Quote:Does anyone know what type of annual financial impact the Jaguars have on Jacksonville? I've searched, but can't find any numbers. Some of my doucher friends think Jacksonville would be better off without the Jaguars. Of course, I think they're crazy, but would love to be able to supply some facts to back up my side of the argument.


For one, I think EverBank would become a delapitated eyesore without regular events taking place in her. My friends theorize there would be enough outside events to keep it running.


We are employed by our local government, and I always hear, "If the city wasn't paying the Jaguars all of that money, they wouldn't have to take so much from us!" I try to tell them the Jaguars are not taking anything from us. There are different priorities and revenue streams from which certain monies are derived.


Maybe I'm wrong, but I just can't see the city being better off without one of the 32 NFL teams in the entire world.

Your friends clearly don't understand where the bulk of the money coming from the city to the Jaguars comes from.  There is a specific bed tax that was put in place  years ago to fund the maintenance of the sports complex.  The stadium gets the lion's share of that money because they're the biggest draw.  That money can't go to anything BUT the sports complex, so your co-workers aren't missing out on a single penny of income. 

 

EverBank has seen more and larger events since the current regime took over from the Weavers.  They are doing the booking of events because it helps their revenue stream.  If the Jaguars weren't there, odds are the stadium never would have been renovated to the level it has, and as such, a lot of events that have been booked in recent years would have sought other venues. 

 

The city is better off WITH the NFL franchise and the attention that brings to Jacksonville.  Anyone who thinks otherwise is just upset that the Gators or Noles aren't the #1 priority in this region as they were 20 years ago.

 

It's difficult to get a pinpoint on what kind of overall economic impact the team has had since entering the league, but one thing is for certain.  The city hasn't lost a penny having the team here, and the publicity it has gained as a result of being an NFL city certainly doesn't hurt.  One thing that isn't taken into account is the impact having an NFL franchise has on local charity organizations.  Ask them what the impact is, and you'll find out just how important the Jaguars are to the existence of many charities.

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