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**Soolfelpecelf** · 03-22-2006, 08:00 AM

Jaguars' owner hints team move possible

Mary Kelli Palka
Morris News Service

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver said Thursday he has no intention of moving the team from Jacksonville and has had no discussions with other cities about such a possibility. But Weaver stopped short of guaranteeing that he will never move the National Football League team, saying no business can stay put if it continually loses money.

"If we lose money year after year, what would I do? I really haven't gotten to that point because, hopefully, that doesn't occur," he said.

For the past several weeks, the Jaguars and the city have been trying to settle a dispute over control of the electronic sign content and revenue at city-owned Alltel Stadium.

At the same time, the Jaguars have pushed to rework their payment schedule in an attempt to ease some of its financial strain.

One of the most recent proposals considered by both sides called for the Jaguars to make smaller rent payments between 2006 and 2019. The team then would extend its lease by three years and make larger payments in later years. Under the proposal, the city would end up with about $20 million more than it had anticipated through the life of the lease, according to a consultant.

But Weaver sent a letter to Mayor John Peyton July 14 suggesting the negotiations should remain focused on electronic signs for now. He said he sent the letter because there hadn't been much progress in the negotiations.

But in that letter, Weaver borrowed language from the Jaguars' 1993 contract that deals with breaking the stadium lease.

Weaver said he used that language because he was told by his attorney, Paul Harden, that the city wanted formal notification of the loss. It's an important notification because the Jaguars would pay less money to the city to get out of the lease if the team can prove such a loss.

City General Counsel Rick Mullaney has denied ever asking for formal notice.

City consultant Dean Bonham said that based on his estimates, the Jaguars would have to pay between $65 million and $100 million to break the lease.

Weaver said the letter was not a threat and that he has no control over public perception of the letter. Peyton said he didn't take the letter as a threat.

Weaver said he's committed to staying and has no plans to leave.

"It's never been my intention to leave Jacksonville," he said.

Bonham said in a letter to the city he had "confirmed that there are parties interested in moving the team to L.A."

But Weaver said he has had no overtures from anyone in Los Angeles or any other city about moving the Jaguars.

Bonham said he meant there are parties interested in moving "any" NFL team to Los Angeles.

03-22-2006, 08:00 AM	#4
Soolfelpecelf Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 509 Senior Member	Jags moving in the future? Jaguars' owner hints team move possible Mary Kelli Palka Morris News Service JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver said Thursday he has no intention of moving the team from Jacksonville and has had no discussions with other cities about such a possibility. But Weaver stopped short of guaranteeing that he will never move the National Football League team, saying no business can stay put if it continually loses money. "If we lose money year after year, what would I do? I really haven't gotten to that point because, hopefully, that doesn't occur," he said. For the past several weeks, the Jaguars and the city have been trying to settle a dispute over control of the electronic sign content and revenue at city-owned Alltel Stadium. At the same time, the Jaguars have pushed to rework their payment schedule in an attempt to ease some of its financial strain. One of the most recent proposals considered by both sides called for the Jaguars to make smaller rent payments between 2006 and 2019. The team then would extend its lease by three years and make larger payments in later years. Under the proposal, the city would end up with about $20 million more than it had anticipated through the life of the lease, according to a consultant. But Weaver sent a letter to Mayor John Peyton July 14 suggesting the negotiations should remain focused on electronic signs for now. He said he sent the letter because there hadn't been much progress in the negotiations. But in that letter, Weaver borrowed language from the Jaguars' 1993 contract that deals with breaking the stadium lease. Weaver said he used that language because he was told by his attorney, Paul Harden, that the city wanted formal notification of the loss. It's an important notification because the Jaguars would pay less money to the city to get out of the lease if the team can prove such a loss. City General Counsel Rick Mullaney has denied ever asking for formal notice. City consultant Dean Bonham said that based on his estimates, the Jaguars would have to pay between $65 million and $100 million to break the lease. Weaver said the letter was not a threat and that he has no control over public perception of the letter. Peyton said he didn't take the letter as a threat. Weaver said he's committed to staying and has no plans to leave. "It's never been my intention to leave Jacksonville," he said. Bonham said in a letter to the city he had "confirmed that there are parties interested in moving the team to L.A." But Weaver said he has had no overtures from anyone in Los Angeles or any other city about moving the Jaguars. Bonham said he meant there are parties interested in moving "any" NFL team to Los Angeles.
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