by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Michael Huyghue has formed a new company to bring entertainment to Jacksonville during the days leading to the Super Bowl.
Huyghue, president and CEO of Axcess Sports and Entertainment and a former vice president for the Jacksonville Jaguars, has formed JUBA Entertainment to aggressively pursue and promote entertainment before the game. He’ll team with the Florida Theatre to bring the acts to town.
“Unfortunately, I cannot comment on many of the specifics, but yes we are working on some good stuff for the Super Bowl,” said Huyghue, “things that I can tell you will be very exciting for the city.”
Good stuff, he said, includes special events at the Florida Theatre, a televised event on one “floating hotel” cruise ship and appearances by Olympic stars, professional athletes and recording artists.
While he declined to name names, if Huyghue’s background is any indication, former and current NFL players will be among those he’ll bring to the First Coast.
For nearly 20 years, Huyghue has remained in good standing with the NFL, formerly overseeing many of its executive operations. Today, his client roster is filled with NFL players.
“Again, it’s difficult to say much more about what we have planned,” said Huyghue, “but we do expect to be making those kinds of announcements by November or December.”
Super Bowl Host Committee spokesperson Heather Surface said she was unaware of Huyghue’s plans or if Host Committee president Michael Kelly was involved in the venture.
“I honestly don’t know what he’s planning or if they’ve had any discussions about those plans,” she said.
Surface said she’s focusing on NFL sanctioned events.
JUBA Entertainment, which was formed about five months ago, has already made plans for the Snooper Bowl, a Pop Warner football game scheduled for Feb. 5 which will feature local all-star teams.