The Jaguars and Web.com are "teaming up for a Shark Tank-like competition in which entrepreneurs can win an NFL sponsorship package and a digital makeover," according to Timothy Gibbons of the JACKSONVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL. The competition began yesterday, with applications "accepted until July 31." The winner "will be chosen by a panel" comprised of Jaguars Owner Shahid Khan, President Mark Lamping and Web.com Chair, CEO & President David Brown. The prize package is "being valued at $250,000." It will include "having a Jaguars player or coach appear in commercials and at businesses, being featured on the scoreboards at EverBank Field and game day hospitality packages." From Web.com, winners will "receive a custom website, digital strategy sessions and a dedicated account manager." The sponsorship and digital makeover will be "in place by the start of the football season" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/13). In Jacksonville, Drew Dixon notes the contest is "aimed at providing a small business in North Florida or South Georgia with marketing help and a social media makeover." Khan: "As someone who was once a small business owner, I understand the challenges but also know there are opportunities. This is an opportunity. The American dream is still achievable." Jaguars Senior VP/Communications Dan Edwards said that the competition was "inspired by the Jaguars Black program instituted this year." Jaguars Black is a business program "designed to reach out to about 50 smaller and up to 150 midsize companies as the Jaguars find ways to maximize the value of their tickets." Meanwhile, team officials said that they are hoping for the contest experience to "be similar to a reality show." The portion in which the judges evaluate the pitches, dubbed "The Cage," will be recorded and "edited down to a 22-minute program that Jaguars officials plan to pitch" to a TV station (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 7/14).
