Shad Khan bids on Wembley Stadium; Jacksonville officials not worried

Jaguars owner Shad Khan.

In a statement Thursday, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan confirmed that he bid on London’s Wembley Stadium.

If his $500 million offer is approved, that puts the stadium back in private hands, Khan said.

And it would offer another revenue source for the perpetually challenged Jaguars, a play local officials back.

“One of the many benefits of the Jaguars’ commitment to London has been our partnership with the FA and Wembley Stadium. Over the past several years, it became clearer to us and the FA that the idea of our purchase of Wembley Stadium made a lot of sense for all of us,” Khan asserted.

“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.  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,” Khan added.

The owner presented the potential stadium buy as another one of many “revenue streams to boost the Jaguars, such as the incredibly successful Daily’s Place and the project we revealed last week with The Cordish Companies on the proposed development around EverBank Field.”

“Today’s news changes none of what we envision for the long-term promise for the Jaguars here in Jax, and it changes nothing as to the goals we have for your downtown. If anything, today’s news is the embodiment of the ethos we adopted several years ago of being proud, bold and committed,” Khan asserted.

Jacksonville officials aren’t worried that Khan’s move signals a lack of commitment to the city.

Mayor Lenny Curry, in Dallas for the NFL Draft, had the following statement: “Shad and Mark did share with us their interest in Wembley. This is consistent with their business strategy and reinforces what they presented last week [at the State of the Franchise]- focus on revenue, growth, and increased profitability of the London game. We are incredibly excited about this announcement which brings international branding and financial stability, which are good for Jacksonville.”

Council VP Aaron Bowman noted that Khan’s commitment to the city is proven, via his investment in the city.

“Khan’s not afraid of leading the pack,” Bowman said.

Former Council VP Greg Anderson sang from the same hymnal, noting that Khan is “committed to Jacksonville” and has a “very significant interest” in the city, as well as investments.

Mayor Lenny Curry, in Dallas for the NFL Draft, had the following statement: “Shad and Mark did share with us their interest in Wembley. This is consistent with their business strategy and reinforces what they presented last week [at the State of the Franchise]- focus on revenue, growth, and increased profitability of the London game. We are incredibly excited about this announcement which brings international branding and financial stability, which are good for Jacksonville.”