The Jacksonville Jaguars announced Tuesday that they would play two home games in London next season. As owner Shad Khan continues to make greater efforts to expand the team overseas, Jaguars fans are now fighting back with a petition to keep their home games in Jacksonville.
In an effort to unite the Jacksonville community and Jaguars fans, the “Duval Coalition” was created to give fans and local businesses a platform to make their voices heard. In its efforts, the coalition aims to ensure that the community and fan base are firmly supported and their voice is heard.
More than 2,600 fans and over 100 local businesses have already signed the petition on duvalcoalition.com. Together they are sending a collective message to Shad Khan that they are opposed to home games being taken away from the city.
The Jaguars started playing one home game in London each year since 2013. Ownership is now going to become the first NFL team to play two games in London in the same season.
Khan certainly recognizes that Jacksonville ranked 22nd in average attendance this past season and finished 25th in percentage of tickets sold (93%). Meanwhile, more than 80,000 fans attended each Jaguars’ game at Wembley Stadium since the team moved one home game to London.
While credit can go to these vocal fans and local businesses for coming together to make their voice heard, Khan seems likely to follow the smarter business decision and keep expanding the team’s reach overseas.