Poll: Should Jacksonville seek naming rights deal for Veteran's Memorial Arena?

[KenFSU]

From 2013:

No Naming Rights Deal For Jax Veterans Memorial Arena
By Kevin Meerschaert • Nov 20, 2013

Mayor Alvin Brown said today he will not pursue a naming rights deal for Jacksonville's Veterans Memorial Arena.

Alan Verlander, the city's executive director of sports and entertainment, floated the idea a few days ago as to a way to raise money to help pay for arena upkeep and maintenance.

Just as when the possibility was contemplated 10 years ago, the suggestion created an uproar in the veterans community.

On Wednesday, Brown made it clear he has no intention of changing the name of Veterans Arena.     
   
"There should be a process you set up, listen to the veterans listen to the civic community, the not for profit community go through a process," He said. "I'm very disappointed it happened in the first place."

Brown said he also won't even support any proposal to add a corporate name such as CSX-Veterans Memorial Arena.

I've been banging this drum for years, but with all due sensitivity to our wonderful veterans, I feel like we're leaving absolutely vital upkeep and renovation money on the table by not pursuing a deal for naming rights for our arena. Veteran's Memorial Arena drives a ton of revenue for a venue it's size (http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2010/08/02/daily16.html), lies in the footprint of an NFL stadium, and is poised for even more visibility and success with all the new development in the area.

It absolutely blows my mind that, in the financial position this city is in, we wouldn't at least explore the possibility. $8 million, 10 years sounds about right, and there's no reason we couldn't flirt with a million dollars a year if Omaha, Louisville, Manchester N.H., Wichita, and others can do it.

CSX. Fidelity. Winn Dixie.

Surely there would be some interest.

Every other city has figured this out, why are we still living in a universe where making a sound, standard, inevitable, purely economic decision is somehow an affront to the veteran community?

[Noone]

Naming rights? Money for who?
Didn't the city council just pass legislation that  gave all the naming rights revenue for an NFL Everbank stadium to the owner?
"       ".     ".       ".      ".     ".       ".          ".       ".    ".  ".     ".         ".       ".         ". Baseball Ground, Soccer,  Community First to the owner?

Does Putnam county know about this?

PS maybe MJ can reach out to the attorney's representing the owners to explain the naming rights deals.

[Westside Guy]

I would be in favor as long as it was a local company. Even if the deal is for less money, I feel that it is critical for companies based in Jacksonville to be involved in the city and its public infrastructure.  As for the veterans in the name, why can it be " Company Name Veterans Memorial Arena?"

[I-10east]

I have mixed feelings about this; This poll is very polarizing for me. Even as a veteran, part of me just wanna move into the 21st century and drop the whole 'veteran arena' thing; We already have the memorial wall in close proximity. The name 'Veterans Arena' or Veterans Coliseum' is SO old school.

Almost every single one of these large usually outdated arenas all across the country with 'Veterans' in the name were built in the 50s or 60s. The newest arena (outside of Jax) that I see with 'Veterans' in the name is Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, which was built in '93. I also don't like these 'spilt' names to appease everybody like 'Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium' or what could be 'Firehouse Subs Veterans Memorial Arena' for Jax. 

[thelakelander]

I'd sell out to the highest bidder. I don't care what the name would be. For as broke as we claim to be, we're quick to shoot down ways to add revenue.

[exnewsman]

As a veteran myself, I really don't see the relevance of "Veterans Memorial" being on an arena. We have an actual memorial for that. I'd rather see a good naming rights deal that keeps the dollars in-house for continuous upkeep of the area. And we really need to stop giving away the city's portion of the stadium naming rights back to the Jaguars. The team already gets their portion, the city needs to keep theirs.

[CoastalJax]

In all honesty, I just always assumed the reason there was no deal already was due to a lack of interest.

But yes, we should absolutely be pursuing a deal. It makes no sense that the "field" for the Sharks has a naming rights deal but the arena itself doesn't. I find it unlikely that veterans would actually be THAT offended, given that there's still a rather prominent memorial there and that it never really made sense as a good way to honor veterans in the first place. Not to mention, with the city owning the arena it wouldn't have to give up the revenue generated from such a deal like it does with the Jags and Everbank Field. It really should be a no-brainer.

[jaxjags]

Your posts implies the Jags own Everbank Field. The city also owns Everbank Field. The naming rights money goes to the Jags is part of the lease agreement with the city.

[JBTripper]

Why not sell the naming rights and give a portion back to an organization that helps veterans? Something like Wounded Warrior, or another organization that would be less likely to spend it all on a junket to Breck.

Then the city gets some cash and the vets get more than just a symbolic gesture.

[KenFSU]

^Guys, thank you both for your service.

Really appreciate it, and it's one of the reasons that we all get to have nice things.

As far as naming rights go for Everbank Field, I'm with you on the frustration, but it really is more of a "Don't hate the player, hate the game," situation. The majority of NFL, NBA and NHL cities derive no revenue from stadium and arena naming rights. Doesn't make it right, but it's unfair to single the Jaguars, or Shad Khan out (plus, Weaver did it first). For the Jags specifically, we're talking $1 million a year in naming rights that the city has deferred to the Jags. Meanwhile, Khan has pumped over $100 million into Everbank out of pocket to help turn one of the NFL's mid-tier to bottom-tier stadiums into what will be one of the most unique venues in the country when the improvements are finished. I can totally live with that, especially if we want to keep the Jaguars in Jacksonville beyond the life of the lease.

JBT, I think that's a really great, win-win idea right there. 

[vicupstate]

If they sell the name, it should ONLY have that name and not have 'Veterans' in it.  Commercialism should not be mixed with a Memorial to Veterans. Do it all one way or all the other.  If the naming rights are sold, spend the money on a Memorial that is more than just a wall with names on it.   

[Ocklawaha]

As a veteran (USN) I actually think it would be cool if the city sought naming rights bids from defense contractors in Florida...

A local example?

"The  Northrop Grumman Veterans Memorial Arena"

Then push out a wall, add some seats and sell the city to the NBA! I know, I know...

[KenFSU]

Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena moved into the top 100 arenas in the world in terms of ticket sales last year.

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2017/01/25/jacksonville-veterans-memorial-arena-ranks-in-the.html

Over a half million people through the gates.

SELL THE DAMN NAMING RIGHTS.

[JaxVision]

As a veteran (USN) I actually think it would be cool if the city sought naming rights bids from defense contractors in Florida...

A local example?

"The  Northrop Grumman Veterans Memorial Arena"

Then push out a wall, add some seats and sell the city to the NBA! I know, I know...

I love the NBA idea, I believe this city could support another major team. In the past we weren't ready but with all the growth and businesses coming in we could be ready now to at least throw a pitch to the NBA. A sponsor for the Arena would go a long way.

[JaGoaT]

NBA not coming here unless there is an expansion