Woody’s Letter to Fans
Our friend over at the Journal News Jane McManus has posted up a letter on her blog from New York Jets owner Woody Johnson to Jets fans. You can read the letter at Jane’s blog or here after the jump. Jane throws in some relevant insight on the letter in a preamble that is worth the read.
Below is Johnson’s letter bolded, and our thoughts interspersed, FJM style.
I want to update you on some important developments at the Jets. Last season was very disappointing. But during the offseason we made some important acquisitions in free agency and the draft. My goal this year is the same as it is every year: to field a team capable of winning every game.
Ok we’re off to a good start. I am glad that he feels like the team has invested in making some strides this season by getting better talent, and he expects success based out of those moves. If you think that having an owner that wants to win every game is a given, just talk to Cardinals or Bengals fans.
We are working just as hard to improve our performance off the field. When I walk through the parking lots pregame, the main complaint I hear is about the temporary loss of parking due to construction of the new stadium. I know it’s a major problem, which we are working hard to mitigate. Regrettably, parking will still be constrained this year, but we will utilize spaces more efficiently and promptly communicate any parking changes. Fortunately, the entire transportation network will be upgraded significantly when our new stadium opens. A new rail line will take you from Penn Station to the game in 15 minutes and many more traffic lanes will ease your entry into and exit out of the stadium.
Not to be snarky, but can anyone confirm whether they’ve seen, let alone talked to Mr. Johnson in the parking lot? Yes, parking is a major problem, but they complained because fans knew about it. PSLs are something we fans have been basically kept in the dark on, and only politicians and folks who were looking closely at the financing knew about. I myself didn’t know it was going to happen until I read “The New Cathedrals” myself about a year and a half ago, but knew it was a foregone conclusion. So fans really weren’t able to express displeasure with PSLs as they didn’t truly exist. As far as parking, I’ve ridden the bus … I don’t love it … but I know it’s a necessity right now until things the new stadium gets built. Yes it can be annoying, but getting out the Meadowlands after a game actually seems easier when you take the bus to your car, oddly enough.
In addition to parking, I know you are concerned about the overall stadium environment. I have the same concerns. As a father, I find it completely unacceptable if fans are uncomfortable bringing their children to a Jets game. That is why we are launching a new program called Jets FansFirst. This initiative is aimed at improving the overall fan experience through preventive and proactive measures. For example, a new system will enable you to notify stadium security directly via text message of any concerns in the stands and on the concourses. The details of Jets FansFirst will be outlined in a new brochure which you will soon receive in the mail. More information will be available on newyorkjets.com before the start of the season, along with updates about our new stadium.
Glad to see that we are addressing them in an open and honest forum, now that you’ve owned the team … for how many years now? Fans are fans, they are going to cheer for Chad Pennington getting injured (I’ve witnessed it firsthand twice) and call people in opposing jerseys derogatory names and get in fights but compared to some of the stuff that goes on in other countries, I’d say it’s tame. All the same, that doesn’t make it stuff that might not be in kids best interest of which to be exposed. As far as the whole Gate D thing, it was totally avoidable and for the organization to act as they had no knowledge of the situation seemed very PollyAnna-ish. I’m glad that are taking proactive steps here.
That there is now an anonymous, easily implemented security sharing system is a good step. I’d hope to see many signs in the stadium on gameday as well.
Opening in 2010, the new home of the Jets will stand apart from any other venue in the world. Something will always be going on in the new plaza encircling the entire stadium – whether it’s free concerts, live pregame broadcasts, or football simulations for kids. Entering the stadium along the 50-yard line will be an experience unique in sports. You will step foot into a soaring hall that celebrates our Jets past and present. You will move to your seats along concourses twice as wide as today and lined with virtually every conceivable type of food at eight times the number of concession stands. And about the bathrooms – there will be three times as many as there are now in the Meadowlands. The intimate seating bowl will offer excellent sightlines, rimmed by four massive scoreboards. There won’t be a bad seat in the house. Years in the making, I believe you will find your new stadium was well worth the wait.
No contest … the new stadium IS going to be awesome, and I’ll be the first to run around it like a kid in a candystore. For as great as it will be, there will be many longtime fans and some ticketholders who will be marginalized and stop attending games due to the financial obligations that the team is foisting on all ticketholders.
I know that over the years you have invested your heart and soul in this franchise. And while we will be holding an official Fan Appreciation Day at our December 14th game vs. the Buffalo Bills, please know that all of us at the Jets recognize, day-in and day-out, that your loyalty and dedication to this team are unmatched in the NFL. Thank you for your support. I hope to see all of you this season.
Go Jets!
Robert Wood Johnson IV
Chairman & CEO
With Favre jerseys flying off the shelves faster than any other, Jets fans have proven that there is a STRONG financial base that they would be wise to take better advantage of, otherwise, they’ll find their fans drifting away from the team. I just wish it didn’t have to be by imposing tarriffs on season ticketholders. Somehow the Patriots figured out how to do it without PSLs … since we mimic them in every regard … why not on this one?
16 Responses to Woody’s Letter to Fans
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vinnywasthebest says:
The Pats built the stadium far away from expensive land (boston and suburbs) so it was significantly cheaper. NJ local politicians were chomping at the bit for this, they all get a piece of the action. In NJ theyre all pirates, and as for the scuttled NYC idea, (im a brooklynite) the politicians here love making every project into an unsolvable quagmire, trying to make themselves look better for “protecting the public’s interests” by putting everything in neutral until it dies. Just like the Atlantic yards project. Its truly a baseball town though, because the Mets and Yanks didnt meet too much opposition.
I do feel that he’s trying to justify the PSL’s but lets face it, costs are rising in this area of the US and thats just how it is. If you want Jets season tickets, you will need to drive a Hyundai as opposed to a Chevy/honda to the game where you wont be able to tailgate anyway. You will be forced to buy 9$ buds and 12$ sausage and peppers. MAybe the bread will actaully be good and not soggy. Thanks Woody!
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charleyjet says:
I did speak to Mr. Johnson once in parking lot 13. It was his first or second year as owner. He told me the team would be returning to NY. We know how that worked out. I doubt he will be seen this year. If I saw him I’d love to tell him that I’d like his help with my mortgage.
I will boycott “Fan Appreciation Day.” PSLs really show appreciation. Phonusbolonus.
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zenlaw says:
My friend’s family has had season tickets since the 1960′s. The seats were given to the family by the Jets’ erstwhile owner. The family presently has 6 seats at the 50 yard line….10th row!
The family is willing to pay whatever the PSL ultimately is in order to keep these unbelievable seats. Recently, the family called the powers that be at the Jets to determine seating placement in the new stadium. The family was advised by the Jets that itwill not be permitted to keep the 6 seats even if willing to pay the PSL.
The Jets indicated to the family that 50 yard line seats will be reserved for corporations only. Furthermore, the family was advised that it will not receive priority seating in the new stadium. Instead, the family will be placed back into the season ticket pool and be assigned seats anywhere in the stadium.
Is this unbelievable???
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BubbyBrister/shovelpass says:
Poor choice of discussing the “intimate seating bowl” right after a sentence discribing the bathrooms…
And all of these 2010 amenities will only cost the loyal Jets fan …an arm and a leg. But hey, you’ve still got one of each left over, right?
“…so you’ve got THAT going for ya…”
Know-what-mean-Vern?
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droseatwork says:
I once saw woody in the parking lot, he was in his white escalade with a 3 car police escort and they took him to his helicopter. That’s how I knew it was purple and orange.
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RK says:
Zenlaw that just goes to show how much they “care” about the fans. Especially the long time fans that are still willing to do what the team asks. Unfreakinbelievable.
I’m glad I gave up buying season tickets to any sports team years ago. They don’t just want to rape you they also want to take your savings and then rape your family too.
If anyone in this country had any guts they’d boycott every sports franchise except the minor leagues.
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Harvlis says:
Woody kept the team in the swamps of Jersey – I will always hate him. He is a businessman, end of story. The fans mean nothing to him, unless it costs him money. There is no loyalty.
Zen, that story should be in all the daily newspapers.
Vinny, the fans should boycott all the products sold at the stadium, in an effort to bring the prices down. This society is a complacent group of losers. I bring my own food, all the time. If I had the time and the energy, I would try to make a boycott happen. Lacking both, I have my own boycott going.
The second that the season tickets have been sold and the PSL’s have been collected, the high price contracts will disappear and cost cutting will go into effect in all areas. Business, just business.
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subwayfare says:
Zen that story is a big bummer. Bad on the Jets for that.
I would add that Woody lost millions trying to move the team to NY. Sheldon Silver and the Dolan family kept the team in the swamps of Jersey.
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scapp says:
a couple years ago, i was at one of the Jets tents getting the Sack Exchange’s autographs. Woody and a bodyguard/assistant walked up, said something quick to Marty Lyons and whisked off into the crowd… He’s shorter than i expected…
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nyckage says:
ok woody might have be a bad owner but atleast he isnt
AL DAVIS (thank god) -
gsteigs says:
woody is 10 times better than hess same goes for 2/3 of the league. hes loaded and spending money trying to build a winner and i think next yr will b our yr
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C$ says:
I met woody in the parking lot and shook his hand maybe 4 years ago. Must have been arounfd 4 years because I remember having an Abraham jersey on. He said hello and went on his way.
As an aside, I once gave Bob Kraft the finger. The Patriots blew us out late in the season (the year we lost to pitt in the playoffs with the missed fg’s). My seats are in the lower level mid field. I was walking up the stairs towards the corridor and you could see Bob Kraft with some freinds in a luxury box in the mezzanine right above us. Some meathead Pats fan in front of me got his attention and Bob kraft started smiling at him. So I gave Bob a nice enthusuastic finger. He stopped smiling , sighed anrgrily and looked away.
Finally, yes maybe a FEW moron fans cheered chad getting hurt but it was not like a signifigant portion of the crowd was cheering.
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Ira says:
The way that this team treats its fans is the reason my kids will not be jets fans
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The Ed(itor) says:
I am looking into Direct TV as the JETS will not sell all their PSLs as JETS fans are not stupid. And unless the fans buy individual game tickets, the JETS games will not be on free TV.
thank you woody for spending the bread this season…..