The National Football League’s (NFL) Jacksonville Jaguars franchise got an early Christmas present this summer. Their home field, formerly known as Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, and also known for having plenty of empty teal seats and blacked out television ratings, can now stake claim to a new name.  Everbank, a Jacksonville–based financial corporation, agreed to a five-year deal, which may have helped save the franchise and the financially strapped city of Jacksonville, with the stroke of a pen.

All things considered the Jags don’t have many excuses as teams such as Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, and the Indianapolis Colts to name a few, are all considered so called “small market” teams, but have yet to experience anything close to the level of financial scrutiny that this team has had to endure over the past 3-4 years.

Of course in this country, winning cures all ills. During the team’s nearly 15-year existence, it has enjoyed six playoff appearances and two division championships. Though in the last three years, winning has come at a premium as the last playoff appearance was back in 2007. Although it can be said, that the city of Jacksonville has more pressing fiscal priorities, they chose to forego the 25% or $750, 000 per year portion of the naming rights deal, just to add a little more of an incentive for Mr. Weaver and his band of brothers to continue playing on Sunday’s along the St. John’s River. If that doesn’t send a message to the hardworking taxpayers of Duval County, I don’t know what does.

Though ticket sales are steady, the pressure is on as the season draws near. Everbank placed its faith and possibly it’s reputation on the Jaguars and wants to associate its name with a winner on and off the field.  Just to ensure that the Jaguars maintain a clear focus on this vision, there’s this little clause in the contract which stipulates that for all home games that are blacked out on local television, it will cost the team $100,000.

Well Mr. Weaver, I’d say it’s about time you roll up the old sleeves, get to work and put a winner out there on the field. Besides, our city’s good name and future depends on it.

Go Jags!