The Jaguars - NFL Economics: What's changed since 1995?

[Metro Jacksonville]

The Jaguars - NFL Economics: What's changed since 1995?



It's one of the most talked about topics at the water cooler - the Jaguars - and their ticket sales woes. Up to this point, the Jaguars have yet to even be close to selling out any of their home games, and most likely will not for the rest of the year. It seems every national media outlet has had at least one writer take a shot at Jacksonville for the lack of ticket sales.

Today, Metro Jacksonville continues its seven part series discussing the Jaguars and the Jacksonville Market, and how they compare to other NFL cities.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-nov-the-jaguars-nfl-economics-whats-changed-since-1995

[BridgeTroll]

With that said, there is only one way to properly secure the future of the Jaguars in Jacksonville:

Buy tickets.

Great article!

[aaapolito]

While I think that naming rights for a stadium is a plus because it brings in money for the team/ city, I do not think it's as big of a deal as most people make it out to be.  There are 14 stadiums (out of 31 because Giants and Jets both play the same stadium) without naming rights in the NFL.  A lot of people make such a big deal that Jacksonville does not have a naming rights contract on Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.

[Wacca Pilatka]

Very true, but we need all the local revenue we can get.

[Steve]

While I think that naming rights for a stadium is a plus because it brings in money for the team/ city, I do not think it's as big of a deal as most people make it out to be.  There are 14 stadiums (out of 31 because Giants and Jets both play the same stadium) without naming rights in the NFL.  A lot of people make such a big deal that Jacksonville does not have a naming rights contract on Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.

Some teams are actively marketing naming rights (us), some are not.  For example, Chicago will never rename Solider Field.

On the flip side, there is a reason that the Cowboys play in Cowboys Stadium - they couldn't sign a naming deal either..

[gordo]

This is a great article.  Only about 5% of articles supposedly about "NFL Economics" ever even touch on the most important facet of today's landscape: the change from DGR to TFR.  This was a colossal error on the owners' part that they quickly recognized and hence their decision to opt out of that terrible CBA.

The other major factor in today's unworkable situation is the death of leaguethink led by short-sighted owners such a Jerry Jones, Dan Snyder, Bob Kraft and others.  The literal death of the NY Giants' original owners was a big blow to leaguethink.  Even though they had the biggest market and the chance to be selfish, they wisely knew the success of the whole league was paramount.  With them gone there really are no more large market owners with a bigger perspective -- it's just a "me me me" mentality.

Steve, you clearly know your stuff and I appreciate your ability to write it clearly and succinctly.  I look forward to more articles from you on this subject.

[cdb]

Good article, but I can't take it anymore. Buy tickets!!!!!!!!!!!! If you like football, buy tickets... if you want to get a great gift for dad, mom, uncle, grandpa, whoever, buy tickets.... stop making excuses, buy tickets.... the economy sucks for everyone, buy tickets.... this city loses this team and we will step backwards ten years in the eyes of the rest of the major cities in this country, buy tickets... its going to rain, buy tickets... its too hot, buy tickets... i want leftwich back, buy tickets.... del rio needs to be fired, buy tickets.... the jags are looking ok, if they win another game, then ill go, buy tickets.... im a steeler fan, buy tickets you're not from pittsburgh, stop lying to yourself.... buy tickets Jacksonville or we are going to lose the biggest national product this city has to call its own....

[cdb]

GO JAGS!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shwaz]

I've heard the business end explained in a multitude of ways and it never made sense to me. This article has lifted the cloud of dollars & cents.

Owners like Jerry Jones have always frightened me as a threat to the smaller markets and specifically the Jaguars... I'm glad he's out numbered.

Looking forward to parts 3-7.

[ntulip]

very nice. Please have more articles like this.

[Captain Zissou]

Awesome Article!!! Very clear but very comprehensive.  It's got my wheels turning.

[JaxNeedsHelp]

This is a great article. Overall, the Jaguars need so much marketing help. They don't give the team or stadium any sex appeal and they don't create any real desire to attend the games.

[Steve]

^I'd respectfully disagree with you.  When we go into Jacksonville and other small markets, you'll see that the Jaguars bend over backwards for the fans of this city.

Not to mention, shouldn't the 60:00 that happens between the lines be enough?  Isn't that what we should be going to see anyway.

[JaxNeedsHelp]

It should absolutely be enough, but it clearly isn't. I believe much of it has to do with the first full generation arriving. What I mean is that so many Jacksonville residents are transplants from other cities, that they brought other team loyalties with them. Now with the Jaguars being 15 years old, there is a generation reaching prime spending-influence age who have only rooted for the Jags...this is a good thing.

Also, I am definitely not the best person to debate football team decisions. I love watching football and attend almost every game but I am not a master of the game. That said, I don't just mean marketing in terms of buying silly newspaper ads or awful billboards. I also mean passing on Brady Quinn. Whether he was good or a bust or we got a different player, etc...I don't care. He was MARKETING, Baby! He would have had people in Indiana wearing teal (NOT an easy feat to get adults to wear teal). He would have made headlines instead of Jimmy Smith making headlines. All teams have their negative press but it is usually balanced in the city by positive press. We don't get that here. And the end result? I go to all home games and ALL of my friends are indifferent and they love football. But the Jags have not made it worth going to the games.

Lastly, don't get me wrong; I love Jacksonville. I have moved here twice on my own and am now a downtown business owner because I believe in this city and want nothing but the best for everyone here.

[Tripoli1711]

People in Indiana wearing teal doesn't put butts in the seat in Jacksonville.  Brady Quinn has not acquitted himself very well on the field.  I am sure Jeff George sold some jerseys for the Colts and Falcons, etc. wherever he was from.  I bet Ryan Leaf had a following in Montana or wherever he was from when drafted by the Chargers.  How many of them are heading to Indy, Atlanta or San Diego for games now?  Drafting players for "marketing" without any regard for their ability is a horrible idea for a franchise.  It adds up to losses. 

The only true marketing for a small market team outside of its geographical area is WINS.  Indy was always a laughingstock.  Now people all over claim to like them.  Same with New England.  People didn't hop on the bandwagon because of Manning and Brady... they hopped on because those teams began consistently winning (due to Manning and Brady, but there's still a distinction). 

Gene Smith can have a collection of total no-names.  No sex appeal is necessary.  If he builds a consistent winner that spends the 2010s going to a few AFC Championship games, wins the divison 7  of 10 years and wins a Super Bowl... kids in Indiana will start wearing teal.. and it won't have squat to do with whether the quarterback has sex appeal.