From today's Business Journal - I wonder how long until we see another naming rights deal/opportunity?
QuoteThe Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena is among the highest-grossing venues in its class, according to a new report from Venues Today.
The publication ranked the arena 10th worldwide in the 10,001- to 15,000-seat category, based on concert and event gross revenues from October 2009 to May 2010, which were up 5 percent over the prior period.
The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena is a 15,000-seat, multipurpose arena built in 2003. It is managed by SMG property management, a Philadelphia company that specializes in publicly owned facilities.
The arena hosted 11 shows with more than 73,000 people in attendance over the past year. The 11 shows, including AC/DC, John Mayer, Jimmy Buffett, The Black Eyed Peas and Harlem Globetrotters, grossed more than $3.6 million.
“Jacksonville is a good city for concerts and events and deserves to be recognized as a top stop in Florida,†said Larry Wilson, general manager of SMG Jacksonville.
http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2010/08/02/daily16.html
wow. interesting. Normally we have to hear how horrible Jacksonville is for anything. Glad to see some good news.
Eleven shows and 73,000 people... So is less than 50% occupancy in a 15k arena good? Just asking.
Some larger cities have multiples of these arenas. Tough for them to beat out a city w/ 1.3 million people and one 15K seat stadium.
Atlanta, a city of between 5.5 and 6 million people in the metro has the 21,000 seat (for concerts) Phillips Arena and the 13,100 seat (for concerts) Arena at Gwinnett Place. These are the only two similar venues to ours. I am not counting school arenas, because Jax has school venues. I am also not counting performance halls like Woodruff, Verizon Amphitheater (12,000 seats), Fox Theater, or Cobb Energy Center because they are not "similar" venues and we have our own in that category, albeit smaller.
Doing the math, and being conservative, Atlanta's 5.5 million people to 34,100 seats makes for a ratio of over 161 people per seat, whereas our arena has 1.3 million people to 15,000 seats, making for a ratio of just under 87 people to a seat. Multiple arenas or not, the larger cities that have them are so much larger than Jax and have such a large "pull" from surrounding areas that their ratios are still much "tighter" than Jacksonville's, making for more concerts and more sold out concerts and higher ticket prices, all contributing to higher revenues.
Still, good to see our arena is apparently doing well, though I am not sure if I completely buy it.
Quote from: exnewsman on August 04, 2010, 01:24:58 PM
Eleven shows and 73,000 people... So is less than 50% occupancy in a 15k arena good? Just asking.
You lose a
ton of seats with most concert setups.
I would guess maybe 10,000 tops can fit in the arena for concerts.
^^^^ Actually concerts can also on the flip side have more seating than hockey or basketball, at least according to every venue I have looked up/shows I have been to. The only time a concert would have less is if they close off half the seats and focus in one direction in a semicircle. If the show is that small, then it often skips over a venue like an arena and goes to an amphitheater or concert hall.
And don't forget that during concerts there are also "floor" tickets for standing room only near the stage. This adds a very good amount of people, even if the show is directed in a semicircular fashion to half or slightly more than half of the arena.
Yeah, I guess it can go both ways. I haven't been to a ton of concerts at the arena, but the ones that I have gone to have used the semi-circle setup, probably less to block off half the arena and more to accomodate the massive sets that many touring concerts incorporate. Anyone been to a concert at the arena that uses the small central stage like you'd see somewhere like Madison Square Garden?
QuoteI wonder how long until we see another naming rights deal/opportunity?
The City passed an ordinance while the Arena was being constructed, that it had to keep it's name, so there won't be a naming rights deal for the arena. However, it might be possible to sell the naming right to the Ticket Office or the 'main entrance' of the arena. Greenville has done this for it's arena.
Didn't EverBank buy naming rights to some suites or club seats in the arena?
Quote from: KenFSU on August 04, 2010, 03:52:43 PM
Yeah, I guess it can go both ways. I haven't been to a ton of concerts at the arena, but the ones that I have gone to have used the semi-circle setup, probably less to block off half the arena and more to accomodate the massive sets that many touring concerts incorporate. Anyone been to a concert at the arena that uses the small central stage like you'd see somewhere like Madison Square Garden?
Most concerts I have seen have the stage at one end which results in about 70 to 75% use of the fixed seat plus all the floor seats.
(http://www.jaxevents.com/images1/seating%20charts/jvma_es.jpg)
I do remember a concert with Faith Hill and Tim McGraw where the stage was in the center with full in-the-round seating in the stands and on the floor. Seems like for setups like this, they can actually squeeze north of 16,000 plus in there.
(http://www.jaxevents.com/images1/seating%20charts/jvma_itr.jpg)
For various other seating arrangements go to: http://www.jaxevents.com/veteransmemorial_sc.phpQuote from: Wacca Pilatka on August 04, 2010, 06:28:33 PM
Didn't EverBank buy naming rights to some suites or club seats in the arena?
Not sure if it's the dining area (kind of like the terrace suite in the stadium) at the top of the end seating on the second level or the area for food and drink just above and for the club seats along the sidelines. I was thinking it was at the end. Also, based on the description below, because I think the side line club seats automatically include tickets to all events for the year for a fixed price. Or, at least they did when they opened the Arena originally as I recall.
QuoteEverBank Arena Club Information
The EverBank Arena Club is a “First Right of Refusal†program which allows you to request event tickets and parking prior to the public on sale of the event. The seats are located in the Everbank Arena Club sections. The club area features a private bar, private restrooms and upscale food and beverage offerings.
Membership starts at $375 per year/per seat, plus applicable taxes (minimum two seat purchase required). Membership allows you to purchase event tickets and parking through the www.jaxevents.com website.
Ticket prices are determined by promoters and changes from event to event. Membership to the club is for private and corporate use.
(http://www.jaxevents.com/events/jvma/eac/silverbar01.jpg)
(http://www.jaxevents.com/events/jvma/eac/mainbar02.jpg)
http://www.jaxevents.com/veteransmemorial_vip.php
QuoteArena Club
Arena Club Members receive the first right to purchase tickets for all public events at the Arena. In addition to the spectacular sightlines and comfortable seats, Arena Club Members receive access to first class services and amenities, including an exclusive bar and dining area. The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena’s 1,116 club seats are currently SOLD OUT. For more information or to be placed on a waiting list, please Contact the sales and marketing office at 904-630-3900 or email at smgmktg@coj.net.
Is there any way there could be more seat added with a renovation? To me it seems as if the arena wasnt completed. Im talking about the western portion of the arena in comparison to the eastern side. Look at the top (where a second level SHOULD BE)
The West side of the arena
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r225/fridechx/605f8bdc.jpg)
The East side of the arena
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r225/fridechx/d59b5339.jpg)
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_F4M1LyW9w1A/Sg8lJkXCdjI/AAAAAAAAAzw/v5NfpP7fbxY/s640/Walking%20with%20Dinosaurs-Arena.jpg)
Seems to me it's too small for a city of our size... Since we only have ONE shouldn't it be big enough to attract an NBA or NHL team? 15,000 seats won't do it, as I recall both leagues require 20,000 plus seats, maybe more like 30,000?
Okay, okay, yes and okay already! I KNOW this is Jacksonville, and nobody is talking about us EVER having an NBA, NHL, or other major league team. But guess what negative Nelly's, sooner or later it IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I wonder how many we could squeeze in with the end zone seats added? I wonder if there is any way to expand the seating without knocking down the whole place?
Sure would be cool if the Skyway blew right though the place and the streetcars were right outside the door at the "Trolley Stop". Gee what a novel thought, a trolley stopping at the "trolley stop!"
(http://www.urbanaut.com/Stations,%20Platforms%20and%20Emergency%20Escape%204_files/image002.jpg)
Before I start a stampede i thought i'd give y'all a price for my dreams.
APPROXIMATE COST ESTIMATE PER MILE
OF SINGLE ELEVATED GUIDEWAY
Fixed Costs:
A. Elevated Guideway, Including Foundations $ 6.30 Mill
B. Four Passenger Station Facilities $ 1.50 Mill
C. Operational Control Facility $ 1.05 Mill
D. Electrical Power, Signals, and Moving Block Control $ 0.90 Mill
E. Fees & Contingencies of A, B, C, & D + $ 1.50 Mill
____________________
Total cost of PER MILE = $ 11.25 Mill
OCKLAWAHA
Hard to believe that less than 10 years ago we were still piling into the old ~8000-ish seat relic.
Arena management needs to thank all the country music acts that come here annually and get the same people to fork over $75 per show ever year.
This seems like a smaller number than I would have thought. Do the 11 concerts and events make up all large events at the arena? It seems like we should be able to draw in at least 18 national acts a year. I went to a beer festival at the arena that was amazing. With the addition of the Sharks, the arena is definitely on the up and up, but we can do better.
Quote from: Ocklawaha on August 05, 2010, 12:14:45 AM
Sure would be cool if the Skyway blew right though the place and the streetcars were right outside the door at the "Trolley Stop". Gee what a novel thought, a trolley stopping at the "trolley stop!"
(http://www.urbanaut.com/Stations,%20Platforms%20and%20Emergency%20Escape%204_files/image002.jpg)
Before I start a stampede i thought i'd give y'all a price for my dreams.
APPROXIMATE COST ESTIMATE PER MILE
OF SINGLE ELEVATED GUIDEWAY
Fixed Costs:
A. Elevated Guideway, Including Foundations $ 6.30 Mill
B. Four Passenger Station Facilities $ 1.50 Mill
C. Operational Control Facility $ 1.05 Mill
D. Electrical Power, Signals, and Moving Block Control $ 0.90 Mill
E. Fees & Contingencies of A, B, C, & D + $ 1.50 Mill
____________________
Total cost of PER MILE = $ 11.25 Mill
OCKLAWAHA
Now the skyway going through the Arena would be nice. But i dont think that will ever happen (the skyway actually going through the arena) though anything is possible. But what is more realistic is the whole idea about the skyway expanding to the sports district. That is obviously needed.
(http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction-viewImage&friendID=540296208&albumID=141552&imageID=4919743)
and jax doesn't want to build the new lounge designed for the inside of the arena? could be larger profits for the building.
Quote from: Ocklawaha on August 05, 2010, 12:14:45 AM
Seems to me it's too small for a city of our size... Since we only have ONE shouldn't it be big enough to attract an NBA or NHL team? 15,000 seats won't do it, as I recall both leagues require 20,000 plus seats, maybe more like 30,000?
Ock, the size of the arena (18 to 20,000+ vs. 15,000 or less) was well debated before it was built. In the end, we did what we always do and cut some corners to do it cheaper verses top rank. (See the convention center or original airport (JIA) projects.)
The only BJP project where money was no object was the courthouse. But, hey, that's how things get prioritized when the two immediately previous mayors come out of the state attorneys office.
By the way, they also skimped on the bathrooms, particularly in the suite levels, and handicapped parking which they run out of every time. (And, can you believe, no near-entry-door drop off lane/zone for handicapped since they close the street in front of the main entrance during events.).
I actually like that the west side of the arena only has a lower bowl...it is set up better for concerts that way and also can work for some theater productions....and honestly, we hardly ever need the full capacity that already exists.
Temple University in Philly did the same thing when they built their new arena about 12 years ago...and it holds all kinds of shows/events/games
http://www.liacourascenter.com/
Quote from: exnewsman on August 04, 2010, 01:24:58 PM
Eleven shows and 73,000 people... So is less than 50% occupancy in a 15k arena good? Just asking.
I was wondering that...ive been in the Arena 3 times...Prince Concert, Jay Z & R Kelly and a WWE event...it was packed out, but the Arena seems too small to me. Plus I thought it was 16 000 seats.
Quote from: KenFSU on August 04, 2010, 03:52:43 PM
Yeah, I guess it can go both ways. I haven't been to a ton of concerts at the arena, but the ones that I have gone to have used the semi-circle setup, probably less to block off half the arena and more to accomodate the massive sets that many touring concerts incorporate. Anyone been to a concert at the arena that uses the small central stage like you'd see somewhere like Madison Square Garden?
Yea..the Prince & WWE shows were set up like that....but Prince had the upper bowl filled. The Best of both Worlds show the stage was on the Baseball Grounds side of the Arena and there were floor seats
Quote from: WillNevaLeaveJAX on August 04, 2010, 09:23:13 PM
Is there any way there could be more seat added with a renovation? To me it seems as if the arena wasnt completed. Im talking about the western portion of the arena in comparison to the eastern side. Look at the top (where a second level SHOULD BE)
The West side of the arena
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r225/fridechx/605f8bdc.jpg)
The East side of the arena
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r225/fridechx/d59b5339.jpg)
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_F4M1LyW9w1A/Sg8lJkXCdjI/AAAAAAAAAzw/v5NfpP7fbxY/s640/Walking%20with%20Dinosaurs-Arena.jpg)
They could put about 3 thousand more seats on top of the West lower bowl.
Don't know if ours "expanded" could handle the NBA round ball boys, but the smallest in the NBA league is Sacramento's ARCO ARENA the current configuration seats up to 17,317. Unless the bar has been raised (for example the Final-Four NCAA tourney requires 70,000 now) an expansion of 3,000 west end seats would allow us to squeak in ABOVE Sacramento at about 18,000.
I think Jacksonville would shock the hell out of the sports experts and be a dynamite NBA city.
The NHL on the other hand has a minimum of 12,500 seats, and Pittsburgh with 12,508, is the smallest arena in that league clearing the minimum bar by 8 seats. Hockey here? Hey the minors did well before the rent forced them out, and frankly, perhaps because of our "Newark" image, it always has. Did you know we had a pro hockey team in the old AHL? Yup! Very fast club em - shove em battle with some blood has got to appeal to the good ol boys down at the docks...
OCKLAWAHA
There is no specific requirement for NBA or NHL cities...but 2 of the smaller arenas (Orlando and Pittsburgh) are being replaced next season....it is difficut to be competitive without 20,000 seats and a whole bunch of private boxes.
Quote from: tufsu1 on August 08, 2010, 08:48:37 AM
There is no specific requirement for NBA or NHL cities...but 2 of the smaller arenas (Orlando and Pittsburgh) are being replaced next season....it is difficut to be competitive without 20,000 seats and a whole bunch of private boxes.
Interesting...I think NBA has too many sorry teams to expand, but a bigger arena would be nice to pull other events.
Quote from: tufsu1 on August 08, 2010, 08:48:37 AM
There is no specific requirement for NBA or NHL cities...but 2 of the smaller arenas (Orlando and Pittsburgh) are being replaced next season....it is difficut to be competitive without 20,000 seats and a whole bunch of private boxes.
(http://cdn.nhl.com/penguins/images/upload/2008/12/arena1.jpg)
(http://fromthepoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/awesome.jpg)
The Pittsburgh Penguins are scheduled to play in Consol Energy Center next season. The arena was completed Aug. 1st of this year. Hockey capacity - 18,087 and 19,000 for basketball.
IM JEALOUS LOL...WHEN WILL IT BE OUR (JAX) TURN?
I was in Louisville over the Summer and I noticed that they were fixing to open their new arena in DT Louisville. It is a 22,000 seat arena that is built on the Ohio River! Ahh what a smart idea.
You want to see probably one the best arena's in the United States check out this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wb9B-UcGRQ
What I like about this arena is first, its located right in downtown Louisville, second its on the river, the Ohio might be a ugly brown thing that they call a river but its still a river. Lastly it combines so many amenities that you wont find in many arenas, like full service restaurants and huge concession areas and all kinds of things to make this arena a place someone would want to go to time after time.
It opens 10.10.10
Ooh and the first concert there is to be the Eagles, isn't that a nice opener.
On a side note, Kentucky is a massive college basketball state with 3 - 20,000+ arenas: Freedom Hall (20,000), YUM! Center (22,000) and Rupp Arena (24,000).
Tell me the COJ couldnt spend an extra $20-30 million and build the arena with at least 18,000 seats...
why cant I post videos??
here is the link for the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wb9B-UcGRQ
another idea, a arena and skyway station integration!
Quote from: Mattius92 on August 23, 2010, 01:11:46 PM
On a side note, Kentucky is a massive college basketball state with 3 - 20,000+ arenas: Freedom Hall (20,000), YUM! Center (22,000) and Rupp Arena (24,000).
Tell me the COJ couldnt spend an extra $20-30 million and build the arena with at least 18,000 seats...
well the new arena is replacing Freedom Hall...and don't forget they have 2 big-time college b-ball progarms in Louisville and Kentucky....when JU and/or UNF reaches that level (or even UF/FSU) in college hoops, then we can talk about needing a larger arena.
we are talking about attracting major league teams, not college teams.
Quote from: Mattius92 on August 23, 2010, 02:06:44 PM
we are talking about attracting major league teams, not college teams.
fine...find us an NBA or NHL team and then we can expand
Quote from: Mattius92 on August 23, 2010, 02:06:44 PM
we are talking about attracting major league teams, not college teams.
The arenas you mentioned in Kentucky are all home to big time college BB teams.
PEOPLE!
This is just to show you a good arena, now when I am like of voting age and an old man, and the COJ wants to build a new arena I will know what to tell them. SO HA!
Nuff Said
whats that?
+1
Bump for a random question:
Why is the Veterans Memorial Arena one of the very, very few U.S. arenas of its size (or smaller) to not have a corporate naming agreement in place?
I know the original plan was to seek a naming rights deal for both the arena and the baseball grounds, but I can't find much on the subject past 2004 or so.
Any ideas?
Lack of priority in certain administrations.
Quote from: KenFSU on April 16, 2013, 10:24:54 PM
Bump for a random question:
Why is the Veterans Memorial Arena one of the very, very few U.S. arenas of its size (or smaller) to not have a corporate naming agreement in place?
I know the original plan was to seek a naming rights deal for both the arena and the baseball grounds, but I can't find much on the subject past 2004 or so.
Any ideas?
From the get-go with the Better Jacksonville Plan's Arena debut, the city said that JVMA is the permanent name, and it's named in honor of the vets, with no 'commercial name'. The Baseball Grounds at Jacksonville is now Bragan Field (with BGAJ being a secondary name of sorts) so I have no problem with those venues names.
I-10 good recall with the naming issue. I believe that it was then councilman Jim Overton that led council with the naming of things that you had to be dead to get the name. Of coarse we do have exceptions. The Pat Lockett Felder monument and the Jake Godbold bldg. that is and was and still may be owned by the PFPF which is a loophole for naming buildings. Will there be a name change if the city takes ownership? There may be other examples but these are some recent ones. What's the status of the road change in Springfield? Is that still a possibility?
Quote from: I-10east on April 17, 2013, 01:08:57 AM
From the get-go with the Better Jacksonville Plan's Arena debut, the city said that JVMA is the permanent name, and it's named in honor of the vets, with no 'commercial name'. The Baseball Grounds at Jacksonville is now Bragan Field (with BGAJ being a secondary name of sorts) so I have no problem with those venues names.
Here's a 2003 article from the Jax Daily Record.
I certainly mean no disrespect to the veterans, but it sure seems like money left on the table that the city could use for maintenance or renovation at the sports complex.
QuoteWhat’s in a name?
Mike Sharkey
Any day now, Better Jacksonville Plan officials expect the search for corporate sponsorship for the new baseball park and arena to begin.
Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa, said the City will hire Sheergame Renaissance to conduct a possible nationwide search to find corporations willing to spend money to have their names on the new facilities.
“We’re trying to finalize an agreement with the consulting firm,†said Mousa. “They will be responsible for going out and selling the naming rights to the ball park and the arena. We are almost there. Will we award the naming rights today? No, but we are poised to start the process immediately.â€
Shortly after the National Football League awarded Jacksonville the Jaguars efforts began to find sponsorship for the stadium. Unlike the current situation with the ball park and the arena, the Jaguars were given the responsibility of finding a corporate sponsor. That search produced Alltel Communications Inc., (a Little Rock, Ark.-based wireless telecommunications and information services company) and on April 18, 1997 Jacksonville Municipal Stadium officially became Alltel Stadium.
According to City Council auditor, Bob Johnson, Alltel has an agreement with the Jaguars and the City for a little over $6 million over 10 years. That agreement commenced in 1997, was extended Feb. 1, 2000 and is good through Jan. 31, 2007. Annually, Alltel pays the Jaguars $577,049, which they split 50-50 with the City.
In Alltel, both the Jaguars and the City have gotten lucky. The company specializes in an industry that seems to be growing.
“Alltel has been a very good partner,†said Bill Prescott, vice president/chief financial officer of the Jaguars. “They have been very stable financially and a very serviceable partner. You can’t ask for more than that.â€
Other cities haven’t fared so well.
In Houston, the Major League Baseball Astros began playing in Enron Field last season. Considering the recent collapse of that company and deluge of negative publicity, there is now a push in Houston to have Enron’s name taken off the park. The problem is Enron is paid up for several years, leaving the Astros in a quandary that will probably require legal action.
In Baltimore, the NFL’s Ravens have been playing in PSINet Stadium. But the logo will be coming off soon because the Ravens and the Internet company agreed to terminate the 20-year, $105 million contract that gave PSINet the right to name the stadium after the company filed for bankruptcy last week in New York.
In Boston, the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots will play in brand new CMGI Stadium next year. That company is another Internet provider and servicer that was financially stable when the sponsorship agreement was reached, but is now struggling.
Locally, every effort will be made to assure that the new facilities get stable sponsorship. Mousa said he has not given Sheergame any direction concerning sponsors. He also said finding sponsorship isn’t as easy as it was a few years ago.
“I haven’t directed Sheergame on anything,†said Mousa. “It’s a matter of who’s available, their interest, the dollar value of the sponsorship and the pros and cons of their sponsorship. Ultimately, it has to go before City Council.
“Sheergame even went on to tell us how the events of Sept. 11 have slowed down the rampage of corporations wanting their names on facilities.â€
Mousa said he expects the new ball park and arena to have long-term sponsorships within the next 8-10 months. While he would like to see local companies get the contracts, Mousa said it’s entirely possible the new arena could be sponsored by a company on the other side of the country.
There is plenty of local sentiment to keep both the Wolfson family name on the ball park and the Veterans Memorial Coliseum tag on the new arena. Mousa said it was possible that both facilities could adopt both the corporate name and the locally-recognized name.
Then again, a major corporation could blanket-sponsor all three facilities.
“Chances are we may have one corporation that wants to sponsor the whole sports complex. We could have Wolfson Park at the Coca-Cola Complex,†said Mousa. “We could have the Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Coca-Cola Complex.â€
Regardless who gets the deal, according to Mousa money won’t be the sole issue. Mousa said the sponsor also will be responsible for marketing and promoting the athletic venue as well as the City.
“There’s a lot more to look at than just the money,†said Mousa.
Of course it's money left on the table. Same goes for wrapping the skyway. It probably wouldn't be a big deal if we had money flowing into city hall. However, makes you wonder, when we refuse to consider raising taxes to support ourselves while also bending over backwards to not accept funding for a variety of opportunities known nationally as being long hanging fruit.
There are naming rights inside arena. Everbank suites/club, etc.
Quote from: I-10east on April 17, 2013, 01:08:57 AM
Quote from: KenFSU on April 16, 2013, 10:24:54 PM
Bump for a random question:
Why is the Veterans Memorial Arena one of the very, very few U.S. arenas of its size (or smaller) to not have a corporate naming agreement in place?
I know the original plan was to seek a naming rights deal for both the arena and the baseball grounds, but I can't find much on the subject past 2004 or so.
Any ideas?
From the get-go with the Better Jacksonville Plan's Arena debut, the city said that JVMA is the permanent name, and it's named in honor of the vets, with no 'commercial name'. The Baseball Grounds at Jacksonville is now Bragan Field (with BGAJ being a secondary name of sorts) so I have no problem with those venues names.
Yea me either, it makes total sense for the ballpark to be named Bragan.
"Bragan Field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville" is just a secondary name honoring the Bragans. It's still usually called the "Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville" even on its own website and logos, and I think, the outside of the stadium. The city also isn't getting any money from the renaming.
http://www.jaxevents.com/venues/baseball-grounds-of-jacksonville/
Quote from: KenFSU on April 17, 2013, 09:12:21 AM
Here's a 2003 article from the Jax Daily Record.
QuoteWhat’s in a name?
Mike Sharkey
Any day now, Better Jacksonville Plan officials expect the search for corporate sponsorship for the new baseball park and arena to begin.
Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa, said the City will hire Sheergame Renaissance to conduct a possible nationwide search to find corporations willing to spend money to have their names on the new facilities.
“We’re trying to finalize an agreement with the consulting firm,†said Mousa. “They will be responsible for going out and selling the naming rights to the ball park and the arena. We are almost there. Will we award the naming rights today? No, but we are poised to start the process immediately.â€
Shortly after the National Football League awarded Jacksonville the Jaguars efforts began to find sponsorship for the stadium. Unlike the current situation with the ball park and the arena, the Jaguars were given the responsibility of finding a corporate sponsor. That search produced Alltel Communications Inc., (a Little Rock, Ark.-based wireless telecommunications and information services company) and on April 18, 1997 Jacksonville Municipal Stadium officially became Alltel Stadium.
According to City Council auditor, Bob Johnson, Alltel has an agreement with the Jaguars and the City for a little over $6 million over 10 years. That agreement commenced in 1997, was extended Feb. 1, 2000 and is good through Jan. 31, 2007. Annually, Alltel pays the Jaguars $577,049, which they split 50-50 with the City.
In Alltel, both the Jaguars and the City have gotten lucky. The company specializes in an industry that seems to be growing.
“Alltel has been a very good partner,†said Bill Prescott, vice president/chief financial officer of the Jaguars. “They have been very stable financially and a very serviceable partner. You can’t ask for more than that.â€
Other cities haven’t fared so well.
In Houston, the Major League Baseball Astros began playing in Enron Field last season. Considering the recent collapse of that company and deluge of negative publicity, there is now a push in Houston to have Enron’s name taken off the park. The problem is Enron is paid up for several years, leaving the Astros in a quandary that will probably require legal action.
In Baltimore, the NFL’s Ravens have been playing in PSINet Stadium. But the logo will be coming off soon because the Ravens and the Internet company agreed to terminate the 20-year, $105 million contract that gave PSINet the right to name the stadium after the company filed for bankruptcy last week in New York.
In Boston, the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots will play in brand new CMGI Stadium next year. That company is another Internet provider and servicer that was financially stable when the sponsorship agreement was reached, but is now struggling.
Locally, every effort will be made to assure that the new facilities get stable sponsorship. Mousa said he has not given Sheergame any direction concerning sponsors. He also said finding sponsorship isn’t as easy as it was a few years ago.
“I haven’t directed Sheergame on anything,†said Mousa. “It’s a matter of who’s available, their interest, the dollar value of the sponsorship and the pros and cons of their sponsorship. Ultimately, it has to go before City Council.
“Sheergame even went on to tell us how the events of Sept. 11 have slowed down the rampage of corporations wanting their names on facilities.â€
Mousa said he expects the new ball park and arena to have long-term sponsorships within the next 8-10 months. While he would like to see local companies get the contracts, Mousa said it’s entirely possible the new arena could be sponsored by a company on the other side of the country.
There is plenty of local sentiment to keep both the Wolfson family name on the ball park and the Veterans Memorial Coliseum tag on the new arena. Mousa said it was possible that both facilities could adopt both the corporate name and the locally-recognized name.
Then again, a major corporation could blanket-sponsor all three facilities.
“Chances are we may have one corporation that wants to sponsor the whole sports complex. We could have Wolfson Park at the Coca-Cola Complex,†said Mousa. “We could have the Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Coca-Cola Complex.â€
Regardless who gets the deal, according to Mousa money won’t be the sole issue. Mousa said the sponsor also will be responsible for marketing and promoting the athletic venue as well as the City.
“There’s a lot more to look at than just the money,†said Mousa.
The city still has interest in finding corporate names for the Arena and the Baseball Grounds.
www.firstcoastnews.com/sports/article/335674/14/City-eyes-naming-rights-for-sports-complex-venues
I am all for more income coming into the Sports Complex however I don't think even the two together will be even close to the amount that EverBank brings. I don't believe any events make the national media that an nfl stadium brings. Though, I would hope that whatever company, if one does, change the arena name they leave "Veterans" in it. It is a nice homage to us being a military town.
Quote from: I-10east on November 18, 2013, 06:28:02 PM
The city still has interest in finding corporate names for the Arena and the Baseball Grounds.
Going to have a tough time withe the Arena. The law states what it must be called (i.e. Jax Veterans Memorial). They certainly could change the law, but I'm sure that would go over well.
^ it's a law? Usually it is just a City Council mandate (not right word, but mind isn't working right now) that they can change in one mtg with a vote and usually do so at the approval of naming rights. Of course, most cities aren't like Jacksonville so I wouldn't be surprised if it needed a referendum vote or something.
It was an ordinance passed by the council in 2002. It's less about the process to change, but pissing off veterans groups as we approach 2015 won't be a popular thing.
How much could either venue actually draw?
The TU reports that a major 'historical event' will be coming to the Arena; The event will be announced tomorrow. The only info so far is that the event will be 'entertainment related' and not sports related. Can't wait to see what it's gonna be.
http://members.jacksonville.com/entertainment/2014-04-15/story/major-event-coming-arena-announcement-wednesday
Quote from: I-10east on April 15, 2014, 11:59:34 AM
The TU reports that a major 'historical event' will be coming to the Arena; The event will be announced tomorrow. The only info so far is that the event will be 'entertainment related' and not sports related. Can't wait to see what it's gonna be.
http://members.jacksonville.com/entertainment/2014-04-15/story/major-event-coming-arena-announcement-wednesday
Knowing Alvin Brown, it will be Disney on Ice and hes making it sound like something big ;D
Well, it says that it will be the biggest event that Jacksonville has seen in many years & it's this summer. Guess that they're confident that it trumps the World Cup send off game, Country Fest(?), DMB, or Motley Crue....
OK - I might take Prince & the Revolution.
Considering the kind of things going on this year, it's hard to believe anything that could fit in the Arena would really be the "biggest Jacksonville has seen in many years". But I don't think this administration knows the meaning of "soft sell".
"Historic" is a pretty strong word.
So is "biggest event in many years."
Not sure any summer concert tour is appreciably bigger than Justin Bieber, for example, who was here last year, or US Soccer, etc.
Gaga has an open date on May 5th, between her Fort Lauderdale and Atlanta show, but I don't think that qualifies as summer, and it's pretty late in the game.
One Direction do stadium shows.
Garth Brooks is supposedly going to do a summer tour.
Timberlake?
Will be interesting to see the reveal, but man, sometimes it's better to underpromise and overdeliver, rather than vice versa.
Whatever it is, I am expecting a letdown.
Got to be Garth Brooks, or maybe Gaga. I guess it could be Timberlake, but I'd hope that wouldn't qualify as "bigger" or more "historic" than One Spark or the USMNT.
Quote from: pierre on April 15, 2014, 12:54:40 PM
Whatever it is, I am expecting a letdown.
Totally Agree. Nothing they have labeled as "major" has actually been major.
Quote from: Tacachale on April 15, 2014, 01:15:08 PM
Got to be Garth Brooks, or maybe Gaga. I guess it could be Timberlake, but I'd hope that wouldn't qualify as "bigger" or more "historic" than One Spark or the USMNT.
I am not sure how a tour stop of any kind could be considered "historical" since it will be occuring multiple times in the same week in other cities.
I guess we will have to wait and see what it is but my guess it this is being way overblown.
Yea by using the word historical, I'm thinking it has to be a legendary type performer like a Paul McCartney or Rolling Stones type.
Quote from: CityLife on April 15, 2014, 01:45:53 PM
Yea by using the word historical, I'm thinking it has to be a legendary type performer like a Paul McCartney or Rolling Stones type.
And I wouldnt even consider that big. PArtly because I dont care for Paul McCartney. I would read that annoucement and go back to sleep. LOL
Quote from: duvaldude08 on April 15, 2014, 02:17:51 PM
Quote from: CityLife on April 15, 2014, 01:45:53 PM
Yea by using the word historical, I'm thinking it has to be a legendary type performer like a Paul McCartney or Rolling Stones type.
And I wouldnt even consider that big. PArtly because I dont care for Paul McCartney. I would read that annoucement and go back to sleep. LOL
Yea I guess it wouldn't really be that big. He's only one of the key pieces of the greatest musical act of the 20th Century....
Quote from: CityLife on April 15, 2014, 02:20:26 PM
Quote from: duvaldude08 on April 15, 2014, 02:17:51 PM
Quote from: CityLife on April 15, 2014, 01:45:53 PM
Yea by using the word historical, I'm thinking it has to be a legendary type performer like a Paul McCartney or Rolling Stones type.
And I wouldnt even consider that big. PArtly because I dont care for Paul McCartney. I would read that annoucement and go back to sleep. LOL
Yea I guess it wouldn't really be that big. He's only one of the key pieces of the greatest musical act of the 20th Century....
And this shows us that everyone has their own opinon of what is considered a "big" or "historical" is. Whatever it is, I just hope its not another let down ;D
A few other possibilities
Linkin Park is kicking off their US tour in West Palm Beach in August
KISS is hitting Tampa and West Palm in July
QuoteConsidering the kind of things going on this year, it's hard to believe anything that could fit in the Arena would really be the "biggest Jacksonville has seen in many years". But I don't think this administration knows the meaning of "soft sell".[/quote
Mayor Brown and his administration could have a paint drying contest and call it a big deal. Anytime he can get a camera on him is quality time.
Maybe Angela Corey is going to crucify Keith Harring's Ghost
If Bruno Mars came to the Arena I wouldn't be all like "Whoopty Do!!!" but that doesn't mean that he isn't a major act. So 'major act' doesn't always equate to "I personally love this band" Just my take.
Quote from: I-10east on April 15, 2014, 04:07:42 PM
If Bruno Mars came to the Arena I wouldn't be all like "Whoopty Do!!!" but that doesn't mean that he isn't a major act. So 'major act' doesn't always equate to "I personally love this band" Just my take.
ARe you talking to me????????? LMAO Just kidding hahahaha ;D
^^^ :)
Quote from: I-10east on April 15, 2014, 04:07:42 PM
If Bruno Mars came to the Arena I wouldn't be all like "Whoopty Do!!!" but that doesn't mean that he isn't a major act. So 'major act' doesn't always equate to "I personally love this band" Just my take.
They called it "historic", not just major
^^^True.
It says it's an "event". Garth Brooks and Lady Gaga both work with AEG.
Well that would be a nice rabbit to pull out of the hat. You might even call it "next level".
Hmm, the Florida Country Superfest is in June, but it's supposed to be over at Everbank. I can think of at least one finicky country star they might move it for...
Quote from: stephendare on April 15, 2014, 05:27:12 PM
here is what we got:
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 15, 2014 – Mayor Alvin Brown will join SMG and AEG Live Wednesday morning to unveil details about a major event coming to Jacksonville. The event will take place at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in June.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 16
11 a.m.
WHERE: Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena – EverBank Arena Club
300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. – 32202
WHO: Mayor Alvin Brown
Bill McConnell, SMG Jacksonville general manager
John Valentino, AEG Live senior vice president
John Valentino is a concert promoter with AEG and is Senior VP of AEG Florida. If it was the development project, they would likely have a different VP there.
http://www.celebrityaccess.com/news/profile.html?id=540
Interesting.
Quote from: CityLife on April 15, 2014, 05:45:08 PM
Quote from: stephendare on April 15, 2014, 05:27:12 PM
WHO: Mayor Alvin Brown
Bill McConnell, SMG Jacksonville general manager
John Valentino, AEG Live senior vice president
John Valentino is a concert promoter with AEG and is Senior VP of AEG Florida. If it was the development project, they would likely have a different VP there.
http://www.celebrityaccess.com/news/profile.html?id=540
Doesn't he also own a bunch of pizza joints in the area? ;)
Maybe they're announcing a second mellow mushroom on top of the current one in Avondale!
http://www.celebrityaccess.com/news/profile.html?id=540 (http://www.celebrityaccess.com/news/profile.html?id=540) AEG John Valentino
http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/food-and-dining/2012-04-11/story/dining-notes-mellow-mushroom-confirms-avondale (http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/food-and-dining/2012-04-11/story/dining-notes-mellow-mushroom-confirms-avondale) MM Avondale John Valentino
Sorry to POP your bubble....
Check Pollstar for any clues. I'm thinking it is Bruno Mars.
No Florida stops on his current tour but he is in Birmingham on 06/11 and then Columbia, SC on 06/13.
^^^I dunno, because they mentioned the act being 'historic'. I'm not sure if 'historic' means an old school classic band (Rolling Stones etc) or a big time current act like Bruno Mars.
Quote from: I-10east on April 15, 2014, 07:28:17 PM
^^^I dunno, because they mentioned the act being 'historic'. I'm not sure if 'historic' means an old school classic band (Rolling Stones etc) or a big time current act like Bruno Mars.
Haven't you heard, Simon Cowell is bringing back Susan Boyle out of retirement.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxh5t5ZLQQ8 ;D
Of course major and historical all are pretty subjective. Not that I would consider Katy Perry either but we know how this administration over hypes. She is in Atlanta on 6/28 and Tampa on 6/30.
No inside knowledge, but AEG is putting on the Florida Country Superfest which starts on a Saturday. There will be tons of country fans in town for the weekend. Meaning demand for a nighttime country concert at the Arena will be insane. Plus, a big event Friday will help attract even more people for the main event. I predict a huge country act will play Friday, June 13th. Garth Brooks, with the revolver, in the conservatory.
Quote from: CityLife on April 15, 2014, 08:46:01 PM
No inside knowledge, but AEG is putting on the Florida Country Superfest which starts on a Saturday. There will be tons of country fans in town for the weekend. Meaning demand for a nighttime country concert at the Arena will be insane. I predict a huge country act will play Friday, June 13th. Garth Brooks, with the revolver, in the conservatory.
or maybe it's Chris Gaines. ;D
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on April 15, 2014, 08:52:01 PM
Quote from: CityLife on April 15, 2014, 08:46:01 PM
No inside knowledge, but AEG is putting on the Florida Country Superfest which starts on a Saturday. There will be tons of country fans in town for the weekend. Meaning demand for a nighttime country concert at the Arena will be insane. I predict a huge country act will play Friday, June 13th. Garth Brooks, with the revolver, in the conservatory.
or maybe it's Chris Gaines. ;D
Chris Gaines is way to cool for the Arena. He'll probably play an afterparty at Underbelly.
My guess is Micheal Jackson and Elvis... 8)
Quote from: BridgeTroll on April 16, 2014, 07:44:53 AM
My guess is Micheal Jackson and Elvis... 8)
Now that would be historic.
I am sure it will be a major act coming to the arena, which honestly is a big story. But the city throwing around words like "historical" is extreme hyperbole unless it is something actuallty historic...which seems unlikely.
Maybe they are bringing back hockey!!!!
^^^It's gonna be an entertainment event, not sports.
Maybe it's Jay-Z and Beyonce. They are supposed to be touring together this summer.
Oh, the suspense....The Mother of all Announcements. Biblical proportions.
It's probably going to be Paul McCartney. Possibly "historical" if Ringo and holograms of John and George are there.
Quote from: blizz01 on April 16, 2014, 10:39:31 AM
Oh, the suspense....The Mother of all Announcements. Biblical proportions.
Wait...so it could be Tebow related??
I'm excited.
Official. Paul McCartney.
Quote from: blizz01 on April 16, 2014, 11:08:10 AM
Official. Paul McCartney.
Cool. Historic? Considering he played the Super Bowl here in 2005. No.
And with the Beatles....
June 22nd - wish he was playing in the stadium, really. Still a HUGE event, but my paycheck's going toward to the USMNT match vs. Nigeria. (& Weezer in St. Augustine the night before!) & DMB.
Regardless, still a LOT to be proud of in 2014 in North Florida.
Ok, that's pretty big. This is shaping up to be a great year event wise.
PAUL McCARTNEY
OUT THERE U.S. TOUR 2014
(http://images.jambase.com/features/newswirephotos/2014/outthere.jpg)
June 14: Lubbock, TX - United Spirit Arena
June 16: Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
June 19: New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center (SOLD OUT)
June 21: Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena
June 22: Jacksonville, FL - Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
June 25: Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena
June 26: Louisville, KY – Yum! Center (SOLD OUT)
July 5: Albany, NY – Times Union Center (SOLD OUT)
July 7: Pittsburgh, PA – Consol Energy Center (SOLD OUT)
August 7: Salt Lake City, UT - EnergySolutions Arena
http://www.jambase.com/Articles/121371/Tour-Dates-Paul-McCartney-Out-There-U.S.-2014 (http://www.jambase.com/Articles/121371/Tour-Dates-Paul-McCartney-Out-There-U.S.-2014)
Awesome! McCartney is as big as it gets. Going to be a hot ticket. Any mention of when tickets go on sale?
So will this event be called "Mayor Brown Presents Paul McCartney?"
sooo... I was pretty close with Jackson and Elvis... :)
I'm outside my realm a little bit here. Does this mean we'll be drawing visitors in from all over FL? That is a good thing.
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on April 16, 2014, 11:49:22 AM
I'm outside my realm a little bit here. Does this mean we'll be drawing visitors in from all over FL? That is a good thing.
Absolutely. When it comes to big shows like this, there are people that travel from all over to see the act. A lot of people even plan a vacation around it. So they may look at McCartney's tour and pick the spot they would most like to visit. I saw U2 in Miami a couple years ago and met people that had traveled from Brazil and Europe for the show/vacation. I was in Vegas last summer while the Stones were playing and ran into people that traveled there without tickets just in the hope of getting them...and of course to have fun in Vegas.
I'll tell you all this. It will be a very hard ticket to get. Ticket brokers will be all over it, along with the public. Jack Johnson tickets sold out instantly for the St. Johns Amphitheater, which was also the only Florida date for him. I got tickets, but don't know anyone else that did...and yea I'm not afraid to admit I enjoy the mellow sounds of JJ.
Quote from: CityLife on April 16, 2014, 11:57:04 AM
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on April 16, 2014, 11:49:22 AM
I'm outside my realm a little bit here. Does this mean we'll be drawing visitors in from all over FL? That is a good thing.
Absolutely. When it comes to big shows like this, there are people that travel from all over to see the act. A lot of people even plan a vacation around it. So they may look at McCartney's tour and pick the spot they would most like to visit. I saw U2 in Miami a couple years ago and met people that had traveled from Brazil and Europe for the show/vacation.
I'll tell you all this. It will be a very hard ticket to get. Ticket brokers will be all over it, along with the public. Jack Johnson tickets sold out instantly for the St. Johns Amphitheater, which was also the only Florida date for him. I got tickets, but don't know anyone else that did...and yea I'm not afraid to admit I enjoy the mellow sounds of JJ.
I don't mind a little Jack Johnson. As someone with small children, he is one of the few acts I can listen to with my kids and don't have to worry. I had thought about going to his show but I think tickets were already sold out before they were even open to the general public.
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on April 16, 2014, 11:49:22 AM
I'm outside my realm a little bit here. Does this mean we'll be drawing visitors in from all over FL? That is a good thing.
It appears to be his only show in Florida, so expect a good amount of people to come in from Orlando, Tampa, and Miami.
Nice Super Bowl XXXIX connection.
Quote from: FSBA on April 16, 2014, 12:04:32 PM
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on April 16, 2014, 11:49:22 AM
I'm outside my realm a little bit here. Does this mean we'll be drawing visitors in from all over FL? That is a good thing.
It appears to be his only show in Florida, so expect a good amount of people to come in from Orlando, Tampa, and Miami.
More tour dates are being announced soon, so I wouldn't be shocked to see an Orlando or Tampa show added on the 24th.
That said, this is a
really nice get for Jacksonville.
Tickets are going to be extremely difficult to come by.
Definately Historic, this will change Jacksonville forever ::)
Just being a smart ass of course. Definately not historic, but a positive for Jax. Hopefully this will lead to us getting some other major acts
Quote from: duvaldude08 on April 16, 2014, 01:32:38 PM
Just being a smart ass of course. Definately not historic, but a positive for Jax. Hopefully this will lead to us getting some other major acts
Its historic as far as concerts go. You appear to have dismissed my earlier post stating that The Beatles are the greatest act of the 20th Century as merely opinion. Well when virtually everyone holds the same opinion, it pretty much becomes an accepted fact. The Beatles have the #1, #3, #5, #10, #14, albums of all time according to Rolling Stone's Top 500 albums list, which was voted on by other musicians, producers, journalists, etc. Yes Rolling Stone sucks, but its a fairly accurate list.
Perhaps you need to brush up on your music history.
Quote from: CityLife on April 16, 2014, 01:39:30 PM
Its historic as far as concerts go. You appear to have dismissed my earlier post stating that The Beatles are the greatest act of the 20th Century as merely opinion. Well when virtually everyone holds the same opinion, it pretty much becomes an accepted fact. The Beatles have the #1, #3, #5, #10, #14, albums of all time
Yeah, one big reason why Michael Jackson's estate is worth so much!
Quote from: CityLife on April 16, 2014, 01:39:30 PM
Quote from: duvaldude08 on April 16, 2014, 01:32:38 PM
Just being a smart ass of course. Definately not historic, but a positive for Jax. Hopefully this will lead to us getting some other major acts
Its historic as far as concerts go. You appear to have dismissed my earlier post stating that The Beatles are the greatest act of the 20th Century as merely opinion. Well when virtually everyone holds the same opinion, it pretty much becomes an accepted fact. The Beatles have the #1, #3, #5, #10, #14, albums of all time according to Rolling Stone's Top 500 albums list, which was voted on by other musicians, producers, journalists, etc. Yes Rolling Stone sucks, but its a fairly accurate list.
Perhaps you need to brush up on your music history.
Or perhaps I can be entitled to my own opinon. Sorry that bothers you so much.
I would tend to agree about it not being historic. This is not to take anything away from Sir Paul McCartney, who is an amazing performer. Now, if you said it would be his last concert ever, agreed. However, to be one stop on the tour, I fail to see the historic here.
Per Wikipedia, since 2002, Paul McCartney—by the time this tour ends—will have played nearly 300 shows. He has toured regularly in the 21st century. This is not historic.
But it is nice for Jacksonville and his fans.
And the announcement of a concert by Sir Paul McCarthy was the news you professed to propel this Mayor into an unbeatable position because of the earth shattering affects on the future of Jax. McCarthy is also playing in Lubbox Tex. so?
the more you guys continue to over hype every envelope opening in this town you continue to look like hay seeds. Always looking for that one big hit to propel your town into the world class city status. Stop with the silly comparisons to other cities to live up to. Document 260,000 people showing up for an event with free transportation and no gate fee is not a great city make.
If your attempting to become a professional journalist, stop with the outlandish claims.
What happens when Fleetwood Mac announces a concert date here? Is Sir Paul's date less exciting? Or how about the next farewell tour, you know, the Eagles are on their 8th round of "farewell touring". Great event, but really Mr. Mayor?
After all, you do have the "Alvin Brown presents Jacksonville Jazz Festival" coming up next month. Don't wear yourself out during the campaign season.
^ :)
Quote from: CityLife on April 16, 2014, 01:39:30 PM
Quote from: duvaldude08 on April 16, 2014, 01:32:38 PM
Just being a smart ass of course. Definately not historic, but a positive for Jax. Hopefully this will lead to us getting some other major acts
Its historic as far as concerts go. You appear to have dismissed my earlier post stating that The Beatles are the greatest act of the 20th Century as merely opinion. Well when virtually everyone holds the same opinion, it pretty much becomes an accepted fact. The Beatles have the #1, #3, #5, #10, #14, albums of all time according to Rolling Stone's Top 500 albums list, which was voted on by other musicians, producers, journalists, etc. Yes Rolling Stone sucks, but its a fairly accurate list.
Perhaps you need to brush up on your music history.
Calling the Beatles the greatest musical act of the 20th Century
is purely opinion. I like Rolling Stone, it's one of the few print magazines I have kept my subscription too, but they have been accused for decades of championing 60s and 70s rock at the expense of everything else. Hell, the same chief editor has been in charge of the magazine since 1967. If you take a close look at both their Top 500 albums and Top 500 songs list, they both skew very, very heavily toward these two decades when the magazine was in its infancy, as do most dinosaur rock critics. Don't get me wrong, a strong case can certainly be made for the Beatles, but is that case a total slam dunk over, for example, the Rolling Stones? Or Bob Dylan? Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson had more number one hits, maybe Elton John too. The Stones have had way more longevity. I'd even throw Springsteen into the mix. Art is subjective, and there's a huge leap between "Rolling Stone considers the Beatles the greatest act of the 20th century" to a definitive "the Beatles are without question the greatest act of the 20th century."
That said, we're not even talking about the Beatles here, we're talking about Paul McCartney. Different beasts entirely.
A really nice, big get for Jacksonville.
I just think that, as a Top 40 metro with a beautiful, relatively new arena, sharing a Paul McCartney tour with cities such as Lubbock, Albany, and Louisville should be viewed as another day at the office, rather than as a historic, earth-shattering event. The mayor's overhype about things like this concert and the MLS exhibition soccer games makes the city seem a little Bush League.
We're not Lubbock, Texas. We have an NFL team. We've hosted the Super Bowl. Michael Jackson brought his Victory Tour to the Gator Bowl for three consecutive nights. 70,000 people packed the stadium to see the Stones. Garth Brooks played six sold-out concerts in a single week at the Coliseum. Luciano Pavarotti performed with the Jacksonville Symphony.
Awesome, yes.
Historic. To me, that's a bit of a stretch :)
I've yet to see a credible non-genre specific list where the Beatles didn't finish as the number one act of all time. In fact, I heard a few years ago that in the Rolling Stone vote, which was done by a diverse array of musical acts, producers, critics, etc, the gap between the Beatles and the #2 act Bob Dylan was actually wider than the gap between Dylan and the #10 act. Basically, it was overwhelmingly unanimous.
They finish #1 in every poll, because they have a ridiculously deep discography and can be appreciated by virtually everyone. I'll challenge anyone that doesn't think they are the unanimous #1, to go listen to the whole thing and see if you still feel that way. Heck, just go listen to Revolver and Rubber Soul and that should do the trick. Every single resident of Metropolitan Jacksonville could get on MetroJacksonville and disagree with me, but the world is pretty unanimous in agreeing that The Beatles are the greatest musical group of all time....and trust me I'm not just some Beatles superfan. I'm actually a big Stones fan too, and have listened to pretty much everything from the 60's on.
If you want to argue that McCartney isn't a historic act for Jacksonville, sure go ahead...but don't be ridiculous and argue that the Beatles aren't the undisputed greatest act of all time.
QuoteIts too bad that your cocky, badly mannered, ultra conservative tea party candidate for mayor got Alvin elected, Mtrain. It seems to have put you in a very negative mood.
Ha Ha, not negative, I just appreciate a good ribbing at the expense of the Mayor. He seems to call a press conference everytime he sees a new Ant Farm and calls it the greatest thing that Jacksonville has ever seen. His "Cry Wolf" press conferences will eventually reduce him down to a cardboard cutout and punch line at parties, in fact, he is already there in many circles.
Can't wait to see the hordes wearing the "I'm With Alvin" buttons. lol!
I appreciate your direction off the forum to the front page for news. I will remain there with factual news and not your school yard blather. Good luck with your paper route.
McCartney is a big get, but I was just looking through the upcoming concert list in the area, and man is St. Augustine ever cleaning up on the mid-sized tours. Jacksonville needs to lay down the hammer with a competing venue and force all those darn hippies to come to a real city for their concerts ;)
QuoteAmerican Idol Live!, Sunday, July 20, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. No ticket information has been released.
Crosby, Stills and Nash, Sunday, Aug. 10, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Ticket prices and starting time have not been announced. On sale at 10 a.m. Friday, May 2.
Willie Nelson, with Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, rescheduled from Tuesday, May 6, to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $46.50-$96.50.
Carlos Santana, 7 p.m. Sunday at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Sold out.
Jack Johnson, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Sold out.
Styx and Foreigner, with Don Felder, 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 23, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $36.50-$96.50.
Switchfoot, with Thousand Foot Krutch, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $25-$80.
Weezer, 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 6, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $39.50-$75.
Boston, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $39.50-$125.
Counting Crows with Toad the Wet Sprocket, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $40-$80.
Goo Goo Dolls, with Daughtry and Plain White T's, 6 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. $39.50-$79.50.
Great point Ken. Worthy of its own thread really. I've been meaning to start one to call attention to it. The Amphitheater has been cleaning up for years, but what is more concerning to me is that the Ponte Vedra Music Hall is starting to get a lot of acts that should be playing DT Jax.
Recently Cat Power, Neko Case, and The Zombies have played there (off the top of my head). M Ward, Drive By Truckers, The Head and the Heart, and Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) are playing there soon. While none of those are earth shattering ( though some would say DBT are) imo, it is still ridiculous that a lot of the decent mid level local concerts are being played at an old church in the middle of nowhere.
Go look at Atlanta's concert lineups on pollstar...absolutely blows NE Fla out of the water, which is expected. We're missing most major and mid level acts anyways, but its even more troubling that the ones we get go to the amphitheater or PV Music Hall.
Florida Theater has John Legend, Rob Thomas, and Ray LaMontagne coming up which are all good pop acts, but still not enough for summer concert season.
Jacksonville has a SERIOUS live music problem.
The Tabernacle is a great music venue in Atlanta...will be checking it out this weekend
Quote from: CityLife on April 25, 2014, 04:16:29 PM
Great point Ken. Worthy of its own thread really.
15 pages and 21 months worth of discussion:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,14946.0.html