Ari Gold is on a mission. As all Entourage fans know, the super-agent portrayed so winningly by Jeremy Piven is this close to a deal that would bring an NFL franchise to Los Angeles -- and would feature real-life players Casey Wasserman and Jeffrey Katzenberg as part of the ownership group.
In the most recent episode, Gold tells a group of moneymen, including San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman: "I want, and everyone in this town wants, an NFL team playing in a brand-new state-of-the-art facility within five years, all right?... Now is the time for L.A. to have an NFL team."
While Left Coasters follow the slow progress of not one, but two proposals for an NFL stadium in downtown L.A., football fans on the other side of the country -- specifically those in Northeast Florida -- are breathing a sigh of relief.
On Tuesday, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver put an end to years of speculation and head-shaking about the lackluster corporate bidding for naming rights atop the former Alltel Stadium. After three years with no partner, the Jags have closed a five-year, $16.6 million dollar deal with the Jacksonville-based EverBank. Under the terms of the agreement, Jaguars Municipal Stadium becomes EverBank Field, a well-run local banking institution gets its name on the national map, and the Jaguars (hopefully) put a stop to the never-ending speculation that the team is looking to pull up stakes and relocate to Los Angeles (or some other, larger city which can presumably fill the stadium in a tough economic climate.)
"EverBank's sponsorship demonstrates its confidence that Jacksonville is a viable NFL market," said Weaver.
Bringing further comfort to Jaguars fans, EverBank Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rob Clements told reporters the five-year deal is no one-off, saying, "We have the firm expectation this partnership will continue."
Sorry, Ari. Looks like the Jags aren't trading coasts after all. Perhaps you should get on the phone with Oakland or St. Louis?