LONDON (CelebrityAccess) Shad Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, has made a bid to buy Wembley Stadium in London, with the NFL’s backing.
The Football Association of England said in a statement: “We can confirm that the FA has received an offer to buy Wembley Stadium,” according to ESPN.
The NFL added that it was “very happy for Shad Khan and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Khan also owns the Fulham Football Club, one of the oldest soccer teams in England, which plays out of the 25,700-capacity Craven Cottage in Fulham, London.
“The potential purchase of Wembley Stadium is a further powerful sign of their commitment to the UK and their vision to help us grow the sport.
“Having stadium options in London has always been critical to the NFL and, in tandem with our 10-year partnership with Tottenham Hotspur, this new relationship would allow for even greater flexibility in scheduling future NFL games in London.”
The London Evening Standard said the £500 million bid was made this morning, put in front of the full FA board with an outline agreement already drawn out between Khan and FA chief Martin Glenn.
Khan provided a lengthy statement on Fulham’s website, reassuring fans that none of this affects his soccer team.
“The games the Jaguars play at Wembley are essential to the financial stability of the Jaguars in Jacksonville, which is one of the smallest markets in the NFL. If my ownership interests were to include Wembley Stadium, it would protect the Jaguars’ position in London at a time when other NFL teams are understandably becoming more interested in this great city. And the stronger the Jaguars are in London, the more stable and promising the Jaguars’ future will be in Jacksonville.
“As important, Wembley Stadium would return to private ownership and The Football Association would be able to focus on its core mission of developing players with the best player developers and facilities anywhere in the game, thanks in part to the vast financial benefit that would result from the transaction. I trust many if not most of you are also supporters of the England national teams, so I hope you welcome the potential of this becoming a reality. Always know Wembley would be home to the England national teams, and that we would strive every day of the year to be the best possible steward for a venue that is iconic and beloved here and throughout the world.
“No matter what the outcome of our offer may be, I want to emphatically state to you that none of this will have any effect on my commitment to your Club.”
