Shahid Khan’s proposal to buy Wembley presents a curveball rather than a spanner in the works for Daniel Levy and the club.
The NFL’s investment in the new ground means they are unlikely to renege on a partnership deal with us despite the potential of the first permanent American Football team in the country now possibly being the Jacksonville Jaguars at the national stadium.
The chairman has certainly invested a lot of time and effort in cultivating the market across the Atlantic. The growing interest in “soccer” in the States and NFL’s desire to expand beyond North America made a deal to create a joint purpose facility a sensible business decision, if not a particularly good deal for fans of the club, who will see ticket prices soaring.
Khan’s surprise intervention will likely dampen enthusiasm for a second American Football team to be based in the UK if he gets his way and the FA agree to sell up.
With that being the case, the construction of a joint purpose stadium could prove to be a folly. Having purpose-built “locker rooms” for the NFL and a retractable synthetic surface being used at most twice a year would not look good for Levy.
For sure, you could always refurbish the changing rooms to become something else, but the design for the pitch would be forever a reminder of the massive waste of investment if indeed the Jaguars do set up home under the arch.
Nothing is certain yet though. The FA could yet reject Khan’s bid, and the club’s plans could go forward unchanged. Even if it did happen though, interest in American Football in the UK could allow for a second permanent team eventually.
At this point, all we know for certain is that the American sport is very much a major part of the stadium’s short to mid-term future. Not only do we have the 10-year partnership deal, but also the naming rights.
The club are hoping to attract a big American name due to the links with the NFL, and if we do secure a multi-year deal then Levy would see the whole enterprise as being very much worth it. As for the rest of us…