Urban Meyer says Jags are having a ‘serious’ conversation about a new team facility
In his last few major stops, Urban Meyer has made sure his players have had the best amenities, which in return helped his teams win three national championships. Now that he’s jumped to the NFL, he expects nothing less and told Jaguars.com the organization is having a serious conversation about a brand new team facility.
“We’re having a serious conversation about a facility here, a brand-new facility,” Meyer said. “I’ve put together a sports performance team that I expect to be the best in the NFL. You’re talking about Jacksonville, Florida … no state tax and all of the above … weather. I want this to be the destination place in the National Football League.
Obviously, money plays a huge role, but if those start to get close: ‘We want to go to Jacksonville.’ Why? Great place to raise a family, great place to live, great weather, great tax situation – and oh by the way: We have the best facility and the best support staff and best sports performance team in the NFL. That’s the vision. That’s the dream I have.”
This isn’t the first time a facility has been mentioned since Meyer has been associated with the Jags. When he was in the process of signing with the team, Albert Breer of the Monday Morning Quarterback reported that facility upgrades were a huge point of emphasis. That’s not surprising when considering Meyer came from the college football realm where facilities give teams an advantage in recruiting. With him taking on a similar role in Jacksonville as a program overseer and coach, his way of thinking makes sense, especially with the staff being expanded full of new assistants.
Meyer’s statements could mean the Jags are eying an off-site location from TIAA Bank Field, which has served as the organization’s headquarters from the start. Approximately three-fourths of the league’s teams have an off-site headquarters away (or across the street) from their stadium, but some like the Jags, Houston Texans, New England Patriots, and a few others operate from their stadiums.
If the Jags were to get a new state-of-the-art facility, they would be joining a trend of several other teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings, who’ve even taken it a step further by building mixed-used mega complexes. The Panthers eventually will be joining the two, as they plan to move their headquarters to Rock Hill, South Carolina, where a world-class facility will be built for them.
The Miami Dolphins are also constructing a new facility with Miami Orthopedics and Sports medicine worth $135 million. It will be privately funded by their owner Stephen Ross.
Only the Jags know how much a new facility for Meyer and company would cost and who the cost will fall on, but it’s clear something is in the works. We’ll be sure to monitor the situation as more becomes available.
