by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
There’s a basic concept behind Team Teal, an effort by Touchdown Jacksonville: Revive the Pride. That is:
The more networking done by Team Teal members, the more tickets the Jaguars will sell for the upcoming season.
Perhaps no industry networks better than the real estate industry. Builders and Realtors have been working together for years to market and sell houses. So, it’s fitting that last week Team Teal and the real estate industry met to socialize and promote the Jaguars.
Hosted by Lennar Homes and the Northeast Florida Builders Association at Wynnfield Lakes, which is a Lennar community on Kernan Boulevard just south of Atlantic Boulevard, the event drew 175 to 200 people.
The result? The Jaguars sold 36 season tickets. That’s not a huge number, but the event wasn’t just about selling tickets.
“This is good for the community and we want to be a good corporate sponsor,” said Lennar Homes President Barbara Moore, who serves on the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission. “Realtors are the lifeblood of the community and the Jaguars are an important part of the community and we want to support them.”
Moore said Northeast Florida Builders Association Executive Director Daniel Davis, a City Council member, approached her about hosting the event.
“I know he’s heavily involved with the Jaguars in terms of being a supporter and we worked out the event sponsor details,” said Moore, adding her company does a lot with the Tony Boselli Foundation.
“It’s just one of those things we are happy to do,” she said.
Boselli is a former Jaguar and serves as the commissioner of Teal Teal.
Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver was pleased with the turnout and talked about how the entire Northeast Florida area is starting to understand the magnitude of being one of 31 cities — New York is home to both the Giants and the Jets — with an NFL franchise. Weaver also said he understands the economy is playing a major role in the decisions people make.
“It’s a great way for the community to rally around Team Teal,” said Weaver.
“I think the community really understands how important the NFL is for a city. I would not do this if it was just for me. This economy is difficult and people have less discretionary income. They have to make choices,” he said.
Andy Chambers is president of NEFBA, which has about 1,000 members. He said the builders are determined to help support the team and appreciate the impact the Jaguars have on the entire region.
“We want to prove to them we think they benefit our economy,” said Chambers.
“What we bring to the table is people and the ability to put on an event like this in short order. We were fortunate to get Lennar to support this. This is not about just ticket sales tonight. It’s about pushing and being out there and talking about the push that will happen over the next 30 days,” he said.
356-2466