Are the Jacksonville Jaguars headed to Los Angeles?


It is not news that the City of Los Angeles is building its very own NFL Stadium; it is also not news that this venture is looking for a NFL team to relocate there. It is also not news that the Jacksonville Jaguars have had a host of attendance problems, mostly due to that area of Florida being devastated by the collapse in the housing market. Jacksonville may also have another problem, there NFL market may be tapped out, and the NFL may see more value in having that franchise in Los Angeles, than in Florida. Not to mention the value that would add to the NFL’s TV package.

First let us look at this from a local level, even when things were good for the Jaguars their market wasn’t bringing in the crowds. In 2007 the team sold 97.2% of their ticket inventory and brought in just 522,410 fans. That was good enough for 22nd among the 32 NFL teams. In 2008 the team once again sold 97% of their ticket inventory, and brought in just 521,338 fans. For that year they were 19th among the 32 NFL teams.

Now the Jacksonville area is mired in the housing market collapse and the team has sold just 73.9% of their tickets. They failed to sell out a single home game until the Indianapolis Colts came to town in week 15. Since that was their last 2009 home game they will only beat the pathetic Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions in drawing attendance. That is not a good stat at all given this team is 7-7, while the Raiders are 5-9 and the Lions are 2-12.

For Jaguars owner, Wayne Weaver ad the NFL this may be a very simple business decision. Leave the limited NFL market of Jacksonville, Florida, and move into the near limitless market of Los Angeles the second biggest TV market in the country. Personally, as a former citizen of Jacksonville and someone who still has family there, I would hate to see the Jaguars to move, but I would certainly understand it.

Jacksonville Jaguars News and Notes

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