Jags need a performance bonus to pay for stadium
As I watched the hopes and dreams of Jacksonville Jaguars’ fans collapse last Sunday with one more disappointing (and embarrassing) season’s conclusion, some thoughts occurred to me regarding the ongoing negotiations for the “Stadium of the Future.”
As nonsensical as it may seem, I want to share an idea with the team and with Mayor Donna Deegan.
In watching other NFL teams’ final games on Sunday, I noticed that on several occasions, it was revealed that something a player just accomplished on the field triggered a significant contracted performance bonus.
For example, a lineman made a sack, giving him enough quarterback tackles for loss to be rewarded with a $1.2 million bonus. A defensive back on another NFL team made an interception and it was enough picks for the season to meet his bonus worth $750,000.
It got me to thinking: Why can’t the city of Jacksonville do the same thing in its contract negotiations with the Jaguars? Afterall, it is what the Jags and every other NFL team does with its players. But let’s incentivize team owner Shad Khan for an excellent performance by his team.
It has been reported that Khan wants $1 billion from taxpayers to renovate EverBank Stadium. That’s OK; but let’s make the agreement performance-based, not just a total package of $1 billion without requirements. That will lead to bonuses for achievement during the game and in the community.
For instance, if the Jags agree to keep the team in Jacksonville for the next 30 years, that’s worth a base contribution from the city of $500 million, half of what is requested.
Afterward, let’s say that if the Jaguars make the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, they receive a bonus of $100 million. Every time the Jags win the AFC championship, Khan gets another $50 million.
If the Jags win a Super Bowl, the church bells will ring and the Jaguars get a $100 million bonus.
In other words, good performance on the field, i.e. winning, is rewarded in significant ways. It’s called meritocracy.
There should also be an incentive component that encourages and promotes community engagement and philanthropy from the team’s owner, as well as the players.
Let Khan front the second $500 million he wants, then be rewarded with payback when his team wins games.
Like I said in the beginning, it’s probably a nonsensical proposal. But if Mayor Deegan can pull this off, the Jags will get the money Khan wants when the team performs consistently. Better yet, the teams’ fans will be happy, proud and excited at the end of each season, rather than embarrassed – again.
Most important, taxpayers will be satisfied because Khan and his team will actually earn the public funds they receive.
Mike Tolbert is a strategic consultant who worked closely with the late former Jacksonville Mayor Jake Goldbold.
This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the TimesUnion. We welcome a diversity of opinions.