Jaguars owner Khan makes £600m offer to buy Wembley
● Tycoon aims to strengthen NFL club’s presence in London but vows stadium will still host major football matches
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan has made an offer to buy Wembley Stadium from the English Football Association, increasing the prospect of an NFL franchise in London.
Wembley has staged regularseason NFL games since 2007 and the Jaguars started playing at the stadium in 2013 – the year Khan bought Fulham FC.
Khan, pictured, offered a sum in the region of £600 million for the stadium, which would continue to host England football matches. The governing body would retain the rights to hospitality packagesforgames,whichare valued at £300m.
Wembley, which first opened in 1923, was rebuilt at a cost of £800m before reopening in 2007. The Jaguars have a deal until 2020 to play games in London.
“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,” Khan said.
“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.”
Khansaidatakeoverofwembley would “have no impact on Craven Cottage”, which is Fulham’s current home.
Selling off Wembley would give the FA approximately £500m to invest in grassroots football,.
“For the FA,” Khan added, “it would mean Wembley Stadium returning to private ownership, permitting the FA to direct its full attention to its mandate to develop talent and serve the game with the vast resources it would realise from the sale.”
The FA has confirmed it has “received an offer” to buy the stadium, that will be put before the full FA board on Thursday. An outline agreement between Khan and FA chief executive Martin Glenn is said to already be in place. “I’ve enjoyed a rewarding relationship with The Football Association for years and my more recent exchanges and time spent with Martin Glenn have served to further strengthen a connection with the FA that made it natural and ultimately possible for both parties to consider this transaction,” said Khan.
“Should we be fortunate to close on the purchase, it’s important to stress that the spirit and essence of Wembley would be unchanged. Wembley is a special place, beloved in London and known throughout the world.
“I understand the responsibility and accountability that would be ours to accept, and at all times we will be guided so the stadium and Wembley brand are both protected and enhanced.
“Always know that Wembley will be home to England’s national teams and, under our stewardship, continue to be a destination for top global football matches and championships, as well as major events such as NFL football games and concerts.
“We will take excellent care of Wembley Stadium in every respect, and at all times be good citizens and neighbours in London and beyond.
“I am grateful for all of my experiences and investments in London, and am privileged to have this opportunity with the FA to forge an agreement that I am certain will be a victory for everyone.”
Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic said that “very ambitious” Khan had told him about this “plan a year and a half ago”.
The Championship promotion hopefuls host relegated Sunderland tonight, ahead of which the chairman wrote an open letter to Fulham fans to allay any concerns over his commitment.“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,” Khan said. “This venture is 100 per cent independent of my investment in and operation of Fulham Football Club, Motspur Park and Craven Cottage.
“No less attention will be paid to developing players and fielding a squad that will win with frequency and always make you proud. It will have no impact on Craven Cottage as the home of FFC.”
The Jaguars take on Super Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles at Wembley on 28 October.
0 Josh Taylor: Perfect test. in July 2016. The Eastern European is also a former world belt holder himself.
“This is definitely my toughest opponent to date and Viktor Postol should be the perfect test for me at this stage of my career,” Taylor said.
“He has taken on and beaten some of the best fighters in the world and I know he will be coming here with the hope of spoiling the party.
“To know I’ll be in line for a world title shot if I get the win has really put the fire in my belly and you can expect to see the best Josh Taylor to date.”
Postol, meanwhile, said: “Taylor is a tough opponent and he had a good amateur career. He is a hard puncher as you can see from his pro record and he changes stances throughout his fights so I will need to be sharp.
“The win in this fight against Taylor will help me to approach my goal of becoming world champion once again.”