Ground Broken on Everbank Field Scoreboard

[edjax]

All good!

[JayBird]

A conversation several weeks ago with my grandmother, who resides in Orange Park:

Grandma: I was just talking about your football team when I was getting my hair done. Margie was complaining about all this money going to those big tv's they want to build at the stadium. I told her my grandson loves that stadium and that team so I support it.

Me: Haha well grandma it's not like she is actually paying for them, it's going to be paid by people staying at hotels.

Grandma: oh no, she heard them talking on the radio and they were criticizing that cooky mayor up there because he was going to use taxpayers money. She the roads and fire departments and schools could use that money more than a stadium that has a few Sunday games a year and monster truck show. I'm unhappy that my tax dollars are going to that, but I know how much you enjoy them so at least someone I know is getting use of my money.

Me: grandma you don't pay taxes to Jacksonville and clay county has nothing to do with the stadium. The only way anyone will be paying for it would be spending a night in a hotel in Jacksonville.

Grandma: oh okay. That sounds alright. You'd think they could've done it without using any money from all of us taxpayers though.

Me: yes grandma

Bless grandmas heart and I love her but this shows that even though many on here understand the difference, the average person truly believes that these boards are being funded by their property taxes and sales tax. They have heard so much about the "burden on taxpayers" without explanation that most are upset for unfounded reasons. So yes, even though it is "taxpayer" money, every one should attempt to clarify exactly what money is being talked about.

[I-10east]

^^^Get 'em Jay!!!

[JayBird]

^ I never said it wasn't taxpayer money. Simply stating the need to clarify whom exactly is affected. Directly, those paying to reside in a hotel will be affected. Merely owning property, buying a cup of coffee or operating a business in Jax will only be affected should the primary source of revenue not be sufficient. So most of the naysayers are criticizing it based on the "what if" aspect. Yes it's all taxpayer money, you could say that about government expense, but the point I was trying to make was that the majority whom are against it, are against it based on hypothetical outcome or just compete misleading from the media. 

[JayBird]

And I'm not sure who could consider the gas tax as out of towners expense or tourists pay it. I don't know anyone who drives to another county just to get gas.  It's no different than sales tax.

[urbanlibertarian]

Why not just sell the stadium to Mr. Khan or a third party?

[I-10east]

Sigh

[fsquid]

Why not just sell the stadium to Mr. Khan or a third party?

because the NFL is a money loser without taxpayer funding.

The NFL is not a money loser simply from the media contract they sign.  Whether or not individual teams would lose money based on the subsidies they get is another story. 

[I-10east]

We should have not approved that bill, so that EverBank Field ultimately would sit vacant and fall decrepit. Then we could have marketed our modern-day Roman Colosseum as a tourist attraction. Dang, what could have been...

[I-10east]

Are you saying that the NFL would just abandon the site?

I'm not saying that they would've abandoned it right away, but improvements were needed to that stadium. An out of date stadium is the reason why the St Louis Rams are having rumors of relocating. Thank goodness that the Jags and the city had the foresight to do the right thing.

[I-10east]

^^^I should have prefaced by saying that the Jaguars organization is in control, so that question is a moot point.

[fsquid]

you are free to actually read the article posted above.

I did, it doesn't address the year to year profit of the teams.  It simply says that the subsidies given to teams to build their facilities was greater than the amount it actually cost to build them.   If Jacksonville wanted to remove all subsidies from the Jaguars tomorrow, the team could still renovate the stadium, pay rent, and still turn a profit.  Same with the Carolina Panthers when they were playing chicken with the Charlotte City Council this time last year.

The issue is that if Jacksonville or Charlotte doesn't provide these there are other cities that will.

[I-10east]

most of your points seem to be to me.  I really couldnt care less, and I don't even know what you are yammering on about, so just declare victory and move on....or something.

I wasn't even arguing with you. You sound like a jaded curmudgeon or something, LOL

[JayBird]

Why not just sell the stadium to Mr. Khan or a third party?

Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and the Redskins are all privately owned. There may be more. But some are also riddled with legal issues. I know Philly paid some or all to build then sold to owner and years of legal battles followed. I think it's still going on. And I believe Dolphins built their own stadium but now that it needs rehab, they are seeking a portion of the $225M to come from their bed tax.

I personally think if Khan, or some other corporation, were to buy out the City it would be beneficial for everyone. It would put it on the tax rolls, and it would also offer more events and programming because the owner would be trying to get their return.

[edjax]

Don't we already have a few other threads about the scoreboard?? Why not merge them all and simply title it the The Everbank Scoreboard.  Or are wanting a new thread when it hits 50% complete and then one at 100%.