Khan's Jaguars have played games at Wembley the last five years and play the Eagles there on Oct. 28GETTY IMAGES
Jaguars Owner Shad Khan "confirmed a report" that he is "intending to buy iconic Wembley Stadium" for $700M, according to Ryan O'Halloran of the FLORIDA TIMES-UNION. Wembley is "currently owned by the Football Association, English football’s governing body, which would use the sale funds to further develop the sport in the U.K." The Jaguars have "played games at Wembley the last five years" and will play the Eagles there Oct. 28. Khan bought English soccer club Fulham in July '13. Last week in Jacksonville, he rolled out a $2.5B proposal to "develop Lot J and more area" around the Jaguars’ TIAA Bank Field. Khan said, "Today’s announcement is additional evidence that we are committed to create and enhance new revenue streams to boost the Jaguars." On Twitter, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry wrote Khan and the Jaguars “previously shared their interest in Wembley" with him. Curry added, “This is good for the team, Jacksonville fans, our city and downtown. The financial future of our team is getting stronger" (JACKSONVILLE.com, 4/26). The Independent's Ed Malyon tweeted, "Offer is too good to turn down. It's also a huge risk for Khan. Key: this is a power move to try and head off other NFL franchises interested in relocating to London." Sky Sports' Neil Reynolds: "Lots of chat about what it means for a London NFL franchise." Freelance soccer journalist Dan Levene: "Could be a massive game changer all-round" (TWITTER.com, 4/26).
LONG-TERM IMPLICATIONS: In London, Prynn & Olley note if the takeover "gets the go ahead more American football games are likely to be played at Wembley and it could even pave the way for an NFL franchise to be permanently based in London." A sale is also "likely to result in fewer" England national team matches being hosted at the 92,000-capacity north London venue, "particularly during the NFL season." However, it would "not threaten Wembley’s status as the England team’s home for all major fixtures." Khan is "thought to have been in secret talks" with FA CEO Martin Glenn and a "small circle of advisers for around six months." However, the idea "was first mooted" when Glenn and Khan met at Superbowl LI in Houston last February (STANDARD.co.uk, 4/26).
