by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
It’s nearly a mile from Alltel Stadium to The Plaza Condominium at Berkman Plaza and Marina. The “Billion Dollar Mile” along that route may never happen but the “Matt Jones Mile” is a week away from being reality.
For the first few years Jones is a Jacksonville Jaguar, he will be able to walk to work. No, the former Arkansas quarterback-turned-wide receiver isn’t setting up a cot at Alltel Stadium so he can watch game film and learn a new position.
“I close on a condo at Berkman on June 9,” said Jones. “I want to be close to the stadium my first couple of years.”
Like all the other 18 Jaguars rookies, the team’s No. 1 draft choice was holed up at the Extended Stay on the Southbank during last week’s organized team activities. When the practices were over, everyone went their own way. Some went home. Some may stay and look around Jacksonville for a place to live. Regardless, they have a place to stay during the off-season until their fate as a member of the team is decided.
“Every rookie (drafted and undrafted) is provided room and board during the entire off-season conditioning drills and during training camp,” said Alisa Abbott, who’s in the team’s communications department.
The higher draft picks (Jones went in the first round, Washington offensive tackle Khalif Barnes was taken in the second round and Wisconsin cornerback Scott Starks was selected in the third round) will likely begin looking for houses to buy as opposed to renting an apartment.
If they choose to buy homes, the Jaguars have partnered with Prudential Realty Network (which is owned in part by minority Jaguars owner Tom Petway) to help the players find a home.
Since most, if not all, never have been to Jacksonville, the players rely on many sources to learn their way around town and figure out where they want to live. Jones’ family helped him decided on downtown.
“My parents looked at a couple of other areas around town,” said Jones, who is buying a first-floor condo. “We decided it was the best place. It’s nice and it’s close to the stadium.”
Jones, who has an agent but has yet to sign a contract, will likely get a substantial signing bonus and a three-year, multi-million dollar deal. Knowing that, Jones could have easily bought just about anything he wanted. With no family to support or house, Jones opted for something more humble.
“I’m not trying to spend all my money at once,” he said. “I want to save some money because football could end tomorrow.”
Things are a little different for former Virginia running back Alvin Pearman. The fourth-round pick won’t sign for big money and has no plans on buying anything any time soon. In fact, Pearman can’t even get around town right now and has no idea where he might want to live.
“I will definitely rent an apartment but I don’t know where,” said Pearman. “I don’t even have a car here right now so I haven’t started looking yet.”
The team doesn’t provide any housing assistance outside of what the NFL collective bargaining agreement requires. Under the agreement, the team has to provide each player with a weekly per diem and room and board during the off-season conditioning drills. However, the team does work with Jacksonville Leasing to help players who want to rent apartments.
According to Abbott, the team treats every player the same regardless where they are drafted.
“Each player is handled individually according to the type of housing needed, renting or buying, financial consideration, single or married or area of town,” explained Abbott. “We do not make a distinction based upon him being the first pick of the draft or the last rookie free agent signed. Each player is handled differently based on the individual needs of the player.”
Abbott said the rookies with families usually leave them behind for a few days that the off-season workouts encompass.
“This time of year, only the player comes to town. During training camp and the regular season, the player pays for his family,” said Abbott.
Times have certainly changed for players.
“In the 1950s, every player was on his own for housing,” said Vito Stellino, the main beat writer covering the Jaguars for The Florida Times-Union. “The top players were making $25,000 a year, which was good money then. Most players had to work during the off-season.”
—June 1, 2005