JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars suffered their worst loss in franchise history Sunday, losing to the Detroit Lions 52-6, and one local business is suffering for it.
The struggle of a season has had a ripple effect on not only the fanbase, but a local store as well.
The owner of Sports Mania in Jacksonville Beach says they have so much Jaguars inventory, that they don't have space to display it all.
However, one shopper says at least one person in her family is holding true to their fandom.
“He’s disappointed, but he’s right back there the next week to cheer them on," said Katie Overby while shopping for her son.
Overby's son is as die-hard of a Jaguars fan as they come.
So, she wants to make sure he has a very Jaguars 8th birthday.
“He’s a huge Jags fan so we wanted to come get him a new hat and surprise him when we pick him up from school," said Overby.
She had plenty of hats to choose from at Sports Mania for her son’s birthday.
Owner Mathew Smith says merchandise just isn’t moving like it does when the Jaguars are winning.
“Across the board, everybody is really disappointed," said Smith. "The foot traffic is a major indicator of that. Our sales are down 85%, easy, in comparison.”
Smith says he stocked up expecting at least an eight or nine-win season, but with the Jaguars struggling to 2-9, he may not be stocking up this much again any time soon.
With capacity restrictions and a move coming in the near future during renovation, Smith figures he could be in for a lean few years.
“As the future changes and the amount of people sitting in the stadium changes, we’ll definitely have to dial things back," said Smith. "Also, potentially find out how to be on site where they’re going to be playing.”
He’s hoping the hype, and sales, will swell again with the new stadium.
But at the very least, he can count on Overby‘s son rooting for the Jags through thick and thin.
“He’s just still there watching it, loves it and keeps rooting," said Overby.
Overby is also remaining optimistic about the future stadium despite the team's struggles.
However, comments on a First Coast News Facebook post show some fans aren't feeling the same.
Comments shared a common theme like :
“Let’s run out and build the new stadium so the Jaguars will quit losing all those games.”
“I’m sure they will play 100% better in the new stadium.”
The University of North Florida conducted a poll in May that showed 56% of fans supported the new stadium.
UNF Professor Mike Binder with Public Opinion Lab says that the same poll today may have yielded different results.
“When they’re this bad, you look and you’re like, ‘Really? This is what we’re spending tax dollars on? We’re raising garbage fees and giving money to a billionaire?’ I certainly understand – I’d expect that money to be under 50% for sure," said Binder.
Binder says no extent of the Jaguars being bad could derail the new stadium deal at this point, but it could impact what the development looks like long term.
"Some of the potential development around the stadium is going to be heavily scrutinized," said Binder. "If the Jaguars continue to lose, that’s going to be a very difficult sell. Not that it wouldn’t be anyway, but I think it’s going to be that much harder.”
Binder did point out that public opinion is fickle – if the Jaguars put some wins together, it could swing right back in the other direction.