QuoteMAYOR CURRY AND VYSTAR PROPOSE PARTNERSHIP FOR VETERANS MEMORIAL ARENA NAMING RIGHTS
Jacksonville, Florida, February 7, 2019 – Mayor Lenny Curry and Brian E. Wolfburg, President/CEO of VyStar Credit Union, announced that a naming rights agreement has been reached between VyStar and the City of Jacksonville for the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena – a first for the arena. Legislation to enact the agreement has been filed and sent to the Jacksonville City Council. Pending City Council approval, the arena will be known as VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
"In coordination with veteran leaders, my staff and VyStar, we have an agreement that is good for taxpayers and at the same time creates new program funding for veterans in our City," said Mayor Curry. "This is a win for everyone involved, and I will work with the City Council to earn their approval."
Brian Wolfburg says, "VyStar will be honored to have its name alongside our brave veterans' on the arena. Both of our missions, to serve and recognize our great military, could not be more aligned. Based on VyStar's deep roots in the military community, past and present, we can't imagine a more suitable naming partnership."
In addition, the naming rights agreement provides for several Veteran support initiatives – including a concessions donation program, which will allow arena patrons to make donations to an approved veteran program when making a purchase at the arena's concessions stands. Other initiatives include a veteran memorial, as well as discounts for veterans and VyStar members on concessions, tickets, and parking. Veterans will also be included in ticket presale opportunities making it possible for them to purchase tickets before public on-sales.
Formerly known as Jax Navy Federal Credit Union, VyStar was chartered in 1952 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax) to provide civil service and military employees and their families a safe place to save and borrow money. It wasn't until 2002 that VyStar (then Jax Navy Federal) opened membership to the five-county area – including Duval, Clay, Nassau, St. Johns, and Baker counties – and changed its name to VyStar Credit Union.
VyStar's support of the military is ongoing and includes many military-focused events, charities, and initiatives each year. One example is the USO Pathfinder℠ Transition Service Center located inside VyStar's Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax) branch. VyStar provided the space fully funded the buildout of the new center – the very first of its kind in Jacksonville – and in Florida. This new facility serves as a resource for service members who need assistance when transitioning out of the military and into civilian life. VyStar has provided longstanding sponsorship of Military Appreciation Luncheons in Duval and Clay counties as well as sponsoring the annual Military Appreciation Night at Adventure Landing.
To learn more about VyStar Credit Union, their military history, and their support of the military community, please visit www.VyStarcu.org/MilitarySupport
Seems to make a lot of sense for all parties.
Great fit.
Vystar is continuously showing their commitment to the military and DT.
VyStar Arena would sounds much better.
I think it's a cool move. But, in like 2002 when the thing was under construction, there was a giant push to legislate that the building would be free of corporate sponsorship and codified that the name would be "Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena"
Now I'm fine with it, but I doubt this goes through without a hitch.
Quote from: Steve on February 07, 2019, 10:42:39 AM
I think it's a cool move. But, in like 2002 when the thing was under construction, there was a giant push to legislate that the building would be free of corporate sponsorship and codified that the name would be "Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena"
Now I'm fine with it, but I doubt this goes through without a hitch.
You are probably right, although the article says that the Mayor's Office and VyStar worked "in coordination with veteran leaders."
I am curious about this part of the article
QuoteIn addition, the naming rights agreement provides for several Veteran support initiatives .... Other initiatives include a veteran memorial,
Could this be moving the Veterans Memorial Wall inside the VVMA, to make room for more Iguanas?
Sounds fine by me. Good on Vystar for really leaping into Downtown.
Bout damn time.
Really great solution that's good for the city and good for the veterans.
Really cool to see VyStar digging in around downtown.
I wonder where that $500k-$700k a year ends up.
Maintenance fund? Interest to Cordish?
Quote from: KenFSU on February 07, 2019, 01:35:59 PM
Bout damn time.
Really great solution that's good for the city and good for the veterans.
Really cool to see VyStar digging in around downtown.
I wonder where that $500k-$700k a year ends up.
Maintenance fund? Interest to Cordish?
I'm sure that question will be brought up in the council meeting of where the revenue will go and what it will be used for. Also, not sure of the operating agreement that the city has with SMG, meaning if SMG will retain a split of the revenue (considering they sold the sponsorship). Currently, SMG brings in all the event there and sells sponsorship packages around it among operating the facility.
15-Year agreement worth more than $10.6 million if approved.
Quote from: Jagsdrew on February 07, 2019, 03:12:12 PM
15-Year agreement worth more than $10.6 million if approved.
A very fair number for a market this size without an NBA/NHL franchise.
$9.76 million base, plus contributions/matches for the Veteran's community.
$600k+ per year for the city.
Not one to brag, but I kind of nailed this number two years ago ;)
https://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?topic=28359.0
Again, bout damn time.
Great breakdown of the specifics of the deal by Stephanie Brown.
https://www.wokv.com/news/local/inside-the-deal-proposed-jacksonville-veterans-memorial-arena-naming-rights/FTwfS1yYPQ0d6V6K07jLLK/
Interesting that VyStar customers and veterans will get 10% off parking and concessions (money which typically goes to the city, so a bit of a hidden cost here).
Lol at the last sentence in the Daily Record article "If the city lands an NBA or NHL professional franchise, the agreement would be renegotiated."
So your saying there's a chance!
Quote from: KenFSU on February 08, 2019, 02:55:22 PM
Great breakdown of the specifics of the deal by Stephanie Brown.
https://www.wokv.com/news/local/inside-the-deal-proposed-jacksonville-veterans-memorial-arena-naming-rights/FTwfS1yYPQ0d6V6K07jLLK/
Interesting that VyStar customers and veterans will get 10% off parking and concessions (money which typically goes to the city, so a bit of a hidden cost here).
This was the part I was remembering:
QuoteThis naming rights deal actually requires changing a portion of the city's Municipal Buildings and Offices code as well. One section detailing terms for the naming of public facilities specifically prohibits the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena from carrying the name of any person, company, or other thing as part of the title. The only other two building specifically listed in that section of code bar the Duval County Courthouse and Downtown Jacksonville Public Library from being named for any person.
There was a push while the arena was under construction that the name not have a corporate sponsor. There was even pushback on one of the logos because the words "Veterans Memorial" were in smaller font than "Jacksonville" and "Arena".
I'm personally fine with the detail and think it's a good match with a local company that historically has been good to veterans. But, I'd be surprised if this one doesn't hit a snag.
As a veteran myself, I really hate special interest veterans groups. I didn't serve in the military so I could get 10% off parking and it actually offends me - but that is just me. As far as even naming the arena "Veterans Memorial" in the first place, it is just a sign of how shallow appreciation of military service really is. There was a time in this country (and still is in many parts of the world) when military memorials were built for no other reason than to be a memorial. Now we are just taking existing freeway over-passes, common concrete bridges, and patches of existing roads and calling them memorials.
If Jax really wants to honor veterans take the name off the arena and build an actual memorial. Yes I know Jax has a granite wall memorial but for a city the size of Jax with the military presence we have, it is like they weren't even trying. Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena will never be on the world's Must See list of military memorials.
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/war-memorials-around-the-world-slideshow
^This is just another example of political correctness. But the usual suspects won't speak out against it, as it's an inconvenient form of PC.
Quote from: Adam White on February 09, 2019, 11:33:49 AM
^This is just another example of political correctness. But the usual suspects won't speak out against it, as it's an inconvenient form of PC.
Agreed. I personally think some Veteran's group should be charged under RICO laws. This situation is a perfect example of that.
Quote from: Kerry on February 09, 2019, 11:44:53 AM
Quote from: Adam White on February 09, 2019, 11:33:49 AM
^This is just another example of political correctness. But the usual suspects won't speak out against it, as it's an inconvenient form of PC.
Agreed. I personally think some Veteran's group should be charged under RICO laws. This situation is a perfect example of that.
I've no issue with veterans memorials (when appropriate), but the amount of obsequious pandering is ridiculous. And the pearl-clutching gets a bit old, too.
Of course, if there is some sort of agreement in place whereby the arena has to have that name, then so be it. I'm not a huge fan of corporate sponsorship of public places - but when you ain't got any money, it seems a bit of a no-brainer.
Quote from: Kerry on February 09, 2019, 11:44:53 AM
Quote from: Adam White on February 09, 2019, 11:33:49 AM
^This is just another example of political correctness. But the usual suspects won't speak out against it, as it's an inconvenient form of PC.
Agreed. I personally think some Veteran's group should be charged under RICO laws. This situation is a perfect example of that.
Explain how u would prosecute under the federal rico law?
Quote from: civil42806 on February 09, 2019, 04:47:29 PM
Quote from: Kerry on February 09, 2019, 11:44:53 AM
Quote from: Adam White on February 09, 2019, 11:33:49 AM
^This is just another example of political correctness. But the usual suspects won't speak out against it, as it's an inconvenient form of PC.
Agreed. I personally think some Veteran's group should be charged under RICO laws. This situation is a perfect example of that.
Explain how u would prosecute under the federal rice law?
Simmer down.
Quote from: civil42806 on February 09, 2019, 04:47:29 PM
Quote from: Kerry on February 09, 2019, 11:44:53 AM
Quote from: Adam White on February 09, 2019, 11:33:49 AM
^This is just another example of political correctness. But the usual suspects won't speak out against it, as it's an inconvenient form of PC.
Agreed. I personally think some Veteran's group should be charged under RICO laws. This situation is a perfect example of that.
Explain how u would prosecute under the federal rico law?
In my opinion it is no different than any other shake-down operation. Give us some money or face opposition.