Jacksonville for AFL expansion?

[SK10171996]

Does anyone know if Jacksonville, FL has been looked at as a potential expansion site for the AFL?

[Jamie]

I have not heard Jacksonville mentioned in any recent reports. But you can assume that if the Jags owner wanted an AFL team, he could have one in an instant.

[Rooster]

Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't they building a new arena in J-ville? Wayne Weaver bought the rights for an AFL expansion team a few years ago, much like Daniel Synder did for the DC area. Both have up to four years to activate the team or sell it. Remember, Benson bought the Voodoo back in 1998, at a very reduced expansion rate, and wanted to kickoff in 2003 but then the Hornets came to town. Thus, it took an extra year to get the team but JAX has always been mentioned as a potential AFL city as has Boston, Seattle, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, possibly Tuscon (new arena being built), Kansas City (voters deciding if sales tax increase will fund a new downtown arena), and the aformentioned Washington DC team (Abe Polin Caps owner doesn't like Synder and won't let him play in the MCI center).

[Pounder]

The arena in Jacksonville is finished already. It's already hosted a season of mediocre hockey.

The Jaguars aren't exactly filling Alltel (a touch less than 80% last year, doesn't seem bad, but when most teams sell out games, it's a competitive disadvantage); I doubt they can commit resources to an indoor team.