Hosting another game in London means a full 25% of Jaguars home games will be played overseasGETTY IMAGES
Jaguars Owner Shad Khan, by having the team play two home games in London next season, is "pushing the envelope to the point where he's now willing to risk alienating the team's fan base," according to Gene Frenette of the FLORIDA TIMES-UNION. The decision means that 25% of Jaguars' regular-season home games are now played "across the Atlantic." After the latest announcement, Khan got "plenty of blowback on social media and elsewhere." Khan said based on fan responses when the Jaguars first moved a game to London in '13, his "expectation is that it should be very positive." Frenette writes fan responses instead were "anything but that, and understandably so." Either Khan "didn't anticipate such a swift and angry reaction or he was unconcerned because generating more revenue" appears to be "at least as big a priority as winning." This decision "clearly sends a bit of a mixed message," as it "screams out to fans that making money is paramount, or is at least on par with winning as the top priority" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 2/5). ESPN.com's Michael DiRocco wrote Khan thinking that fans would react positively to the news was a "tone-deaf response because fans, at least those sounding off on social media, are pretty angry -- and Khan and the team should have expected that" (ESPN.com, 2/4). NFL Network's Kay Adams acknowledges that "not every fan is excited" about losing two home games, but there "seems to be a long-term plan in place" in Jacksonville ("Good Morning Football," NFL Network, 2/5).
MONEY MOVE: The AP's Mark Long noted the Jaguars "more than double their single-game revenue from playing overseas." The team's ticket, TV, sponsorship and stadium revenue streams are "smaller than those of NFL teams in larger markets." Earning more by playing in London "helps offset some of the disparity, and the game remains a critical part of the team's long-term plan" (AP, 2/4). In Jacksonville, John Reid in a front-page piece notes the Jaguars soon will have the "means to create additional revenue from the Lot J development deal next to TIAA Bank Field that would include an entertainment district containing restaurants and bars, a residential building, a boutique hotel and an office tower." Jaguars President Mark Lamping in January said that negotiations between the team and the city on the development were "'very close' to finalizing a deal that could go to the City Council" for approval. Lamping also said that the Jaguars "hope to have a completed development agreement within the next 30 to 60 days" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 2/5).
INTERNATIONAL TESTING: NFL Network's Scott Hanson said this could be a sign of the NFL "sticking their toe in the water" about relocating a team to London despite Commissioner Roger Goodell's insistence last week that nothing was close ("NFL Total Access," NFL Network, 2/4). In London, Charles Walford writes the move will "intensify debate about a possible" NFL franchise in the U.K. The chance to "watch their team back-to-back will be something of a stress test of the Jaguars' UK fanbase." If both games "sell out -- and especially if there is large uptake of repeat fans not including the four-game season-ticket holders -- it would give an indication of the appetite for the UK's adopted team, as opposed to the desire to see games in general." What is "not in doubt" is the Jaguars' "desire to see just how far they can capitalise on the British market that offers an extra income by widening the catchment area for their 'local market' revenue" (LONDON TIMES, 2/5). NBC's Peter King said this just gives the Jaguars "more of a reason to have a foothold permanently in London" ("PFT," NBCSN, 2/5).
