JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars are enduring a tough season, and the ripple effects are being felt beyond the football field.
Local businesses, which rely heavily on the team’s success, are facing challenges as the fan enthusiasm that drives spending dwindles.
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At Jacksonville Beach, Sportsmania, a family-owned sports store, saw a booming start to the season. John Smith, the owner for 49 years, shared, “We hit record great sales in Jacksonville, and that kept going into September even with the loss.”
Matthew Smith, the store’s operator, highlighted the connection between the team’s performance and sales.
“You’ve gotta have your game-day gear,” he said. But when asked about the effect of the Jaguars' losses, he admitted, “We’re down about 80 to 85 % in sales right now. This is a win-loss-based business.”
Despite this, the loyal fan base provides some hope. John Smith explained, “We have a really dedicated fan base. People are still out spending money on the Jags, but they are not excited. They were optimistic in October, and now it has deflated.” To adapt, the store has diversified its offerings to include gear for other popular teams, like Florida and Georgia, in the hopes of bolstering sales during the holiday season.
At Strings Sports Brewery in Springfield, co-owner Trevor Adeeb has noticed a similar downturn in business. “Jaguars fans being most of what we do, you definitely notice a drop-off right now,” he observed. However, he emphasized the resilience of the community’s support, noting, “The great thing about Jaguars fans is they’re very loyal. Duval until I die, right?”
The struggles of the Jaguars don’t just affect fan morale, they impact the economic ecosystem tied to the team. As local fans mourn consecutive losses, businesses remain optimistic about the upcoming holidays. Taxpayer-funded renovations to the stadium promise a longer-term boost to the team and the local economy, but in the short term, businesses like Sportsmania and Strings need the Jaguars to win to keep their own momentum.
Local businesses are urging fans to continue their support, whether the Jaguars are winning or losing. After all, a thriving local economy depends on it.