Staff Writer
The spring social of The Jacksonville Bar Association typically is time for fun and family, but this year’s event also rallied support for a business that helps Jacksonville locally and abroad.
The “Paws, Laws & Vegas” event was part JBA spring social and part “Team Teal” rally, which offered JBA members and their guests an opportunity to learn about Jaguars season ticket packages and benefits while having a chance to sit in the seats before a purchase.
This was not the first “Team Teal” event in the legal community, but it was one of the biggest with about 1,000 people in attendance.
“The Jaguars are critical to this community, both as a business and a charitable contributor,” said Ray Driver, JBA Board of Governors member and event organizer. “The Jaguars have identified the JBA as a good source for a grass-roots campaign to support the team and we are going to do whatever we can to keep this team in Jacksonville.”
As of May 13, the Jaguars were 14,605 season tickets short of the goal of 50,957 needed to avoid television blackouts during the season. That was before members of the JBA and their guests visited the East Touchdown Club at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on Friday for an evening that included beer and wine tasting, time to speak with Jaguars players and management, a speech from “Team Teal” Commissioner Tony Boselli and the opportunity to play games of chance for Jaguars bucks. Boselli’s speech was enough to move one Jaguars fan to step to the ticket line.
“(Boselli) was very inspiring,” said Elizabeth Oakes, who purchased season tickets at the event. “With all that this organization does for the community, we need to support them.”
If support can be measured by merchandise sold, there was plenty of teal on display during the event, with Maurice Jones-Drew’s No. 32 the most popular jersey among fans. The team’s veteran running back was able to witness this popularity as a guest at the event, along with Marcedes Lewis and new Jaguar Kirk Morrison, who was the only one of the three wearing a name tag.
The JBA members also were able to meet Jaguars Chairman and CEO Wayne Weaver; Senior Vice President of Football Operations and General Counsel Paul Vance; Senior Vice President of Communications and Media Dan Edwards; and Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Macky Weaver.
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