Staff Writer
Jeff Bouchy knew the Arena Football 1 product would work in Jacksonville. It was just a matter of involving fans and local businesses.
Off to an 8-4 start, the Jacksonville Sharks have been successful on the field and Bouchy, the team’s managing partner, said his initial belief held true.
“Things are going great,” said Bouchy, of the team’s off-field success. “It (the business model) works. It just works.”
In terms of fan base, the team’s six home games have drawn just under 11,000 fans a game, putting the Sharks fourth in the league in average attendance.
That could potentially rise, though, as the team’s final two home games – against instate rival Tampa Bay and league-leading Spokane – are already drawing well at the box office, said Bouchy. In addition to the fans coming to see the team for themselves, TV ratings have been strong, he said, and several telecasts on the NFL Network have boosted visibility locally and nationally.
Bouchy affectionately refers to the Arena atmosphere and energy leaving fans “feeling like they got hit in the head with a frying pan.”
Selling businesses on the Arena concept was more of an initial issue.
“Taking the game to local businesses and showing them how it could help their business has been the biggest challenge,” he said. “A lot of businesses just waited. They weren’t sure what it (Arena Football 1) was.”
The wait-and-see approach didn’t take long, said Bouchy. After the first game, several business partners stepped up and wanted in.
“They were in shock,” Bouchy said of their reaction to the turnout and experience.
More companies began calling about advertising, he said, and a local company, Beaver Street Fisheries Inc., sponsored naming rights to what is now Sea Best Field.
“More and more businesses are becoming believers,” said Bouchy.
Yet, there’s always room for growth. The stands are around 90 percent full each game, said Bouchy. While team officials made inroads with the business community, securing more partners is still the biggest challenge off the field.
Season tickets for the 2011 season went on sale Wednesday. Bouchy said renewing current season ticket holders and adding more while keeping the price point low is a priority.
As for the future of the league itself, Bouchy said the business model (“Earn first, spend last”) and the on-field success of numerous teams kept the league progressing. Next year, three teams from Philadelphia, Kansas City and San Jose are poised to bump the total to 18.
“You’re always going to have a few teams not doing as well,” he said, “but the majority, two-thirds to three-fourths, are doing great.”
Bouchy said the plan set forth during the creation of the Sharks will continue, with the goal of entertaining the fans on-field and succeeding with businesses off-field.
“It works,” he said. “It just works.”
For information about the Sharks, visit www.jaxsharks.com.
Schedule
Saturday: at Utah Blaze, 9:05 p.m.
July 17: Tampa Bay Storm, 7:05 p.m.
July 24: at Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings, 8:05 p.m.
July 30: Spokane Shock, 7:35 p.m.
356-2466