, 12:18:26 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on July 10, 2008, 12:16:22 PM
Nobody is pitying him. The question is do you want the team to stay or not... sounds like you do not care. Thats OK but the community as a whole benefits from them staying.
Really? The community as a WHOLE benefits?
That's awesome, because, though I love football, I am sure the hundreds of thousands who literally don't care at all, but still have their tax dollars spent to pay the Jags' rent, would have something quite different to say to that.
The same could be said for the Symphony, the zoo, the parks, etc... There are many amenities that WE all pay for the WE all do not use...
The zoo and symphony, if i am not mistaken, are not-for-profit entities. They are not private coproations owned by priavte individuals. Your examples (zoo, symphony, parks) are not even the same-- no comparison can be made.
The Suns ballpark... the coleseum... many cities do this.
Make that most cities and the reason... because the city benefits, in turn everyone benefits. Eazy, you are wrong... period. Just b/c you haven't seen any dollars in your pocket from the team, doesn't mean you haven't seen any benefit. Every major city wants an NFL team and justifiably so. You are confused E....
PS.. 5 year season ticket holder / 2 seats in the NEZ.
Quote from: BridgeTroll on July 10, 2008, 12:48:58 PM
Quote from: Eazy E on July 10, 2008, 12:32:00 PM
The zoo and symphony, if i am not mistaken, are not-for-profit entities. They are not private coproations owned by priavte individuals. Your examples (zoo, symphony, parks) are not even the same-- no comparison can be made.
The Suns ballpark... the coleseum... many cities do this.
I totally agree-- except for the arena/coliseum as that is not a primarily one-use facility. But, as I understand it, the Suns, for example, pay rent to play in the baseball park. We-- and almost every other NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL city-- actively pay the rent for the teams in these million dollar stadiums, when the VERY VERY rich owners could do it themselves. But, we as a nation (and teh active work of teh sports leagues themselves) have fostered an environment where we would rather use tax dollars to pay and build a stadium, and then pay the rent, for a team than spend that money on roads, schools, health care, etc. It's fine if that's how you want your tax dollars spent, but I think most people would rather their tax dollars not go towards enriching a private entity and/or person. YOUR TAXES are going into Weaver's pocket so he can then one day sell this team at a profit of over half a billion dollars, which, like i said, is to me absolutely ridiculous.
Also, I shoudl point out, i get fired up on this because I did an extensive research paper on it in grad school and have been re-working that same paper the last few days for a new project, so this is something i have studied and am actively studying again, and the whole thing is very, very disheartening in the levels of greed displayed.
Quote from: Johnny on July 10, 2008, 01:01:59 PM
Make that most cities and the reason... because the city benefits, in turn everyone benefits. Eazy, you are wrong... period. Just b/c you haven't seen any dollars in your pocket from the team, doesn't mean you haven't seen any benefit. Every major city wants an NFL team and justifiably so. You are confused E....
[/quote]
Please explain how I am wrong "period".
I have actually read the arduous and boring reports by economists who have found that professional sports teams and their stadiums-- which is my beef, the stadium, not the team, but the 2 are intertwined-- have a negligible to zero economic impact on their cities. The money spent inside the stadium is just entertainment dollars the average person would have otherwsie spent on other forms of entertainment. The stadium itself creates jobs that exist for 8 days of the year and pay mostly minimum wage. So, please explain where the benefits are and any verifiable, peer-reviewed research to back your assertiosn up.
Like I said, this isn't just spouting off at the lip, I have extensively reserached this subject.
E:
I think it's safe to say that the people of Jax want the team here, enjoy the team and welcome the presence the NFL gives it. Being "good" for the city can be defined in many ways - it all depends on how you look at it. I know you don't agree with it and there are others that agree with you but I think they're in the minority.
QuoteYou have a stadium that has no name sponsor.
This baffles me. I cannot understand why there isn't a sponsor yet. It's really weird.
In any case they're not going anywhere so all is good and this season is going to be awesome. I can't wait to read Vic K's column today.
I think part of the reason is economic... about the time the Alltel deal was over the economy began slowing. Perhaps the city is waiting for the Jags to do well this year and increase the naming rights revenue...
Quote from: thebrokenforum on July 10, 2008, 01:24:15 PM
E:
I think it's safe to say that the people of Jax want the team here, enjoy the team and welcome the presence the NFL gives it. Being "good" for the city can be defined in many ways - it all depends on how you look at it. I know you don't agree with it and there are others that agree with you but I think they're in the minority.
Totally fair assessment. BUt, I would say, that if you define "good" as giving back tangible value, and not just something fun to do with the family, then is demonstrated that the team is not good for the city. But, I realize most people's definition of "good" is whether they simply enjoy watching the games, and I can't fault anyone for that. And, I would just add, for protection of my own reputation ( :) )I am ambivalent to the Jags: I like watching them, but I do not think they "make" the city, nor do I think the city would suddenly revert back to the dark ages if (or when) they left.
Now, if someone wants to state that the Gators aren't good for Gainesville, or the netire state for that matter, we'll fight. ;D
Quote from: Eazy E on July 10, 2008, 12:18:26 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on July 10, 2008, 12:16:22 PM
Nobody is pitying him. The question is do you want the team to stay or not... sounds like you do not care. Thats OK but the community as a whole benefits from them staying.
Really? The community as a WHOLE benefits?
That's awesome, because, though I love football, I am sure the hundreds of thousands who literally don't care at all, but still have their tax dollars spent to pay the Jags' rent, would have something quite different to say to that.
They might not care but they still benefit. How many thousands of hotel nights are purchased as a result of the Jaguars? Do the people staying in the hotels spend money in the community? Do they pay taxes on the hotel room and anything else purchased?
Quote from: BridgeTroll on July 10, 2008, 12:20:04 PM
Quote from: FBT on July 10, 2008, 12:09:02 PM
Quote from: heights unknown on July 10, 2008, 10:27:57 AM
I think this is a media ploy possibly orchestrated by the Jaguars leadership to:
1) Get people to buy more tickets
2) Get people to renew or increase their interest in the team and increase attendance
3) Get North Florida/South Georgia and other fans to come to Jaguar games so he won't have to sell the team
which would probably result in a relocation or move if sold to a new owner.
Bottom line...get off your ass Jacksonville and support your football team or you're going to lose the Jaguars and lose them soon; you cried, yearned, and boo hooed for one, and now you don't support it. If they did leave, then the Jax media, citizens and leaders would pretend to be at a loss as to why they left, pointing fingers here and pointing fingers there regarding who to blame, and of course a huge void would have to be filled; and I'll bet it wouldn't be filled very soon because the NFL is not going to put a team in a city whose track record of support is poor at best.
SUPPORT YOUR TEAM JACKSONVILLE!!!!!!!
Heights Unknown
I disagree that this is some grand conspiracy by the team to get more tickets sold.
If that was indeed the case, the outlet breaking the story wouldn't be an online blog for the Philly Daily News.
Ticket sales aren't the issue that ails this team the most. They are simply the most visible problem that this team has to contend with since THAT is precisely what the media likes to fixate on and use as some sort of a measuring tool for fan support. Blackouts have nothing to do with fan passion, but that's not how the mainstream media tends to look at them.
What is truly an issue here is corporate support. You have a stadium that has no name sponsor. You've got luxury suites that are going unsold. You've got club and other premium seating that would normally be bought up by corporate entities that are sitting there available.
It's good to avoid the blackouts because that removes at least one stigma from the city, but in reality it's not the real issue at all. Fans should buy the tickets if they have the means. But, companies that are sitting on their hands who have the resources to make block purchases or partner with the team, they need to be pressed to step up and do it. Otherwise the Jags will relocate.
I agree... and disagree. I dont buy the conspiracy theory but empty seats and blackouts DO say something about fan passion. Not so much the ones in the stands but the ones NOT in the stands. I would think CSX would be a great name for the stadium...
Not necessarily a conspiracy theory, but a "tough love" conspiracy aimed at garnering and increasing fan support. I agree that a local big name company is more appropriate for Jacksonville Stadium (i.e., MODIS Stadium, CSX Stadium, Winn-Dixie Stadium).
Heights Unknown
Been out for a day. Honestly, I had a pretty depressed morning until I found out that this was crap. Let me say this - I do not think this was a hoax in any way. This will do nothing but spin up national publicity that the Jaguars either are moving or should move. If this was a hoax, why would the Phily media mention this before ours. It doesn't fix.
Now, there were three things about this that seemed off to me when I read it (however I didn't really think about until this morning):
1. The fact that it was first mentioned by Phily. Like him or not (and I like him a lot), Weaver is a classy guy - if he was selling the team, it would come out here first (or at a press conference)
2. The guy was supposedly buying 100% of the team. How can he buy from Weaver 100% of the team, when Weaver doesn't own 100% of the team?
3. The timing - four weeks before training came, when you have 4,000 season tickets left to sell. I don't believe this will help tickets all that much (if at all). And, if it was true, how many people would have immediately charged back their season tickets if they paid by credit card?
Now, the concept of everyone benefitting from the Jaguars - yes, we absolutely all do, if nothing else but getting the city tons of publicity that it would otherwize not get. This in turn will enhance the image of the city, which in turn gets it in front of out of town business interests, which if they open up operations here, enhances our tax base and the local economy.
Right now the Jaguars are going through a bit of a tough financial time, mainly because of the owners revenue sharing agreement, which is not working (the owners unanimously voted to opt out of it in 2010). A new rev sharing agreement will completely help out the situation.
One of the other issues is the lack of a "leaguethink" model that was instilled by former commissioner Pete Rozelle, and a few of the big market owners from the 1970's, notably former New York Giants owner Wellington Mara. The biggest market owner in the league actually said that he wanted to pool and split revenues. He realized by helping out the small market owners, it helped them all out, which has turned the NFL into the behemoth that it is today.
On another note, Jacksonville is not the only city lacking a naming rights deal - Miami play in Dolphins Stadium, because they don't have a sponsor either.
Finally, EASY E, The Jaguars pay the city rent, not the other way around. Name another business in Jacksonville that has as much positive impact as the Jaguars
Sooooo, how come the guy from the Philly News (is that really the Inquirer?) hasn't come out with an updated story and/or retraction? Seems like there should be some accountability or responsibility to expound. I guess the intended audience (metro Philly) doesn't much care.
BTW, given all of today's drama from North Florida, the Jacksonville Jaguars have inched up to #8 on Yahoo's top searches for the day!!! WooooooHooooooo! (Of course, Megan Fox is #1).
Lets hope the only move the Jags make is several trips to the Super Bowl!!!!
Quote from: Steve on July 09, 2008, 11:18:36 PM
With that said, as long as a new stadium was on the way, if the Jaguars made a commitment to move to Los Angeles, the other 31 owners would probably help them pack. Remember, in the NFL revenue is shared all over the place, especially with TV contracts. How much more valuable does the NFL's TV contract become in the #2 media market?Quote from: thebrokenforum on July 09, 2008, 11:13:08 PM
Good point about the ticket sales, River. This is a quote from the TU message board:
Quote
How can the Jaguars have the [audacity] to launch a major ticket sales campaign and during that same week negotiate the sale of the team to a potential buyer that sees the road to L.A. paved in dollar signs?
There is no stadium in LA. There is no stadium being built in LA...so even if the rumor is true it wouldn't happen for maybe 5 years. The Jags doing the shady, backdoor business deal now and not going public with it here first would single-handedly kill their ticket sales for their remaining stay, not to mention kill off all merchandise sales etc. by pulling a stunt like this.
But who knows? Maybe WW could care less what anyone in this city thinks? It is most definitely going to be a day to remember media-wise tomorrow. Let the games begin...
(and if they did go what does the city's identity become then...bloodstained streets?)
With that said, as long as a new stadium was on the way, if the Jaguars made a commitment to move to Los Angeles, the other 31 owners would probably help them pack. Remember, in the NFL revenue is shared all over the place, especially with TV contracts. How much more valuable does the NFL's TV contract become in the #2 media market?
who said theres no stadium in L.A., they're building one later this year near my house, check out www.losangelesfootballstadium.com and it's being privately funded by the guy who helped build the Staples Center. Bye Bye Jaguars...
Great news...THE JAGS ARE NOT MOVING!!!! Wayne Weaver says he's not selling the team. :D
QuoteBye Bye Jaguars...
Oh look...an LA troll. ::)
Quote from: thebrokenforum on July 11, 2008, 08:50:30 AM
QuoteBye Bye Jaguars...
Oh look...an LA troll. ::)
If it helps him get through the day...
???? The Rams will be back in LA within 5 years but LA cant support them. A private stadium AND $1Billion NFL franchise? On top of taxes, hostile business climate, etc. It won't fly. You can have your Rams back but you will never see the Jaguars in LA.
WE NEED ANOTHER SCANDAL! - The Jags have fallen to #9 on Yahoo's top searches......
Not really a scandal but it's pretty sickening that our own media did nothing but jump on the bandwagon and fuel the paranoia because they knew it would garner interest and maybe sell a few papers. Pretty shoddy journalism in my opinion but then again I hardly consider the TU a real newspaper.
Quote from: thebrokenforum on July 11, 2008, 10:22:45 AM
but then again I hardly consider the TU a real newspaper.
It is definately getting
real small... :D
Quote from: BridgeTroll on July 11, 2008, 10:25:14 AM
It is definately getting real small... :D
that's what she said.
-michael scott
Quote from: stephendare on April 20, 2015, 09:57:02 PM
Quote from: RiversideGator on July 09, 2008, 10:27:16 PM
Weaver just stated in the T-U interview that he was not selling the team off. So, unless he is a huge liar, this must be a false rumor. Time will tell. I am hoping on the minority partner instead. This is certainly not good for ticket sales.
In a hurry to reach 40,000 posts are we?
Quote from: stephendare on April 20, 2015, 09:57:02 PM
Quote from: RiversideGator on July 09, 2008, 10:27:16 PM
Weaver just stated in the T-U interview that he was not selling the team off. So, unless he is a huge liar, this must be a false rumor. Time will tell. I am hoping on the minority partner instead. This is certainly not good for ticket sales.
This seems to fall in line with what actually occurred. Weaver said he was only interested in selling to the right person, who would show full commitment to the city of Jacksonville.
1.5 years later Shad Khan was working on a deal to buy the St Louis Rams.
3.5 years later Khan reached an agreement to purchase the Jaguars, reportedly for less than Weaver had been offered by other parties.
Quote from: stephendare on April 21, 2015, 10:26:27 AM
No, just something that I do fairly frequently, pulling up older posts to show the contrast in thinking from a couple of years ago to how things played out. River was partially right about the rumor of the time, but obviously Weaver was thinking about selling the team. A billion dollar buyer takes a little time to cultivate, after all. But I am pretty close to 40k, now that you mention it. Less than a hundred to go.
I won't speak for River but I thought it was widely known that Weaver was shopping the team to EVENTUALLY sell. He is not going to live forever and his kids weren't interested in taking over.