Jacksonville Jaguars owner says London is permanent part of team's identity

Jacksonville, Florida - Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan says he wants the UK to always form a part of the team’s identity and vowed that their London attachment is "just getting started."

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan said the team is committed to making London its "home away from home."
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan said the team is committed to making London its "home away from home."  © SAM GREENWOOD / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

A decade on from becoming the first – and so far only – NFL team to make a multi-year commitment to play regular season games across the Atlantic, the Jags are preparing for their ninth clash in the UK capital.

Doug Pederson’s men host the Denver Broncos on Sunday at Wembley – a venue Khan considers their "home away from home" and which he previously tried to purchase from the Football Association.

The Jags owner says their first game under the arch since 2019 is "going to be special" for a team that earlier this year committed to playing at Wembley each season through to 2024.

"Our goal is for London and the UK to always be a part of the Jacksonville Jaguars identity," Khan told the PA news agency. "This is nothing new."

"We never intended London to be an experiment. We were committed to London as our home away from home from the moment we made a four-year commitment that started in 2013."

"We’ve renewed twice and now we’re back at Wembley, which also plays a major part in our international profile."

"Which teams appear in London is ultimately up to the league, but we’ve been clear in our commitment to play a home game in London every year."

"For all the progress we’ve made developing our brand and fan base, it’s only been 10 years. We’re just getting started."

Jaguars owner says London shows huge support for the team

The Jacksonville Jaguars will host the Denver Broncos on Sunday at London's Wembley Stadium.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will host the Denver Broncos on Sunday at London's Wembley Stadium.  © Rob Carr / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Khan owns Premier League team Fulham F.C. as well as the Jags and has always been impressed, but not surprised, by the local support.

Such backing, he says, will this weekend translate into league records for attendance and gross ticket revenues for an NFL game in the capital after the team assumed operational responsibility.

"London has always been exceptionally supportive of the Jaguars," Khan said. "It’s just really coming to life at a whole new level this year back at Wembley."

The idea of an NFL team being totally based in London has receded in recent years, but if any franchise was to move permanently, the Jaguars would be the most likely.

"We’re London’s (NFL) team, but not just because we say we are. It’s because of the commitment by a lot of people, including our fans in the UK and throughout Europe, to make it so," Khan added.

Cover photo: Collage: SAM GREENWOOD / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP & Rob Carr / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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