Jaguars: Stadium needs millions

[Shwaz]

I have another idea to use the stadium and tickets would be cheaper....  MLS is expanding...  they are looking to add 2 more teams.....  Imagine getting a $20 ticket to go the stadium and seeing an MLS game... or the Stadium actually being able to host concerts again...   and taking the Skyway from the Southbank, all the way to Stadium for that game!

So the city that has trouble selling out 10 games of a sport more popular is going to sell out 81 (home games) of a sport less popular?

$148 million would even extent the skyway another 5 miles. I love the idea of public rail transportation, but I truely believe this city is too spread out to make it logical.

[ac]

Winthrop,

Why do we have to lose one aspect of our city to keep or expand the other?  Other NFL cities have all of what you want from Jax.  We can't hang all of it on the Jags being here.  It's a symptom maybe, but not the cause of the issues you outlined.

We need to be able to both keep what he have and expand and improve all our city has to offer.

[Keith-N-Jax]

I've purchashed tickets as low as $42. I just dont see where that's exspensive(jmo). They also offer a payment plan on season tickets where you can pay through out the yr before the season starts so there's options out there for those who want to go, but may not have the cash all at one time.

Jax is better off with the Jags than without imo. There's no other sport you can bring here and get the same crowd we get on Sunday even with out a sell out. 32 cities have NFL teams I think we are lucky to have one.

The Jaguars as a team(organization) just need to get there act together and we will be fine.

[Shwaz]

would rather see us lose the Jags and keep some of the awesome, amazing, positive talented poeple that leave for greener pastures every year...

Who are these talented people and where are they going?

Musicians?

Moving to LA?

I've seen bands in Jacksonville play to 20 people, when they play to 2000 in other cities...  

How does getting rid of an NFL team help this cause, a cable access show? I've played in orginal music live bands since 15 years old and if no one came to our shows we didn't blame the Jaguars.

[GatorShane]

Winthrop,

Why do we have to lose one aspect of our city to keep or expand the other?  Other NFL cities have all of what you want from Jax.  We can't hang all of it on the Jags being here.  It's a symptom maybe, but not the cause of the issues you outlined.

We need to be able to both keep what he have and expand and improve all our city has to offer.

Great point. We should cherish and expand on the things we do have and that will enable us to attract other things in the long run. I am as frustrated as anyone about our slow like mentality when it comes to advancing things in this city. We have to realize that in the big scheme of things we are a relatively young  and new city when it comes to our ability to have everything in our downtown that all of the other major cities do. Do I think there are more important things we could spend this money on? Sure I do. But 
I still think this is a sound investment for our future. 

[BridgeTroll]

In another topic on this site... There is discussion about top tiered cities.  Jax is one of only 32 cities to have an NFL franchise.  Clearly we do get national exposure.  The name Jacksonville is mentioned on nearly every national sports show across the nation (and world) on a daily basis.  The only bad press we get is how bad the Jags are this year.  If we aspire to be a top tiered city an NFL franchise is part of the puzzle... We have a leg up on a lot of other cities...


MetroJacksonville.com > Urban Thinking > Urban Issues > Global Cities. What are they? What is Jacksonville?

[Charles Hunter]

I have another idea to use the stadium and tickets would be cheaper....  MLS is expanding...  they are looking to add 2 more teams.....  Imagine getting a $20 ticket to go the stadium and seeing an MLS game... or the Stadium actually being able to host concerts again...   and taking the Skyway from the Southbank, all the way to Stadium for that game!

So the city that has trouble selling out 10 games of a sport more popular is going to sell out 81 (home games) of a sport less popular?

$148 million would even extent the skyway another 5 miles. I love the idea of public rail transportation, but I truely believe this city is too spread out to make it logical.

I think you are confusing MLB - Major League Baseball, with MLS - Major League Soccer.

Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and was founded in 1996, after the country hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Now in its 13th season in 2008, MLS is experiencing a period of growth highlighted by expansion, the construction of soccer-specific stadiums, and the addition of new investors. The San Jose Earthquakes joined the League as an expansion team this year. Seattle will be home to an expansion team named Seattle Sounders FC in 2009 and the Philadelphia area will be home to the 16th team in 2010. The League announced in July 2008 that expansion to 18 teams will be completed by 2011.

TEAMS:
Eastern Conference:
Chicago Fire
Columbus Crew
D.C. United
Kansas City Wizards
New England Revolution
New York Red Bulls
Toronto FC

Western Conference:
Chivas USA
Colorado Rapids
FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo
Los Angeles Galaxy
Real Salt Lake
San Jose Earthquakes

Seattle begins play in 2009, Philadelphia in 2010; their conference affiliations will be announced at a later date.
SEASON:

   * The 2008 MLS regular season opens March 29 and ends Oct. 26. The MLS Cup Playoffs begin Oct 30. MLS Cup 2008, the League's championship game, will take place Nov. 23 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
   * In 2008 the 14 MLS teams will each play a 30-game regular season and eight teams will advance to the MLS Cup Playoffs. The top three teams in each conference, plus two "wild cards" with the most points after 30 games, regardless of conference, will qualify. The team that finishes with the most regular season points is awarded the Supporters' Shield and earns an automatic bid to the annual CONCACAF Champions Cup tournament.
http://web.mlsnet.com/about/

A 30 game season would be 15 home games.  If the tickets are reasonably priced, I can see good attendance at these games.  The old Tea Men drew good crowds.  A quick look at the DC United (Washington DC's team) shows single game tickets range from $22 - $50, with various discounts from those prices.

psst - Bridge Troll - only 31 NFL cities, New York has 2 teams

[Shwaz]

I was incorrect.... MLS is even less popular than MLB and JMS is too large and overkill for MLS anyways.

[ac]

If we aspire to be a top tiered city an NFL franchise is part of the puzzle... We have a leg up on a lot of other cities...

Exactly.  We should be more concerned with how our city has so far mostly squandered the opportunity and exposure afforded by the NFL being here.

That the city squanders its opportunities to shine has been a problem since long before the Jaguars were here, and will be even more evident if they were to leave.  The Jaguars have little to nothing to do with it.

[BridgeTroll]

psst - Bridge Troll - only 31 NFL cities, New York has 2 teams

Thanks Charles 

[Keith-N-Jax]

Winthrop,

/quote] We have to realize that in the big scheme of things we are a relatively young  and new city when it comes to our ability to have everything in our downtown that all of the other major cities do. Do I think there are more important things we could spend this money on? Sure I do. But 
I still think this is a sound investment for our future. 

Jacksonville is no where near to being young and new when it comes to having things in our downtown. If that were the case, how in the world would we able to host the NFL's biggest show the SB. Sure good and bad came out of that. National awarness was increased. It cost money have a NFL team, the city was aware of this before trying to get one. The main problem with downtown has been a long list of poor decision making and a resident population not aware or concerned enough to make city officials held accountable for their actions.

[Keith-N-Jax]

psst - Bridge Troll - only 31 NFL cities, New York has 2 teams

Thanks Charles 

31 NFL cities have team yes, New York is a state. There are other states(cities with in states) that have more than one team, TX, Ca, even Florida. When not counting Jax its still mention 31 other NFL cities.

[Shwaz]

31 NFL cities have team yes, New York is a state.

New York is a city too... as in New York City or NYC. The state of NY has 3 teams when including Buffalo.

Ironically though both teams play in New Jersey.

There are other states(cities with in states) that have more than one team, TX, Ca, even Florida.

Also OH, MO

[copperfiend]

Most MLS teams are now playing in soccer only venues. There are news one in LA, Chicago, Toronto and soon to be in NJ.

[ac]

Most MLS teams are now playing in soccer only venues. There are news one in LA, Chicago, Toronto and soon to be in NJ.

Would a proper pitch even fit in Jax Municipal?  Because of the curvature of the stands, the playing surface narrows in width at the end zones, and there's not much length beyond the end lines, either.  It would be a tight fit, if it fit at all.