The Jacksonville Jaguars

[PeeJayEss]

Perhaps you should take another tool from your toolbox; the sarcasm saw is dull.  Is it overused because you lack logic & developed thought?  Maybe you're the only other tool in the box?  Teach a primate like myself. 

Take your pick:
<sarcastic>: Thank you for being so courteous. My sarcasm finger is now broken because of your amazing arguments against how I write. Therefore, you win at this discussion.
<direct>: You are a discourteous poster, and your attacks on post style rather than arguments against post content are misplaced and ineffective.

I think the sarcastic one is a bit more fun myself.

I won't itemize examples of events because we could argue those forever.  My point is that your dear friend Beyonce, along with top caliber events; won't consider Jax at all without a Class A venue. 

Whatever my writing style, you have made a point of not making a point about your original point (and "dear friend Beyonce" sounds like sarcasm to me, oh great and unsarcastic linguist). Nonetheless, if Beyonce does not consider Jax, it will be because there is not enough interest for her to sell tickets (I don't know if there is enough interest or not, there very well may be). Musical acts bring their own stage and video equipment, they wouldn't be relying on the jumbotron. So if it's not musical acts, and its not a BCS Championship, what "top caliber events" are we talking about? You claim there are benefits, but refuse to discuss any.

A scoreboard will in no way quell new stadium talk

[downtownjag]

Perhaps you should take another tool from your toolbox; the sarcasm saw is dull.  Is it overused because you lack logic & developed thought?  Maybe you're the only other tool in the box?  Teach a primate like myself. 

Take your pick:
<sarcastic>: Thank you for being so courteous. My sarcasm finger is now broken because of your amazing arguments against how I write. Therefore, you win at this discussion.
<direct>: You are a discourteous poster, and your attacks on post style rather than arguments against post content are misplaced and ineffective.

I think the sarcastic one is a bit more fun myself.

I won't itemize examples of events because we could argue those forever.  My point is that your dear friend Beyonce, along with top caliber events; won't consider Jax at all without a Class A venue. 

Whatever my writing style, you have made a point of not making a point about your original point (and "dear friend Beyonce" sounds like sarcasm to me, oh great and unsarcastic linguist). Nonetheless, if Beyonce does not consider Jax, it will be because there is not enough interest for her to sell tickets (I don't know if there is enough interest or not, there very well may be). Musical acts bring their own stage and video equipment, they wouldn't be relying on the jumbotron. So if it's not musical acts, and its not a BCS Championship, what "top caliber events" are we talking about? You claim there are benefits, but refuse to discuss any.

A scoreboard will in no way quell new stadium talk

We won't see eye to eye on this & I presume we're both too busy to bicker about it.

[Captain Zissou]

About the complainers - a friend commented that we could win the next ten Superbowls, and Jags fans would still find something to complain about.

Hi premise is flawed.

Understood; I completely agree with the Jags that it's a very good investment for the City.  In the era of billion dollar stadiums, I'll take 50 million to keep the tenant happy.  Especially one that's doing so much for the community.

Yes, because a city that can't mow its grass or keep its libraries open really needs to spend 50 mil on an unnecessary best-in-class scoreboard. If you think the scoreboard is the only thing standing between Jax hosting the BCS Championship or other big events, you are delusional. We could use a paltry 10 million just to bribe the BCS officials for the game (that's how everything in college football works anyway). Then we can have 5 in a row for the price of a silly, albeit impressive and awesome!, scoreboard.

I can get sarcastic if you want to, sport.  Or we can talk like adults.  The stadium's livelyhood relies on having tenants; which I'm sure you totally understand.  To attract and maintain tenants; you must offer what they're looking for.  Now if you'd like to take any/all profits that the stadium generates and use that money elsewhere; let's see how long you have tenants at your stadium.  Or, as outrageous as it sounds, re-invest the money earned into an improved stadium and fan experience and continue to attract.

The BCS Championship was just an example.  My point is that the better the venue, the better tenants/events we will attract.  Letting the stadium continue to become outdated doesn't help anything. 

Who exactly are the Tenants at Everbank besides the Jags?  Monster trucks??  They need a field and seats.  No jumbo-tron will make them more or less like to come to jax.  As PJ stated, most large musical acts travel with their own equipment/staging, so they don't need jumbotrons or luxury boxes.  If Beyonce thought she could get 60,000 to pay the $150+ that her concerts cost, she'd be here.  In addition, most musical acts would be at the arena and they aren't coming to Jax for demographic issues, not stadium ammenities.  The jags definitely need to be appeased, but we also need to know when to say no.  There are more pressing issues in our city than them, which we need to address first.  The jags aren't going anywhere for a few years at least and if the on field performance picked up it would do far more for attendance than any stadium improvement could.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Why do I get the feeling that the point that DTJ made originally is being completely overlooked and ignored?

If you throw the $50MM at the stadium now, it may prevent having to spend $10B in 6-8 years.  I said, "may".

Our stadium is already nice  it has plenty of seating available; it even has room to expand.  Why not add the video board?  Here's a better idea, why not find the middle ground and compromise.  Less money, smaller boards - because it's definitely an upgrade that we need.

Other events:  More futball, lacross, rugby, more college games, just more in general.

[copperfiend]

Who exactly are the Tenants at Everbank besides the Jags?  Monster trucks??  They need a field and seats.  No jumbo-tron will make them more or less like to come to jax.  As PJ stated, most large musical acts travel with their own equipment/staging, so they don't need jumbotrons or luxury boxes.  If Beyonce thought she could get 60,000 to pay the $150+ that her concerts cost, she'd be here.  In addition, most musical acts would be at the arena and they aren't coming to Jax for demographic issues, not stadium ammenities.  The jags definitely need to be appeased, but we also need to know when to say no.  There are more pressing issues in our city than them, which we need to address first.  The jags aren't going anywhere for a few years at least and if the on field performance picked up it would do far more for attendance than any stadium improvement could.

It's not just the Jaguars.

The Gator Bowl Association in there as well.

And I am pretty sure we are having two soccer games in the next two weeks as well.

[duvaldude08]

Who exactly are the Tenants at Everbank besides the Jags?  Monster trucks??  They need a field and seats.  No jumbo-tron will make them more or less like to come to jax.  As PJ stated, most large musical acts travel with their own equipment/staging, so they don't need jumbotrons or luxury boxes.  If Beyonce thought she could get 60,000 to pay the $150+ that her concerts cost, she'd be here.  In addition, most musical acts would be at the arena and they aren't coming to Jax for demographic issues, not stadium ammenities.  The jags definitely need to be appeased, but we also need to know when to say no.  There are more pressing issues in our city than them, which we need to address first.  The jags aren't going anywhere for a few years at least and if the on field performance picked up it would do far more for attendance than any stadium improvement could.

It's not just the Jaguars.

The Gator Bowl Association in there as well.

And I am pretty sure we are having two soccer games in the next two weeks as well.

Not to mention, it will help us compete for more high profile sporting events. ITs a win win for everyone. And as you stated, better to spend that now, then wait until our lease is up and ask the city to pony up 1 billion dollars to build a new stadium. It is what it is. I dont understand the complaints. Its like having a house, you spend the money for up keep now, it will cost you much less in the long run. Not to mention, its Khan's team and he can do whatever the hell he pleases.

[KenFSU]

A few random thoughts on the press conference:

On revenue, I think it's a little bit unfair to compare Jacksonville's 1995 revenue to last year as Lamping did, and I hope Khan's expectations for the market are realistic. If you look at major league sports across the board, revenue tends far more often than not to be a function of market size and corporate presence. Small market expansion franchises, especially winning franchises, tend to significantly overperform in their first few seasons (see: Oklahoma City Thunder, Charlotte Hornets, etc.), before ultimately reverting back down to the mean. Even Wayne Weaver referred to revenue those first few years as "artificial." Moving up a few notches is certainly attainable, perhaps even as high as 20, but we'll realistically never be number two again.

I definitely like the proposed changes, however. It's an incredibly tough sell to raise ticket prices for 2013 after such an abysmal 2012, and I'm glad the team realized that and kept price increases to a minimum. Hold the video boards off until 2014, though, put a better team on the field this season that starts to give fans hope for the future, and give the economy another year to recover, and you could probably hike ticket prices up by $10 a piece for the 2014 season without much complaint.

The video boards are a necessity. In today's NFL, if you don't keep up with the Jones, you risk losing your franchise. The at-home gameday experience has, for many people, overtaken spending a day at the stadium, and you really need to continue giving fans new, exciting reasons to come to the stadium on Sundays. If the Jags were willing to cover a portion of the costs (perhaps half, to be offset by increased ticket prices), it seems like a no-brainer long term investment for the city.

London was a brilliant move, and I wouldn't be opposed to playing one preseason and one regular season "home" game in London, just because it takes a little of the financial pressure off of Jacksonville citizens and strengthens to the team's financial stability.

Overall, despite the poor play on the field, I really don't know if I've ever been this optimistic about the franchise's future here in Jacksonville

[Wacca Pilatka]

Hey there stranger! I agree about the attendance thing. After reading that the Raiders are reducing their capacity to 53,200 to avoid blackouts, it made be even more upset people constantly rag us about our attendance. The ticket revenue shows are ticket pricing is too low. They are making the right move by increasing little by little over time and introducing more premium seating. Never again will we be content at being at the bottom.

I'm excited about the field seating option for both revenue and aesthetic reasons.  Lamping was a great add for this franchise.

P.S.: NRW!  Where have you BEEN!

[downtownjag]

Thanks for the support & constructive disagreements.  If you look at the stadium; it's starting to fall to disrepair.  The seats need to be replaced (that came up a few years ago), the decorative iron fence that surrounds the stadium is rusting; and yes, the scoreboard is totally outdated.

I just can't agree with anyone who's gonna totally write off a new scoreboard as A. helping the gameday experience and perhaps leading to more events, and b. tell me that it doesn't go a long way in curtailing the new stadium conversation. 

[downtownjag]

Now if you'll excuse me; Pho sounds delicious today.

[downtownjag]

A few random thoughts on the press conference:

On revenue, I think it's a little bit unfair to compare Jacksonville's 1995 revenue to last year as Lamping did, and I hope Khan's expectations for the market are realistic. If you look at major league sports across the board, revenue tends far more often than not to be a function of market size and corporate presence. Small market expansion franchises, especially winning franchises, tend to significantly overperform in their first few seasons (see: Oklahoma City Thunder, Charlotte Hornets, etc.), before ultimately reverting back down to the mean. Even Wayne Weaver referred to revenue those first few years as "artificial." Moving up a few notches is certainly attainable, perhaps even as high as 20, but we'll realistically never be number two again.

I definitely like the proposed changes, however. It's an incredibly tough sell to raise ticket prices for 2013 after such an abysmal 2012, and I'm glad the team realized that and kept price increases to a minimum. Hold the video boards off until 2014, though, put a better team on the field this season that starts to give fans hope for the future, and give the economy another year to recover, and you could probably hike ticket prices up by $10 a piece for the 2014 season without much complaint.

The video boards are a necessity. In today's NFL, if you don't keep up with the Jones, you risk losing your franchise. The at-home gameday experience has, for many people, overtaken spending a day at the stadium, and you really need to continue giving fans new, exciting reasons to come to the stadium on Sundays. If the Jags were willing to cover a portion of the costs (perhaps half, to be offset by increased ticket prices), it seems like a no-brainer long term investment for the city.

London was a brilliant move, and I wouldn't be opposed to playing one preseason and one regular season "home" game in London, just because it takes a little of the financial pressure off of Jacksonville citizens and strengthens to the team's financial stability.

Overall, despite the poor play on the field, I really don't know if I've ever been this optimistic about the franchise's future here in Jacksonville

Great Post!

[duvaldude08]

Thanks for the support & constructive disagreements.  If you look at the stadium; it's starting to fall to disrepair.  The seats need to be replaced (that came up a few years ago), the decorative iron fence that surrounds the stadium is rusting; and yes, the scoreboard is totally outdated.

I just can't agree with anyone who's gonna totally write off a new scoreboard as A. helping the gameday experience and perhaps leading to more events, and b. tell me that it doesn't go a long way in curtailing the new stadium conversation.

Now I wouldnt say despair. That quite an over exaggeration. Despair sounds as if the entire things is crumbling to the ground. It needs updates, but its fair from "despair." And I do agree on the seats. They are very faded from the sun. For visual purposes, I say they need to be replaced. Possibly with something that wont fade as badly? (not sure what that would be though)  And a fence starting to rust...... Thats not exactly something that would you cause your franchise to relocate... and yes..scoreboards are a must. Even if its not the ones they are proposing, bigger and better ones are needed 

[PeeJayEss]

Why do I get the feeling that the point that DTJ made originally is being completely overlooked and ignored?

If you throw the $50MM at the stadium now, it may prevent having to spend $10B in 6-8 years.  I said, "may".

Other events:  More futball, lacross, rugby, more college games, just more in general.

Wasn't overlooked, I said it was wrong. A big TV will not curtail the desire for a new stadium. If the Jags ever get good and season tickets start selling out, they will want a new stadium so that they can make more money (seat licenses, better boxes, etc). A TV won't stop that no matter how big. Do the Jags need the BIGGEST TV in the league? Is there no room for compromise on this point at least?

And I am pretty sure we are having two soccer games in the next two weeks as well.

Wait, we have two soccer games in the next two weeks?? Is the scoreboard going to be built before then? Then how could those teams ever agree to play in that tiny-TV'd building?

The video boards are a necessity. In today's NFL, if you don't keep up with the Jones, you risk losing your franchise. The at-home gameday experience has, for many people, overtaken spending a day at the stadium, and you really need to continue giving fans new, exciting reasons to come to the stadium on Sundays. If the Jags were willing to cover a portion of the costs (perhaps half, to be offset by increased ticket prices), it seems like a no-brainer long term investment for the city.

The only reason you need to give fans is a good team. As long as the tickets are not priced astronomically high, a good team will fill the seats. Simple as that. People don't go to Heinz Field because they have nice TVs (or sweet ketchup bottles that pour ketchup next to the scoreboard). No one goes to Lambeau because of the high resolution. They go because they have organizations that consistently put a good product, where it matters, on the field.

$50 million could be used in the city in a lot of better ways than putting a big scoreboard up in Everbank, is that not true?

[copperfiend]

Wait, we have two soccer games in the next two weeks?? Is the scoreboard going to be built before then? Then how could those teams ever agree to play in that tiny-TV'd building?

Someone asked about the other tenants of the stadium. I said nothing about the scoreboard. Simmer down.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Why do I get the feeling that the point that DTJ made originally is being completely overlooked and ignored?

If you throw the $50MM at the stadium now, it may prevent having to spend $10B in 6-8 years.  I said, "may".

Other events:  More futball, lacross, rugby, more college games, just more in general.

Wasn't overlooked, I said it was wrong. A big TV will not curtail the desire for a new stadium. If the Jags ever get good and season tickets start selling out, they will want a new stadium so that they can make more money (seat licenses, better boxes, etc). A TV won't stop that no matter how big. Do the Jags need the BIGGEST TV in the league? Is there no room for compromise on this point at least?

Damn, skippy, that's some pretty snazzy SD editing right there.  Let me help you with that, Sparky:

Our stadium is already nice  it has plenty of seating available; it even has room to expand.  Why not add the video board?  Here's a better idea, why not find the middle ground and compromise.  Less money, smaller boards - because it's definitely an upgrade that we need.

Now that that issue is settled, let's delve into this little nugget:

$50 million could be used in the city in a lot of better ways than putting a big scoreboard up in Everbank, is that not true?

I can't don't want to get into the economics of this, but there are funds collected specifically for stadium renovations.  You can't lump the lack of money in the library fund in with a surplus of money in the football fund - it doesn't work that way.  Sure, it'd be nice if Khan hopped onto his boat, steamed out to where ever he keeps his money tree and clipped enough branches to make it happen, but he's got to ask the questions first.  Chances are if he asks the right questions and with enough frequency, he's going to get what he wants.