Governor Charlie Crist spoke recently to the Jacksonville Jaguars ownership about the possibility of drafting University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. Crist believes that Tebow’s presence will be an avenue for the team to sell more tickets, keeping the Jags in Jacksonville. 

Whether that discussion was right or wrong, this Governor sees the glaring problem in Jacksonville and wants to fix it. 

The impact of the Jaguars leaving Jacksonville would cost the city jobs, charitable support, and future stadium-based revenue. There are close to 2500 seasonal employees on a typical game day, not to mention the employees of the multiple businesses that rely on game attendees patronage.

Local charities that partner with the Jaguars Foundation will no longer receive the annual $1 million in donations. The charitable gifts from high paid players and the generous ownership (see Weaver Family Foundation) will travel with the team.

Any hope of Jacksonville to remain a contender as a site for an event such as the potential United States hosted 2018 or 2022 World Cup will be dashed without a state of the art facility. There is no state of the art facility without a team to fund the stadium upkeep.

The situation in Jacksonville is a complicated one. However, the answer to rebuilding this team’s fan base is not continuing the NFL-sanctioned blackouts due to lackluster ticket sales.

The economy certainly contributed to the Jaguars’ current dilemma, but the NFL’s policy only serves to further damage that economy by alienating fans from their home team, with or without Tim Tebow.  Enough is enough.