After a long hiatus fighting the budget battles, I'm back. Apologies to the forum. I guess I have not yet fully integrated new media into my day to day life. Hopefully, I'll do better in the days ahead.
As the Peyton Administration looks to our final 21 months in office, the question is: where and how can we make the greatest difference. I think you'll see us focus on three areas:
1. Continue to invest in public spaces downtown to ensure more valuable private investment when the market turns. We kicked off this discussion in the spring and we believe in it as strongly today as we did then.
2. Continue to build a strong, stable and sustainable financial model for the city. Not only does that allow us to invest and move forward, it is also a key element for creating jobs in Jacksonville...a priority of Mayor Peyton from day one.
3. A new focus on the Jacksonville Jaguars. As you have seen recently in the local press, the Mayor is pushing ticket sales and a return to the days of sold-out stadiums and a town busting as the seams over our NFL franchise. (Also see today's New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/03/sports/football/03jaguars.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=john%20peyton&st=cse)
We have done it before and we can do it again.
It is on this last issue, that I would love some input. Watch for details soon about a focus to sell-out two games this year...Kansas City Chiefs on November 8 (a game that falls right in the middle of the City's Week of Valor celebration...it precedes Veterans Day and is during the Air Show at the beach) and Indianapolis Colts on December 17 (Jacksonville's only nationally broadcast game...a Thursday night, NFL Network production).
What's it going to take to drive ticket sales and what's your suggestion for selling out the two games mentioned above?
By the way, ponder these questions while attending tomorrow's Jaguars game...1pm kickoff against our nemesis the Tennessee Titans!
If the cost of going to a game were the mere price of a ticket that'd be great, but the extras add up quickly. I know the Jags can't give away 20,000 tickets, but maybe offering temporary discounts on food, beverages and parking is one suggestion to fill the seats for those two specific games mentioned above.
Perhaps a special event with reasonably priced concessions before the game somewhere near the stadium to drum up support & pump up the fans. Met Park maybe?
I know ticket prices are low compared to the rest of the league, but lack of income has kept me from attending games so far this year. I've solved that problem for now and look forward to attending at least 3-4 games later in the season
Oh yeah, and winning would help too :D
Winning solves everything.
^Probably implementing the proposed improvements to Metropolitan Park and determining what the best use for other waterfront public land will be.
Funding for the next phase of the Jacksonville Streetcar Study. This is dead until some funds are provided, and national numbers say NOTHING will create a boom like a historic streetcar line. At $5 - 10 million a mile, it wouldn't be hard to build the line and lease it to a non-profit for operations (HINT). Let me know Adam, good to have you back, see you in church.
OCKLAWAHA/BOB
Doubt if any prices will be lowered.They have already offered the flex pack. Eat before you go to the game, park and walk to the stadium if you can. I spent $44 at the Cardinal game $44 for the ticket and $4 for a bottle of water, yes a bottle of water. Wouldnt have needed the water if it wasnt so hot out there. I am in the 203 sec, these same seats cost me $80 a piece last yr now I get three seats for $120. COME on people this is not a flea market Jaguars have done their part asides from winning more games. You cant have your cake and eat it too.
I don't think the Jags will be selling out many, if any, games until unemployment, home construction and consumer confidence improve. Businesses and professionals are the most likely purchasers of tickets and business has to be good for them to spend money for their own entertainment or their customers'.
true, but you have to be able to afford the cake in the first place. People's discretionary income has shrunk in size, but you still have the same amount of venues chasing those dollars. Either they will have to slash prices or get really creative in their marketing strategies. I don't believe the flex pack qualifies as really creative, else we wouldn't be discussing blackouts.
Flex pack has nothing to do with black outs,,people here are just lazy and spoiled. Jags where 11-5 one yr yet still had to request extensions.There was nothing wrong with the economy then. WHen people stop with the excuses we just start to move forward. I didnt know Jax was the only city hit hard with the recession.
Look at some of the numbers for uncovered seats in the Jaguars stadium compared to others around the league, the size of the Jacksonville market compared to the other NFL cities, the correlation between the two, and there's your answer. Not to mention the insane popularity of college football in this part of the country, which arguably takes away from the Jags fan base, the lackluster performance in the previous season, and the "rebuilding" process they're in now with a lot of unknown talent...it's really not surprising at all that the Jags don't pack the stadium.
Quote from: TREE4309 on October 03, 2009, 07:29:01 PM
Winning solves everything.
Agree. The last two games will put more asses in seats. Great atmosphere today. Beautiful weather, a small but very amped up and loud crowd. Stringing two impressive performances back week to week will go a long way.
Never thought I'd agree with the naysayers, but maybe the NFL doesnt belong in this city.
We are DOOMED if most of are Fan base are Gator Fans ??? (We’re a bunch of spoiled fans,†said Don Eshelman, a Gators season-ticket holder who gave up his Jaguars tickets after the 2000 season. “We can go down the road and see a winning team.â€) A Quote from the New York Times
Yeah that's my other suggestion. someone should make the gators sick so they start losing. If that happens maybe they'll come to the jag games again.
Quote from: JaxBorn1962 on October 05, 2009, 10:06:34 AM
We are DOOMED if most of are Fan base are Gator Fans ??? (We’re a bunch of spoiled fans,” said Don Eshelman, a Gators season-ticket holder who gave up his Jaguars tickets after the 2000 season. “We can go down the road and see a winning team.”
I don't think that many people are going to Gainesville for Gator games instead of Jaguar games.
as long as they keep winning the crowds will get bigger. the next 4 games will be important as the combined records for those teams are 1-15. Now I doubt there will be sellouts, but hopefully there will be enough to at least lift the blackout. The only bad thing I see is that there are no good teams coming here except the Colts.
Quote from: copperfiend on October 05, 2009, 10:14:00 AM
Quote from: JaxBorn1962 on October 05, 2009, 10:06:34 AM
We are DOOMED if most of are Fan base are Gator Fans ??? (We’re a bunch of spoiled fans,†said Don Eshelman, a Gators season-ticket holder who gave up his Jaguars tickets after the 2000 season. “We can go down the road and see a winning team.â€
I don't think that many people are going to Gainesville for Gator games instead of Jaguar games.
I think you're wrong. I know several die-hard Gator fans that go to G'ville for every home game and don't attend Jaguars home games.
We have given Wayne and Friends so much to keep the Jaguars here, If and when Wayne finds a better place we will lose the Jaguars! My God L.A. hasn't had a Pro Football Team for years but of course California has worst problems then Florida so the Cats will be here a little longer.
The game was great but the Jags wonder why they're having difficulty in selling tickets (keep in mind, I'm a season ticket holder). It's all about numbers. 9-3-2-1-0. In the last 9 years, we've had 3 winning seasons, 2 playoff appearances, 1 playoff win and 0 division titles. It's as simple as that.
Quote from: jagsfan32092 on October 05, 2009, 10:35:03 AM
The game was great but the Jags wonder why they're having difficulty in selling tickets (keep in mind, I'm a season ticket holder). It's all about numbers. 9-3-2-1-0. In the last 9 years, we've had 3 winning seasons, 2 playoff appearances, 1 playoff win and 0 division titles. It's as simple as that.
I'm not sure this is all a lot of people have decided to put there money into other places.
Quote from: hanjin1 on October 05, 2009, 10:17:00 AM
The only bad thing I see is that there are no good teams coming here except the Colts.
There are no easy wins in the NFL, but if the people who complain that they don't win at home refuse to show up for the games they feel are "easy," then they're hypocrites. We can't host the Steelers and Cowboys every year.
The Jaguars don't get to cherry-pick the home sked like that team "down the road."
Quote from: jagsfan32092 on October 05, 2009, 10:35:03 AM
The game was great but the Jags wonder why they're having difficulty in selling tickets (keep in mind, I'm a season ticket holder). It's all about numbers. 9-3-2-1-0. In the last 9 years, we've had 3 winning seasons, 2 playoff appearances, 1 playoff win and 0 division titles. It's as simple as that.
Was it that simple in the 12-4 and 11-5 playoff seasons in '05 and '07? There were still blackouts, and there was no trouble with the economy.
They're in the division race this year so far, aren't they? Sure it's early, but this team is surprising people. This team is growing each week, and gaining confidence. They want to win, and furthermore want to win
for us. The schedule is favorable to entering the bye week at 4-2. They could just as easily implode from there, but if they keep playing on offense like they did yesterday and the week prior, people should be supporting them even in a losing effort.
The "boring offense" excuse is being eradicated.
So what are some suggestions? We can ignore the bad economy and 10% unemployment but all we want, but the blow hard "just go to the game!" approach is turning a lot of people off as, believe it or not, football is not their top priority on the list this year.
Things like gas, rent, electricity & insurance are. Yes there's fair-weather fans out there, and winning will definitely fill more seats, but it all boils down to money for a lot of people. And I don't mean those who are hopelessly struggling to get by, I mean those who are having to use more discretion on how they spend what's left of their disposable income
Whether that means we're no longer a viable nfl town, that's a great debate, but this thread is supposed to be about suggestions to pack the house.
I know that there are no easy wins in the NFL as last year showed, but my point was that people would rather come out for a good game then they would a bad one. I know that the Jaguars don't make their schedule. But it is something that contributes to the smaller crowds.
Quote from: David on October 05, 2009, 10:50:13 AM
So what are some suggestions? We can ignore the bad economy and 10% unemployment but all we want, but the blow hard " just go to the game!" approach is turning a lot of people off as, believe it or not, football is not their top priority on the list this year.
Things like gas, rent, electricity & insurance are. Yes there's fair-weather fans out there, and winning will definitely fill more seats, but it all boils down to money for a lot of people.
Whether that means we're no longer a viable nfl town, that's a great debate, but this thread is supposed to be about suggestions to pack the house.
Get the No Football League or NFL to change the Rules the Jaguars should be able to only have to sell 50,000 tickets for a sellout or drop the Blackouts all together!
Quote from: David on October 05, 2009, 10:50:13 AM
So what are some suggestions? We can ignore the bad economy and 10% unemployment but all we want, but the blow hard " just go to the game!" approach is turning a lot of people off as, believe it or not, football is not their top priority on the list this year.
Things like gas, rent, electricity & insurance are. Yes there's fair-weather fans out there, and winning will definitely fill more seats, but it all boils down to money for a lot of people.
Whether that means we're no longer a viable nfl town, that's a great debate, but this thread is supposed to be about suggestions to pack the house.
I thought that it would go without saying that those who simply cannot afford to go aren't the target of the efforts to sell tickets. The "Mean ol' Jaguars" aren't going to starve families or have houses foreclosed in order to fill the stadium, and the arguments such as yours are not relevant to this discussion because the poor or struggling and unemployed are not expected to buy tickets.
The economy is a legit reason for many folks, but there are just as many who can afford to go and choose not to. That should be and is the focus-
how can the people who do have the income and solvency to attend, yet don't, get converted to paying customers?Let's leave those who clearly cannot afford it out of the conversation.
EDIT: That said, shaming people into buying won't work. Involving the business community was a strong step, since the reason a lot of other teams are "selling out" has a lot to do with the corporate community in those cities.
There needs to be more PR to emphasize that this current incarnation of the team is not the bunch of ne'er-do-wells and "thugs" some would claim they were or are, and that they spend many hours (and their only days off during the week) in the community, giving back.
No, i'm not saying we should recruit the homeless guys in Hemming Plaza to go to the games. I'm saying people are being extremely picky on what they choose to spend their shrinking disposable income on this year. There's probably things that could be done to lure them out to a game or two.
For example, look at boldcity's anniversery party this weekend, 2 dollar beers packed a modest warehouse by the railroad tracks! I'm not saying do something that extreme for the games, but right now people are very selective on what leisure activities they're going to spend their money on
What good is lowering admission for a city that wouldn't go for free several years back?
I could see having a weekly drink or concession special. They do offer 4 dollar draft in the Bud Zone before noon, but maybe it should be a steeper discount and run until kickoff or the end of the 1st?
yeah I don’t think they can slash ticket prices any lower. When I get my first paycheck I’ll happily spend 40-50 bucks on a ticket in the nose-bleeds. I just know what people in my age & income range like when they go out, discounted concessions probably wouldn't hurt.
Since this thread is about suggestions... how about this one. Have the Chamber of Commerce suggest to businesses to buy a pair of season tickets. Those season tickets should be used by the businesses to award their customers. For example... a bar has a contest or a drawing every week and give the pair away. A business gives a pair of tickets once a home game to the "Employee of the week" or some such reward.
These tickets are for customers and employees... not executives or payoffs to vendors. Perhaps the Chamber could partner with the Jags to implement the program.
This could be a win, win, win... customers/employees are rewarded for work or patronage, business is generated by interested in the "contest" and the Jags win...
$.02 :)
Lets just face it, Jacksonville isn't a good NFL market and built a stadium that was too big for it's own good.
Quote from: TPC on October 05, 2009, 11:42:08 AM
Lets just face it, Jacksonville isn't a good NFL market and built a stadium that was too big for it's own good.
We had to build the Stadium bigger that was the only way to get the Jaguars. Green Bay is smaller then Jacksonville Its 2006 estimated census was 100,353 per wiki. jacksonville has a Population (2008)[1]
- City 807,815 (13th)
- Density 1,061.6/sq mi (409.89/km2)
- Urban 913,125
- Metro 1,313,228
Thanks for the info JaxBorn1962.
Quote from: TREE4309 on October 05, 2009, 10:17:53 AM
Quote from: copperfiend on October 05, 2009, 10:14:00 AM
Quote from: JaxBorn1962 on October 05, 2009, 10:06:34 AM
We are DOOMED if most of are Fan base are Gator Fans ??? (We’re a bunch of spoiled fans,†said Don Eshelman, a Gators season-ticket holder who gave up his Jaguars tickets after the 2000 season. “We can go down the road and see a winning team.â€
I don't think that many people are going to Gainesville for Gator games instead of Jaguar games.
I think you're wrong. I know several die-hard Gator fans that go to G'ville for every home game and don't attend Jaguars home games.
Yeah. I'd say I've known at least a dozen who don't miss a game at the swamp but have never been to a Jags game. Same with the Noles. When I was in high school I had some friends whose families had season tix in Tally but not for the Jags. That said, I'm not sure these people would go see the Jags play even if they didn't go to their college games. So maybe it's not drawing them away...
Quote from: JaxBorn1962 on October 05, 2009, 11:54:59 AM
Quote from: TPC on October 05, 2009, 11:42:08 AM
Lets just face it, Jacksonville isn't a good NFL market and built a stadium that was too big for it's own good.
We had to build the Stadium bigger that was the only way to get the Jaguars. Green Bay is smaller then Jacksonville Its 2006 estimated census was 100,353 per wiki. jacksonville has a Population (2008)[1]
- City 807,815 (13th)
- Density 1,061.6/sq mi (409.89/km2)
- Urban 913,125
- Metro 1,313,228
Milwaukee metro is bigger than Jax though. And, really, the whole state of Wisconsin is Packer-country. Not making excuses for Jacksonville, but to compare to Green Bay is apples and oranges.
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on October 05, 2009, 12:03:53 PM
Yeah. I'd say I've known at least a dozen who don't miss a game at the swamp but have never been to a Jags game. Same with the Noles. When I was in high school I had some friends whose families had season tix in Tally but not for the Jags. That said, I'm not sure these people would go see the Jags play even if they didn't go to their college games. So maybe it's not drawing them away...
That is what I am getting at. It's not like they would be going to Jaguar games anyway.
Owner(s) Green Bay Packers, Inc. (111,967 stockholders) Jaguars Owner(s) Wayne Weaver
Quote from: copperfiend on October 05, 2009, 12:09:54 PM
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on October 05, 2009, 12:03:53 PM
Yeah. I'd say I've known at least a dozen who don't miss a game at the swamp but have never been to a Jags game. Same with the Noles. When I was in high school I had some friends whose families had season tix in Tally but not for the Jags. That said, I'm not sure these people would go see the Jags play even if they didn't go to their college games. So maybe it's not drawing them away...
Tallahassee is three hours away Gatorland an Hour and a Half IT'S THE GATOR FANS that are screwing the jaguars :o
That is what I am getting at. It's not like they would be going to Jaguar games anyway.
Jacksonville has had its Fun it may be time for us to go back like we were before. That city no one loves.
Quote from: TPC on October 05, 2009, 11:42:08 AM
Lets just face it, Jacksonville isn't a good NFL market and built a stadium that was too big for it's own good.
I'm not quite ready to face it (whether you're right or not we'll see) I think this is a good wake up call that we need to do more to support them. This city is only going to get bigger. The metro area will only keep growing... Plus, the franchise is just now at a point where young fans who went to those games back in the 90's are coming of age and bringing their kids etc.
Because of our smaller size more effort has to be made, that's all. We're the NFL's "the lil engine that could"
Quote from: David on October 03, 2009, 05:48:04 PM
If the cost of going to a game were the mere price of a ticket that'd be great, but the extras add up quickly. I know the Jags can't give away 20,000 tickets, but maybe offering temporary discounts on food, beverages and parking is one suggestion to fill the seats for those two specific games mentioned above.
Perhaps a special event with reasonably priced concessions before the game somewhere near the stadium to drum up support & pump up the fans. Met Park maybe?
I know ticket prices are low compared to the rest of the league, but lack of income has kept me from attending games so far this year. I've solved that problem for now and look forward to attending at least 3-4 games later in the season
Oh yeah, and winning would help too :D
The Jaguars are offering a lot of food and beverage discounts this year. There are meal deals at various concession stands every game, and when I ordered my tickets I got two vouchers for a free hot dog, popcorn, or Coke good at the Stadium Classics stands on the main concourse.
You can avoid the high cost of parking by taking one of the stadium shuttle buses or the water taxi, which cost significantly less than a parking pass.
Thanks Wacca, that's good to know. I wasn't aware.
Quote from: David on October 05, 2009, 12:19:54 PM
Thanks Wacca, that's good to know. I wasn't aware.
They usually send out a Gameday newsletter on the Thursday before home games, if you happen to buy tickets that far in advance or are a STH, that includes a list of the meal deals for that game. Not sure if it's also available on jaguars.com.
Quote from: JaxBorn1962 on October 05, 2009, 12:16:39 PM
Quote from: copperfiend on October 05, 2009, 12:09:54 PM
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on October 05, 2009, 12:03:53 PM
Yeah. I'd say I've known at least a dozen who don't miss a game at the swamp but have never been to a Jags game. Same with the Noles. When I was in high school I had some friends whose families had season tix in Tally but not for the Jags. That said, I'm not sure these people would go see the Jags play even if they didn't go to their college games. So maybe it's not drawing them away...
Tallahassee is three hours away Gatorland an Hour and a Half IT'S THE GATOR FANS that are screwing the jaguars :o
That is what I am getting at. It's not like they would be going to Jaguar games anyway.
Jacksonville has had its Fun it may be time for us to go back like we were before. That city no one loves.
I love Jacksonville, with or without the Jaguars, and I'm getting kind of tired of the self-immolation.
I was in Nashville this weekend and watched the game on tv up there. While it was 55 degrees and raining there, they were showing pictures of the beach, kids boogie boarding in the surf and boats going up and down the river all during the game here in Jacksonville. How can we ever beat that kind of free advertising just for having an NFL team. I really do not think people in this city realize how important the exposure of Jacksonville to the nation is. The Jaguars help us to get that. I will be at a few games this year including the Indy game on December 17th! Go Jags.
There's some good stuff in this thread. Look for some Chamber of Commerce efforts, including a sales campaign among area councils.
Also, I agree with those that say the economy is making ticket sales tough. The target is not those struggling to make ends meet. The target is businesses who could use the investment for employee reward and recognition or sales and marketing purposes. The target is also the Jaguars' fans that are used to watching the games on TV, but have the means to buy tickets. The flex-pack is a great price for those with some disposable income...and we need to move the folks from the couch to the stands.
We can thrive as an NFL city, despite our smaller market. It takes 50,000 seats sold in the general bowl to lift the blackout. That's 50,000 seats in a region with 1.3 million people. We were selling 70,000+ seats in the mid-1990s when we only had 1.0 million people in our region.
We saw great football yesterday...and the crowd was on fire! Imagine the energy with the place sold out.
Give me more ideas to convert sales...this is an important part of Jacksonville's national image and community pride.
(NOTE to Stephen: Ennis is right...focus will be on Metro Park, Friendship Fountain and the Riverwalk...much like what we've discussed before. However, goal is Metro is simply a simpler, cleaner park. At Friendship, the only thing we want to do to the fountain is get it operational again... no design changes to the fountain! And we'll want to green the areas around the fountain to make the environment less harsh and more conducive to picnics, etc. The Riverwalk is obvious: better connections along the river on the north and south banks.)
Adam, when can one take the Northbank Riverwalk from Downtown all the way to Metro Park and the Stadium? Imagine this on a nice game day packed with people parking downtown and walking all the way to the stadium like when we had the Super Bowl? Food and other vendors (selling Jax souvenirs?) and some street performers could set up stands along the Riverwalk making it a full fledged experience, again, like Bay Street was during the weekend of the SB. Cross connecting to the Southbank Riverwalk with the River Taxis and a closed lane for pedestrians on the Main Street bridge would expand the impact and possibilities.
Creating that experience might get people in Downtown for several hours before and after the game. Opening the Riverside Arts Market on game days also might add to the fun. Maybe add a mini-local Jacksonville Downtown Jazz festival in the early PM or AM from UNF or River City Band or feature other cultural groups on a Riverwalk stage in front of the T_U Center or in the Landing Courtyard, or both! A fireworks show over the river an hour after the end of a late game might keep people in the downtown area also.
This would make for a complete game day experience beyond three hours in the stadium and make coming and going to the game a fun part of the day, not just a chore. It would also disperse some of the traffic to Downtown, the Southbank, and Riverside which can't hurt either. Of course, the economic and tourist aspects would be significant as well.
Add a new FEC Jax-Miami link with downtown Amtrak station, and the Jags could more easily funnel in surrounding region fans to such a game day celebration/extravaganza.
This same model could be used for the Gator Bowl, Florida-Georgia, NFL playoffs, FSU vs ?, the Senior Bowl, and so on. What are we waiting for?
STJR has some great ideas!
I was actually talking to someone about this subject this weekend. The other person was a season ticket hold up until this year and unfortunately can't afford tickets any longer. Unfortunately I haven't been able to go recently either...
Like many have said before the "you're not a real fan, if you don't go to the game" argument for supporting the team just starts to turn people off. She wasn't the first former season ticket holder I've heard say, "I don't need a guilt trip, just let them leave...".
That being said we talked about the ways that we thought the Jaguars could inspire more devotion from the people of the surrounding area. One of the problems that came with the team here is that many of the citizens of our fair city originally come from other cities and many already have allegiances to other NFL teams (there is a sports bar near my house that recently was even called Steel City... a Steelers hangout in Jacksonville, WTF?... I'm pretty certain you won't see a Jags Den bar in Pittsburgh).
Ok, so our ideas wasn't that far removed from STJR... but why don't we have pep rallies? We can have them for home games and away games... Saturday nights?
Open up the outside of the stadium and have an event in the Pepsi zone. Make it free with entertainment from the Roar and Jaxson and THE DRUM CORP(those guys are awesome!). Bring out the coach and some players to say how they are going to crush the other team.... (gotta keep it on the target of the next game, right Del Rio.. at least that's what I heard from Garrard).
The idea is to create a community around the team. Even if you can't afford to make to the game on Sunday, you can be a part of the community. Have a band, show some highlights... make a best of reel of the Jags against the upcoming opponents.... anything. Some people will say it's hokie or silly, but the families that have kids will come out for a free night and those people will eventually buy tickets when they can. Let the folks bring their RVs and tents early Saturday, party on Saturday night, stay overnight in the lot and be there for tailgating early on Sunday morning. Make suprise appearances at the Jags tent parties on Saturday night. Maybe even like the mayor, council men, cheerleaders.
Put up a screen at the same Pepsi stage on Sundays for away games and invite fans and families to come out for picnics and watching the game on the big screen, lots of fun with other fans.
I will admit I feel much more connected to the team this year, even in light of the blackouts, because I added Garrard and Quentin Groves on Twitter... Those two guys are out in the city and try to get people excited, I think that is great and it works. I've been into listening to the last 2 home games on the radio and really paying more attention. Previously I couldn't really fit games into my life so it was out of sight out of mind. Now, every Sunday it is kind of growing as an itch that I want to go to a game.
Garrard's radio show thing was a good idea, I understand what Del Rio is getting at, but it works and it can get people involved. Anyone know if he has plans to do one earlier in the week?
The players are trying and you have to appreciate that!
Wintrhopf, welcome. You are right on. If the Jags are, in large part, about civic pride and community, then, by golly, let's make their games a community-wide celebration/event with Downtown to the Stadium the main event outside of the game.
Want to do something really different? How about a "Jags Parade" a few hours before the game of the players, coaches, and cheerleaders working their way through Downtown to the Stadium with kids and fans lining the streets to see their favorite players? If not the current players, maybe some former greats still idolized by the fans along with Jaxson De Ville and the Roar? Add to the parade, youth football players marching with their pro football idols and some high school or college bands. What kid would forget that when they grow to ticket-buying age?
Maybe the NFL teams need to borrow a few more tricks from the college world. How about a "Homecoming Game" with extra special festivities? I am sure we could get some great ideas from the Gator Growl. This might be appropriate for the game following the extended absence caused by Florida-Georgia weekend and the Jacksonville Fair.
I bet a lot of companies would be interested in sponsoring events like this and the revenue could help the City defray costs or further support the Jags.
I also think the Jags should look at nicknaming the stadium the "Jacksonville Jungle" (a la "The Swamp") and maybe throw up some palm fronds and vines around the walkways, etc. When the Jags score, we could have a Tarzan yell and beat our chests once for each point we have. A little offbeat craziness in the stands would make the team unique and create some extra buzz, not to mention engage the fans more. As the "Jungle" maybe the Jags could even get a Brazilian airline like Varig or the country of Brazil to buy the stadium naming rights to promote tourism (especially now that they have the Olympics). Not only would this be one-of-a-kind, Jax would be viewed as a more global city. Rio could become our new sister city and we could grow trade for the port. Who knows what all this could lead to?! 8)
STJR thanks for the welcome. I'm usually lurking around these parts and throw my 2 cents in the ring from time to time.
I love the idea of the parade. It's reminiscent of what the Seattle Sounders do before their game, they call it the March to the Match...
http://www.soundersfc.com/Matchday/March-to-the-Match.aspx (http://www.soundersfc.com/Matchday/March-to-the-Match.aspx)
They have a team band (like the Drum Corp!) that leads the march... Gathering point is about half a mile away.. so that would be like, ummm, Metro Park....
Then the band leads the group to the stadium with fight songs...
Sounds like a lot of fun.
And, walking to the match together reminds me of the Football (and by Football, I mean soccer) match that my wife and I attended in London about 2 years ago. We rode the Tube as far as we could and then walked with the crowd to Craven Cottage (home of Fullham, on the Thames... hmmm a stadium on a river). It was an amazing experience with the home team fans chiding the visiting team fans... Fulham was playing West Ham, another London team. People were singing and yelling. My wife said she would like going to Football games here if they were more like the ones over there... (yeah, yeah.. here comes the cracks about soccer holligans).
Anyway, I agree with the sponsorship ideas and think that lots of companies would want to get signed up... especially if it is shown how much involvement there is....
Adam, with regard to the fountain and greening the space around it...any chance some of the ideas in the original early 80s Riverwalk plan might be implemented, such as adding a Great Lawn that can also serve as a small concert venue around the fountain?
Some very good ideas,just get JSO on board.Their goal seems to be to herd everyone out of downtown as quickly as possible.
stjr/winthropf -- Really energized suggestions. I'm going to send them on to our special events folks...don't be surprised if you see them put into action! We are certainly focused on creating an event around the stadium on game days...and draw a larger crowd, with or without tickets. I love the idea of away game events too. Look for some experimenting for Kansas City and Indy...and even more to come next year. And yes, the Riverwalk MUST be an action-packed pedestrian linkage all the way to the stadium.
Wacca Pilatka -- Do you have the plan you speak of...would love to see it.
Adam, here you go.
QuoteSOUTHBANK RIVERWALK MASTER PLAN
The Jake Godbold administration labeled the 1980’s as “The Billion Dollar Decade†for downtown redevelopment. One of the major projects planned and constructed during this era was the Southbank Riverwalk, which opened in 1985. The 1.2 mile walk was designed by Perkins & Perkins Architects / Planners and Design Consortium Landscape Architects to be a festive waterfront public space linking Friendship Fountain and the Harbor Masters restaurant (now River City Brewing Co.) with hotels and office buildings east of the Main Street Bridge. While the riverwalk was constructed it never lived up to expectations, partially because what you see today is less than half of what it was supposed to be.
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/riverwalk/SouthbankRiverwalk-FriendshipFountain.jpg)
QuoteAquarium
Just to the south of the maritime museum, original plans called for an aquarium facing Friendship Fountain, which would showcase local fresh and saltwater marine life. Never built.
Friendship Park River Fountain
A geyser shooting water 500ft into the sky, located in the river. Would become one of the most notable landmarks in the city. Never built.
Great Lawn
Open space for recreation and relaxation. Never built.
Under the Bridge Café
A Sidewalk Café that would link both sides of riverwalk. Never built.
Ship Museum
An attraction created to emphasize the historic relationship between the city and the river. Would include floating ship exhibits. Idea was scaled down into the current maritime museum, which is housed in a small kiosk.
Amphitheater
A 3,000-seat open-air facility with bandstand and theatrical lighting, built out into the river that would be used for public concerts, ballets, festivals and school graduations.
San Marco Blvd Sculpture
This would have been located in the middle of the circle next to MOSH.
I wonder if the Florida Times Union is reading my posts?! Quote from an above post by me just a few days ago:Quote
I also think the Jags should look at nicknaming the stadium the "Jacksonville Jungle"...
Today's Times Union headline:QuotePaying for Jaguars' jungle has Jacksonville in debt
(http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-10-10/story/paying_for_jaguars_jungle_has_jacksonville_in_debt)
Coincidence? Or someone likes my suggestion? Just give me credit, no money necessary. ;D
Delusions of grandeur. ;)