NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan will be in Jacksonville today to announce international games for the team beginning in 2013, according to Daily Record news partner Channel 4.
Goodell and Khan will host a 2 p.m. news conference at the University Club for the announcement.
The Jaguars will begin to play one of their home games next year for the next four years through 2016 and though London has been the site of the NFL’s previous transatlantic games, the Jaguars are exploring the possibility of playing in Germany, Spain and in other countries, according to Channel 4.
In a January interview with the Daily Record, Khan was specifically asked about pursuing games in European markets.
“Europe is such a logical jumping-off point for international fans,” Khan said in the interview. “The league is fairly progressive in this thought, and we have to keep in mind NFL Europe was not successful, but I think that’s a great place to start. Barcelona is a good one. Germany is another good one. There might be one in Ireland next year.”
It’s possible that the Jaguars could play two games overseas, with one of those games being considered a “road game,” each year starting in 2014, although details of the long-term plans have not been worked out, according to Channel 4.
The 2013-16 games will be considered Jaguars “home” games, meaning the team will play nine instead of 10 home games at EverBank Field beginning next year, which will reduce the price of a Jaguars season ticket, according to Channel 4. In turn, season ticket holders will be offered special packages to attend the Jaguars international games at season ticket holder prices.
The NFL began playing games at Wembley Stadium in London beginning in 2007 and has featured the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears.
Playing a home game away from EverBank Field will require a modification of the Jaguars’ stadium lease with the City of Jacksonville.
According to Channel 4, Mayor Alvin Brown’s office issued a statement about the news, saying:
“We are excited for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the NFL in their pursuit to expand the game globally. We support these efforts and look forward to working with the Jaguars to ensure success in this venture. This will also serve as a major building block to expose the city of Jacksonville as a destination on all global fronts. We intend to use the Jacksonville name, in conjunction with the Jaguars, to help expand our opportunities for business investment and create larger economic success for our great city.”
WJXT Channel 4 is a Daily Record news partner