Jaguars behind in ticket sales, blackouts loom

[Dapperdan]

If they leave, they leave. Life goes on. I am sure they bring some element of business and such to town, but maybe all the millions we give to the Jaguars would be the cities again and then it would be an even wash? I love the Jaguars and try to go to at least one game a year, and watch it on TV when I can, but to me there are just much more important things in life. I like that theya re trying to market lower ticket packages and all and I think that will help them out with half packs, and flexible payments and free food. I think they are on the right track. Maybe we need an entire year blacked out to build up the ticket base again.

Losing an NFL team would be devastating for the city. How many events does Jax host that are shown on a national / global level. TPC / FLA vs GA are the only 2 that come to mind… I’m sure I may there are more but probably none that showcase our city at least 10 times per year.  

We usually only have 1 or 2 games televised nationally with the Jaguars per year at the most. I have never been watching a football game being played in Indy and said" You know what, this game makes me want to move to that great city and start a  business."

[copperfiend]

I am sure a Jaguars game played in October that is being shown nationally doesn't hurt tourism when they show shots on people on the beach.

[BridgeTroll]

I thinks so to Shwaz... A blow to the citizens morale... the loss of more than a few millionares... the loss of national prestige... the loss of national exposure... a reputation that Jax wants to play with the big boys... but simply cant...

[BridgeTroll]

I am sure a Jaguars game played in October that is being shown nationally doesn't hurt tourism when they show shots on people on the beach.

But they dont... not that I can remember seeing.  The beach is not exactly Jacksonville.

[Shwaz]

If they leave, they leave. Life goes on. I am sure they bring some element of business and such to town, but maybe all the millions we give to the Jaguars would be the cities again and then it would be an even wash? I love the Jaguars and try to go to at least one game a year, and watch it on TV when I can, but to me there are just much more important things in life. I like that theya re trying to market lower ticket packages and all and I think that will help them out with half packs, and flexible payments and free food. I think they are on the right track. Maybe we need an entire year blacked out to build up the ticket base again.

Losing an NFL team would be devastating for the city. How many events does Jax host that are shown on a national / global level. TPC / FLA vs GA are the only 2 that come to mind… I’m sure I may there are more but probably none that showcase our city at least 10 times per year.  

We usually only have 1 or 2 games televised nationally with the Jaguars per year at the most. I have never been watching a football game being played in Indy and said" You know what, this game makes me want to move to that great city and start a  business."

Why would you... are the beaches in Indy nice in the fall? Copperfiend is right... how many people with the NFL ticket or during nationally televised games see the beautiful showcase of Jacksonville, the bridges lit up at night and the kids playing in the ocean next to the pier and say "wow that looks nice... I'd like to vacation there" - what other event does Jax have that's shows the city in this way. You don't have to be a rocket surgeon to understand losing that is bad for the city.

[copperfiend]

They show plenty of shots of the beach from what I remember. Usually it involves waves and a seagull.

[reednavy]

I am sure a Jaguars game played in October that is being shown nationally doesn't hurt tourism when they show shots on people on the beach.

But they dont... not that I can remember seeing.  The beach is not exactly Jacksonville.

I've seen it on more than one occasion of the Beaches being shown, whether it be on CBS, NBC, or ESPN.

[Shwaz]

I am sure a Jaguars game played in October that is being shown nationally doesn't hurt tourism when they show shots on people on the beach.

But they dont... not that I can remember seeing.  The beach is not exactly Jacksonville.

I've seen this... I remember laughing at people swimming that late in the year which is too cold for me.. I believe I called those swimmers Canadians

It's not Jacksonville... it's Jacksonville Beach and in an HD broadcast it looks like heaven.

[Wacca Pilatka]

There are more than a few sportswriters who have been chomping at the bit for the opportunity to ridicule Jacksonville for losing the Jaguars.  They treated Jacksonville as the joke in the expansion race in 1993, and when Jacksonville got one of the teams, reacted not with respect but with an endless stream of recycled Waffle House, Hooters, no indoor plumbing jokes so they didn't look like idiots for dismissing the expansion effort throughout the process.  When ticket sales shortfalls arise, Jacksonville's are trumpeted; other teams' occasional or recurring ticket sales issues receive little play.  They make tons of references to the tarps without any recognition of the fact that it was a reaction to a stadium built too large for the market, or to the fact that the Jaguars generally have had respectable attendance compared to other cities (28th or 29th largest market, no real secondary market, 20th in attendance).

It will be a tremendous embarrassment to the city if the team leaves, because of all the reasons BridgeTroll mentioned, and compounded because these individuals in the press will make it their business to do an end-zone dance about it.

The good news is, I see no reason at all to disbelieve in Wayne Weaver's patience and commitment to the city.  The danger for Jacksonville will be what happens when he passes away or sells.  Now is the time to rebuild that base of support.  If you can buy tickets--please consider doing so.  It is tremendously important to Jacksonville's image and community bonds.  If you have no interest in football, donating to worthy local organizations like the USO, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Historical Society is an option.

[BridgeTroll]

All the more reason for the Jags to stay... while not "the end of the world"... It would be a huge blow.

[stjr]

I love having the Jags and hope they stay, but I have to agree the sun will still rise if we ever lost the team.

Los Angeles, Orlando, Las Vegas, Memphis, San Antonio, Salt Lake City are just a few of the major and/or successful cities that don't have NFL teams and seem to do just fine with attracting business and tourists.  On the otherhand, Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Oakland, New Orleans represent troubled and/or low or no growth cities with NFL teams.

Many reported studies have concluded that having a professional sports team is more a matter of civic pride than economic development.  People will locate to Jax based more on our education system, recreational opportunities, climate, healthcare options, jobs, and other local indicators of our quality of life than on whether we have a sports team playing 8 regular season games a year here.  If people moved here because we had the team, the Jags likely wouldn't have any problem selling out all their games.  But, this just isn't the case.  As already stated, TV provides plenty of football, etc. for the die hard fan.  You don't have to live where the team plays to take it all in.

I find it odd that people will pay hundreds and thousands of dollars for game tickets but won't invest $100 more a year in taxes to support such vital needs as education.

[Wacca Pilatka]

I can't disagree with many parts of that, but I am concerned about the psychological impact.  Losing a pro sports team creates the impression of being a lower-tier city unable to compete with larger markets, as BridgeTroll mentioned.  That (not the mere fact of having a team or not) may have a deleterious impact both on potential relocations to Jacksonville and locals' decisions on whether or not to stay in the area.

I thought Jax was a wonderful place before football just as I do now, but the national image impact of having a professional sports team and losing it due to apparent lack of support is likely to be significant. 

[Basstacular]

If they leave, they leave. Life goes on. I am sure they bring some element of business and such to town, but maybe all the millions we give to the Jaguars would be the cities again and then it would be an even wash? I love the Jaguars and try to go to at least one game a year, and watch it on TV when I can, but to me there are just much more important things in life. I like that theya re trying to market lower ticket packages and all and I think that will help them out with half packs, and flexible payments and free food. I think they are on the right track. Maybe we need an entire year blacked out to build up the ticket base again.

You do realize the Jaguars are tenants at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.  The pay the City who owns the stadium to lease it.  With the exception of the money the City dolled out to do the much needy stadium renovations, the Jaguars do nothing but bring money to this town.  I got it (and excuse my sarcasm) if we lose the Jags, then maybe we can have 10 monster truck rallies a year to make up the money the Jags would have generated.  It would bring a "higher class" of people Downtown and supplement the lost income of leasing the stadium....brilliant!!

[macbeth25]

I realize you might think they're not as important as the Jags, but the Jacksonville Dixie Blues are quite a good team and don't get anywhere near the publicity they merit.   Part of the Women's Football Alliance http://www.wfafootball.com/, they recently defeated the Austin Outlaws 55-14 to win the WFA's Quarter-Finals.  They'll play the St. Louis Slam in St. Louis on July 25 in a Semi-Final and then the winner of  the other Semi-Final in August.  When they're in Jacksonville, they play at Bolles High School, 7400 San Jose Blvd.  They have quite a record and you really have to see them in action to believe what they can do.  I think watching them can be just as exciting as watching the Jags or any other professional or college team. 

[Wacca Pilatka]

Macbeth, thanks for your dedication in keeping the board aware of the Dixie Blues.  I don't get to Jax but a few times per year, I'm sorry to say, so I'm sorry I haven't been to see them.  How well have their games been attended? 

I know I have read of a few NFL players (Marvcus Patton comes to mind) whose inspiration for playing football was that their mothers played in women's professional leagues.