The possibility of an NFL franchise making a full-time jump across the pond increased today when Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan made an offer to buy Wembley Stadium.
At this point, the English Football Association is considering Khan’s offer for the national soccer stadium, believed to be in the range of about $840 million. If they choose to accept it, Wembley would continue to host England’s national team games.
The Jaguars have been playing at Wembley since 2013 and have a deal to continue playing games in London through 2020. Also, Khan already owns London soccer club Fulham.
In a statement on Jacksonville’s website, Khan downplayed the possibility of moving the team if a deal goes through and said the Wembley purchase would actually be a boon to the Jaguars.
“For the Jaguars, it would deliver another – and very significant – asset and local revenue source that would further strengthen our investment in London, which as everyone knows is crucial to the Jaguars’ continued sustainability in Jacksonville,” Khan wrote. “In every respect, the Jaguars’ standing in London would be improved and dramatically enhanced if we are fortunate to be approved as the new owner and steward of Wembley Stadium, and that’s good news for the Jaguars and all of Jacksonville.”
It will be interesting to see if that tune changes if the sale is approved.
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