Tag: shad khan

Khan: Lawrence, Allen deals shows Jaguars commitment to winning

Khan: Lawrence, Allen deals shows Jaguars commitment to winning

Jaguars owner Shad Khan called quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s five-year, $275 million contract extension with the club an example of Jacksonville’s commitment “to winning now and for many seasons to come,” he said in a statement released Friday.

Lawrence and the Jaguars reached an agreement on the mega-deal Thursday and announced the contract on Friday, shortly before Khan issued his comment.

“I am delighted that we’ve agreed to terms on a contract extension for Trevor Lawrence,” Khan wrote. “Trevor and Trent Baalke both deserve immense credit for their determination over the offseason to reach a deal that will provide long-term benefits to our football team, the Jacksonville community and our fans everywhere.

“To get it done comfortably and amicably ahead of training camp, as with the long-term agreement we reached in April with Josh Allen, is a further statement that the Jacksonville Jaguars are committed to winning now and for many seasons to come.”

The Jaguars inked starting edge rusher Josh Allen to a five-year contract extension worth up to $150 million in April. The deal was the biggest in franchise history for just over two months.

With Lawrence and Allen teamed up under head coach Doug Pederson the last two years, Jacksonville unlocked consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2004-05, going 9-8 each campaign and reaching the AFC Divisional Round of the 2022-23 playoffs.

In that stretch, Lawrence completed 65.9% of his passes for 8,129 yards with 46 touchdowns and 22 interceptions, adding nine rushing touchdowns; Allen tallied 123 tackles including 28 for loss, 24.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries including a scoop-and-score, one interception and three defended passes.

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Jaguars, Jacksonville to announce stadium renovation deal Tuesday

Jaguars, Jacksonville to announce stadium renovation deal Tuesday

Jacksonville City Council president Ron Salem announced Wednesday that the Jaguars and Mayor Donna Deegan have reached an agreement on a deal for renovations to EverBank Stadium.

In a statement, Deegan confirmed that the contract’s framework is in place with the fine print still being written by the city’s negotiating team. The deal is expected to be unveiled at the next City Council meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, May 14.

“The mayor reached out to me late yesterday afternoon to inform me that the executive branch and the Jaguars have reached an agreement on the stadium renovation,” Salem said on Wednesday, per the Florida Times-Union. “I do not know the specifics of this particular deal but look forward to engaging the council during the month of June as we move forward to review it.”

“We have reached an agreement on the framework of a deal,” Deegan added. “The negotiating team is currently putting the final details on paper, and we will release that information as soon as it is available.”

News 4 Jax reported Tuesday that a deal was “imminent.”

The renovation proposal, including shading for every seat; expanded concourses, extra escalators and elevators, and upgraded HVAC, plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems, has previously been projected to cost $1.4 billion, reportedly split unevenly between the Jaguars and the city of Jacksonville.

The Jaguars have also pitched a sports and entertainment district around the Jacksonville Shipyards to accompany renovations, a bill team owner Shad Khan reportedly would primarily handle to even out the total costs of the projects. Construction has begun on a Four Seasons Hotel and Residences on the land.

Independently, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced an additional $75 million in state funding for a University of Florida graduate campus in Jacksonville on Wednesday. While the location is not yet determined, the Jaguars are reportedly willing to pair the campus with the district.

According to the Times-Union, discussions have involved potential locations for the Jaguars to play home games during either the 2026-27 seasons or the 2027 season alone while renovations are conducted. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville and Camping World Stadium in Orlando are among the venues that have been considered.

Report: Preliminary deal for Jaguars stadium renovations ‘imminent’

Report: Preliminary deal for Jaguars stadium renovations ‘imminent’

A preliminary deal between the Jaguars and the city of Jacksonville regarding renovations to EverBank Stadium is “imminent,” according to Jim Piggott of News 4 Jax.

Piggott’s reporting suggested a deal could be reached and revealed by next week, with the next Jacksonville City Council meeting scheduled for May 14.

“Residents should have some answers to exactly where this is going, what it could cost and who’s paying for what,” Piggott wrote, referencing the upcoming assembly and noting the deal would focus only on the stadium and not developing the surrounding area.

A proposed “Stadium of the Future” has been projected to cost $1.4 billion, with the city handling the majority of the bill. It would include shading for every seat; expanded concourses; extra escalators and elevators; upgraded HVAC; plumbing; mechanical and electrical systems; and other renovations,

Additionally, the team and city have explored a sports and entertainment district in the stadium’s surrounding area, with owner Shad Khan expected to handle most of those expenses, reportedly estimated between $550 million and $668 million.

“What we’ve discussed with the city and what’s contained in this memorandum of understanding is we get to 50-50, but more of [the city of Jacksonville’s] 50% is going to have to go into the stadium because that’s what the league’s going to look at and more of Shad’s 50 is going to have to go into the development around the stadium,” Jaguars president Mark Lamping said in June 2023.

Construction has begun on a Four Seasons Hotel and Residences, pitched by Khan, in the Jacksonville shipyards in front of Jaguars headquarters. The resort’s anticipated opening is in 2026.

HOK, which designed Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., has been selected as the architectural partner for the stadium project.

The Jaguars’ lease with EverBank Stadium is scheduled to expire after the 2029 season. An extension would require approval from 75% of the league’s owners. Renovations would also need to be approved by team owners.

Doug Pederson: ‘We’ll probably each year play 2 games’ in London

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson doesn’t think 2023 will be the last time his team makes a two-weekend trip to London.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ extended trip to London was a success for the team. They arrived in the United Kingdom with a 1-2 record following a pair of losses, but return to the United States at 3-2 after back-to-back wins overseas.

No NFL team had played multiple games out of the country in the same season before, let alone in consecutive weeks. But Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson doesn’t think it’ll be the last time it happens for his squad.

“I think it’s relatively safe to say that we’ll probably each year play two games over here,” Pederson said Sunday after a 25-20 win against the Buffalo Bills. “I don’t know that. I don’t have a crystal ball. I hope the rest of the league plays two games over here at some point.

“But again, it was good for us, and it was good to get out of Jacksonville at that time. We needed to, I think, bond a little bit as a football team, and we’ve done that.”

The Jaguars have played an annual home game in London since 2013 (with the exception of 2020 when international games were cancelled due to COVID). Their contract to play a game every year at Wembley Stadium ends in 2024, but Jaguars owner Shad Khan isn’t ready for the partnership to end.

“Hopefully we’ll get this thing renewed,” Khan said last week, via Jaguars.com. “It’s been great for the city of Jacksonville. It’s great for the players. It’s been great for us.”

If the Jaguars continue to cede home games to the United Kingdom, it only makes sense for the team to do more two-weekend ventures to London by adding road game to the annual trips.

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Shad Khan wants more back-to-back London games if 2023 works well

Shad Khan hopes the Jaguars have more back-to-back London trips in the future, so long as 2023 works out well.

The Jacksonville Jaguars won at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, beating the Atlanta Falcons in a “home” game, 23-7. Now comes the uncharted territory.

Instead of flying back to the United States like the Falcons, the Jaguars will be the first team ever to stay overseas for another international game. Up next is a Week 5 “road” game against the Buffalo Bills at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Jaguars will need to change hotels, but the hope for the team is that the pair of games makes for an easier trip as opposed to a weekend roundtrip across the Atlantic. And if it works out well, team owner Shad Khan likes the idea of making it an annual two-game trip.

“What’s great is that some of our fans couldn’t make it this week, they can come from Duval next week,” Khan told Brent Martineau of Action Sports Jax on Sunday. “Also, the fans we have in London, U.K., and Europe, it’s another way for us to connect with them and really develop the Jaguars, Jacksonville brand here in the U.K.

“I think we want to see how it goes, what are some of the learnings from it, and I think if it works, we’d like for it to continue in the future.”

The Jaguars have played a home game in London every season since 2013, with the exception of 2020 when all international games were cancelled due to COVID. The team has six games at EverBank Stadium left on the 2023 schedule.

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Jaguars VP Tony Khan denies report of interest in Bellator MMA

Tony Khan says there’s no truth to a report that he and his dad are interested in purchasing Bellator MMA.

Jacksonville Jaguars executive vice president Tony Khan vehemently denied a report that he and his father, Jaguars owner Shad Khan, are a party interested in purchasing Bellator MMA.

“I was surprised to see that report,” Tony Khan said, in part, via mixed martial arts reporter Jed I. Goodman. “I haven’t had any conversations with them about that, so I don’t know what that was about. My father hasn’t had any conversations with them either. I’m not even sure who you talked to. I don’t even know, honestly, who owns the promotion. Is Scott Coker the owner? Or the president? I’m not sure.”

On Wednesday, MMA reporter Ariel Helwani said on his show, The MMA Hour, that the Khan family were among the interested parties in Bellator.

“I can also tell you that the Khan family has looked into [Bellator],” Helwani reported on the show. “To what degree is unclear.”

Bellator MMA is a promotion that has existed since 2008 and is currently owned by Paramount Global. It is reportedly in talks to be sold with Professional Fighters League (PFL) among the favorites to acquire the organization.

In addition to the Jaguars, the Khans own Fulham Football Club of the English Premier League and All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Tony Khan serves as the president of AEW and has multiple executive titles with Fulham F.C.

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Jaguars granted international marketing rights in Ireland

The Jaguars plan to win over some fans in Ireland.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have spent a decade growing their brand in the United Kingdom and will now expand those efforts to include Ireland.

On Tuesday, the NFL announced an expansion of its Global Markets Program (previously known as International Home Marketing Areas) to 21 teams sharing rights in 14 markets.

The Jaguars will share rights in Ireland with the Pittsburgh Steelers, as both teams are now allowed to build their brand in the country.

“Since we arrived in London in 2013, we have made great strides in growing the Jaguars fan community outside of the United States with a committed and loyal supporter base already established across the country,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement. “Our Foundation reaches tens of thousands of young people each year through the delivery of community programs like JagTag and is committed to providing sustainable solutions to tackle inequality and to support the development of young people.

“I am delighted to be able to announce that we are expanding our marketing rights into the Republic of Ireland, which not only underpins our long-term commitment to the UK but presents us with the opportunity to amplify our trajectory of growth internationally. The Republic is famous for its love of American Football, therefore appealing to new Jaguars fans through meaningful fan engagement and bespoke initiatives that will contribute to communities in the Republic, will truly reflect the Jaguars position as an international NFL team.”

In 1997, a preseason game between the Steelers and Chicago Bears was held at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, but the league hasn’t been back and has never placed a regular season game there.

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Watch: Jaguars call Anton Harrison to tell him he’s the No. 27 pick

Doug Pederson, Trent Baalke, and Shad Khan were all excited to talk to their new draft pick when they made the call Thursday.

There were only a handful of draft picks left to be made Thursday night when Anton Harrison’s phone rang. On the other end were the Jacksonville Jaguars, ready to pick the offensive tackle with the No. 27 pick after trading down twice.

Harrison first spoke to director of player assessment Ryan Stamper who then handed the phone off to head coach Doug Pederson, general manager Trent Baalke, and team owner Shad Khan.

Harrison is the fourth offensive tackle ever drafted in the first round by the Jaguars, joining Tony Boselli, Eugene Monroe, and Luke Joeckel, who were all top 10 picks. All three tackles who started for the Jaguars in 2022 — Cam Robinson, Jawaan Taylor, and Walker Little — were second round selections.

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Forbes: Jaguars owner Shad Khan got 60 percent richer in last year

Shad Khan saw his net worth increase by more than $4 billion in the last year, according to Forbes.

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan saw his net worth climb from $7.6 billion to $12.1 billion in the last year, according to Forbes’ annual list of the richest people in the world.

The 59.2 percent increase made Khan No. 144 on the list and makes him the fifth richest NFL owner behind the Denver Broncos’ Rob Walton, the Carolina Panthers’ David Tepper, the Dallas Cowboys’ Jerry Jones, and the Los Angeles Rams’ Stan Kroenke.

Khan, 72, purchased the Jaguars in 2011 for $770 million. The team is now valued at more than $3.4 billion by Forbes.

Also increasing in value is Fulham Football Club, which was purchased by Khan in 2013. The club was promoted to the English Premier League last year and is currently in 10th place.

Additionally, Khan and his son, Tony Khan, founded All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2019.

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Shad Khan: Losing players in free agency is a ‘measure of success’

The Jaguars lost Jawaan Taylor and Arden Key in free agency, but owner Shad Khan is looking on the bright side.

It’s been more than a decade since the Jacksonville Jaguars received a compensatory draft pick, but that’s finally set to change after the team lost Jawaan Taylor and Arden Key in free agency.

The Jaguars now face the challenge of shoring up their offensive line depth and bolstering their pass rush, but owner Shad Khan is looking on the bright side. Losing free agents rather than adding them is a change of pace that he says is a sign that the franchise is in a much different place.

“You know, I hated to see [Taylor] leave, but that’s really a measure of success that you can’t hang on to all your players,” Khan told John Oehser of Jaguars.com during an interview at the NFL owners meetings this week. “Obviously, the skill, the trick is to replace them, hopefully, with better players. We’ve got the draft, primarily, to develop players for the future and a system that is sustainable.”

A year ago, the Jaguars spent a record-breaking amount of money to acquire several players in free agency, including Christian Kirk, Foye Oluokun, Brandon Scherff, and Evan Engram.

This year, the team has mostly tried to keep its own players, re-signing C.J. Beathard, JaMycal Hasty, Andrew Wingard, Adam Gotsis, and Tre Herndon. The only outside players added were a trio of cheap additions: D’Ernest Johnson, Michael Dogbe, and Henry Mondeaux.

Khan is correct that it’s usually the NFL’s more successful teams that lose talented players in free agency. Now it’s up to the Jaguars to continue to add talent by drafting well.

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