NFL’s Jaguars looking up private information to make sales calls

Action News Jax reporter Cole Heath received one of these sales calls Friday. The sales representative left Heath a voicemail:

“Hey Cole, Michael calling on behalf of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Just wanted to reach out to see if you would be interested in coming out to our five remaining home games.  We have a $99 three game mini-pack still available. So if you are interested give me a call.”

Heath returned the salesman’s call and asked how they got his number. The salesman said it came from the Jacksonville Electric Authority.

>> Read more Floridoh! stories

A JEA spokesman said the utility provider does not give out customer information or have an agreement or partnership with the Jags to provide it.

Instead, the Jaguars file public records requests for JEA account holders' information, and the utility company makes it available, by law.

Gayle Hart is a JEA customer and said she’s not happy with the Jaguars sales techniques.

“We have to have utilities, and I think it’s an invasion that that information can be shared,” Hart said.

Jane Edwards also receives a monthly utility bill from JEA.

“I don’t think it’s right. I don’t think it’s necessary. I don’t think it should be done,” Edwards said.

A Jaguars spokesman confirms the team does pay public records request fees to get JEA’s and other companies' customers' information.

A team official adds the Jags will not call you again if you tell them not too. The team does not pay JEA directly for personal information.