US tycoon bids $1.4bn for Wembley Stadium
Posted by Tom McGowan | 26 April 2018 | 2,302 times
•The iconic Wembley Stadium
It’s the home of English football and one of the most iconic venues in world sport — and it could be about to get a new American owner.
The English Football Association confirmed Thursday it has received an offer to buy Wembley Stadium, while Shahid Khan, the owner of the NFL franchise Jacksonville Jaguars, revealed he was behind the reported $1.4 billion bid.
The NFL has hosted games at Wembley, located in north London, since 2007 with three further games set to take place in October.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have already played five games at Wembley over the last six years, most recently in October 2017.
“I am very pleased to learn today that The Football Association board of directors received our offer to purchase Wembley Stadium, our home away from home in London, from the FA,” said Khan in a statement.
“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 stressed his belief that it would allow the FA to reinvest the money generated from the sale into grassroots soccer, while strengthening the Jaguars position at home and abroad.
“If you’ve had the occasion to join us for one of our Jaguars home games in London, you know that Wembley Stadium is a very special place,” added Khan.
"Our commitment to the FA is we will own and operate Wembley with the care and respect it deserves, always being mindful that it is – and will continue to be – the home of England’s national teams as well as the ultimate destination for the world’s top entertainment and sports event, including Jaguars and NFL games.” (CNN)
Source: News Express
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