FEBRUARY 3 TO FEBRUARY 9, 2022 | JAXDAILYRECORD.COM
BUSINESS & LEGAL NEWS IN BAKER, CLAY, DUVAL, NASSAU AND ST. JOHNS COUNTIES
‘END OF AN ERA’ FOR BLACK CREEK
Shad Khan’s sports empire valued at $4.8 billion The Jacksonville Jaguars owner’s holdings rank No. 12 in the world, according to Forbes. BY MARK BASCH CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Shad Khan became one of the richest people in the world on the strength of his auto parts company, Flex-N-Gate Corp. However, despite a lack of success on the field, Khan’s sports holdings are valuable enough to rank as one of the largest in the world, according to Forbes magazine. Khan’s ownership interests in the Jacksonville Jaguars, English soccer team Fulham Khan FC and All Elite Wrestling are valued at $4.8 billion, making his the 12th-largest global sports empire, Forbes said in a story posted online Jan. 21. The magazine estimates Khan’s personal fortune at $8.1 billion. Khan bought the Jaguars from Wayne Weaver for a reported $760 million 10 years ago. The Jaguars rank 26th out of the 32 NFL teams in value, according to Forbes’ latest rankings in August. But the NFL is such a big moneymaking machine that the franchise has grown in estimated value to $2.8 billion, a huge return for
The owners of the outdoor recreational supply store talk about why the nearly 40-year journey is coming to an end.
SEE KHAN, PAGE 5
BY DAN MACDONALD STAFF WRITER
A
fter 39 years in two locations among two Northeast Florida counties, Black Creek Outfitters announced its imminent closing Jan. 30 on Facebook and in an email to customers. The email was titled: End of an Era. Even though the specialty outdoor retailer was profitable, the uncertainty of the supply chain along with a $3 million offer for their Jacksonville property convinced Joe Butler Sr. and Joe Butler Jr. it was time to sell and close. The blackcreekoutfitters.com site said the family received an offer for the property in September and unsuccessfully searched for a satisfactory new location.
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Photo by Dan Macdonald
The Facebook announcement and email traveled quickly through the customer base. The next day the family was preparing for the going-outof-business sale that begins at 10 a.m. Feb. 3. “We are de-merchandising the store,” said Joe Butler Jr. on Jan. 31. The store’s entire stock of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, car racks, SEE BLACK CREEK OUTFITTERS, PAGE 9
The Butler family has been selling outdoor gear at Black Creek Outfitters near Town Center for 25 years. Pictured are Joe Butler Jr., Liz Butler, Helen Butler and Joe Butler Sr. The store, at 10051 Skinner Lake Dr., was built before the nearby St. Johns Town Center.
INSIDE Trucking firm Landstar sees soaring revenue PAGE 4 REAL ESTATE
Spurriers sell St. Johns home The former head coach of the Florida Gators is once again focused on Gainesville after selling oceanfront property. PAGE 8
BUSINESS STRATEGY A ‘vision to grow much bigger’ for Liberty owner
THE MATHIS REPORT
Liberty Landscape Supply owner Mike Zaffaroni says the two biggest challenges most entrepreneurs face are people and financial management. PAGE 16
The Church of Eleven22 is preparing to develop a sanctuary and more in Longleaf in St. Johns County. PAGE 10
Church growth plans advancing
VOLUME 109, NO. 37 | TWO SECTIONS | PUBLISHED SINCE 1912