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

[Wacca Pilatka]

I think one of the smartest things the Jags can do, is "regionalize" their market.  Unlike many  metro areas, Jax doesn't have any large areas within 90+ miles of this place.  If the Jags represented Old Florida (out I-10 to Pensacola and across the middle of the State from Ocala north) along with southern and eastern Georgia and into Hilton Head, SC, the Jags not only would increase by double or more their market but greatly expand their geographical footprint creating a larger aura about the team.

The players, the ROAR, Jaxon De Ville, Coach Del Rio, and Mr. Weaver need to do promotional visits to all these cities and small towns once every year or two.  Imagine the draw and PR they would get as "celebrities" in many towns otherwise forgotten and the indelible impression it would have on kids (i.e. future ticket buyers and ticket pushers on their parents).  A few years of visits like this (don't forget to bring your ticket and souvenir sales folks along) should spur some real bonding from these markets to the team.  And, the Jags have no professional sports competition.  It's all theirs for the taking.

Even UF, FSU, and UGA coaches travel the region every year to speak and stoke their fans, even with already sold out stadiums (well, usually.  Sorry, Noles.)  It just can't help but build the fan base.

Seemingly...hopefully...the Jaguars are taking steps in this direction.  Mr. Weaver's talk of involving Orlando more seems a harbinger of things to come as far as regionalizing the team.  Shame it didn't happen many years ago, but the response from Jacksonville and its immediate surroundings was so strong in the early years that a regional approach didn't appear necessary, I guess.

I do notice, in looking at 90s game programs, that we used to have a much larger radio network--quite a few more stations in Georgia, more expansive coverage in Florida, even a handful of stations in SC and Alabama.  I wonder whether expanding the radio network will be part of the regional strategy.  I remember seeing the Redskins as a major regional player growing up in Maryland, as they had radio affiliates throughout the southern tier of PA, all of MD and VA, parts of WV, and even into the northern half of NC.

[stjr]

Build  the fan base and the listeners' will demand and get radio.  It's a chicken and egg.  Radio with no promotional support won't work as you have aptly pointed out.  I tried to get the Jags a few games ago on radio in rural southeast Georgia near Savannah and could barely pick up a faint signal competing with a rap station.  Not for the feint of heart.

[charlestondxman]

You can listen to the Jags over WOKV (690), as they have a great daytime signal. That signal should not be underestimated.

It comes in very well here in the Charleston area, even inland about 25 miles. I've heard Jaguars games in Myrtle Beach, almost 300 miles from Jacksonville, and the signal invades deep into Panthers territory, heard all the way to Cape Hatteras, 525-550 miles away from Jacksonville.

The inland signal is also pretty good, heard to Winter Haven in the daytime.

If you promoted them well on that signal, maybe you could get some fans to come to Municipal Stadium.