There were a lot of talks about the Jacksonville Jaguars when the team announced that it would be playing a couple of its home games in London the upcoming season. According to the top team officials Jacksonville Jaguars London strategy has been a game-changer, and there is no other time that can utilize the two London home games in a better way.
How did the fans react?
Unfortunately, the fans in Jacksonville, FLA were not happy with the decision. Moreover, the supporters were seen opposing the games with a petition containing more than 2,600 signatures.
Another fan group states that the majority of local fans oppose the decision, thereby voicing their opinion on social media.
Some fans also fretted that this can be a step towards relocating the team from Jacksonville to London. However, this is unlikely to happen considering the sums the Jaguar team president has invested in the area in and around the stadium.
Jaguars and London
The Jaguars have played a home game in London for seven seasons straight, with a 3-4 record. Next season, the team will become the first-ever NFL team to play two home games outside the US; also, playing those games in consecutive weeks. Their opponents are not yet confirmed.
For the Jaguars, playing in London is primarily about money, but partly about increasing the fan base of the team as well. Games held in London brings twice the revenue of a Jacksonville home game, in spite of the fact that the team consistently sells 60,000 seats to all games in TIAA Bank Field.
But despite such solid sale of tickets, the Jaguars sit at the bottom of the NFL revenue charts due to a lack of corporate sponsorship.
Cut in prices
There is a positive side to the home game shift as well. Jacksonville season ticket holders will not have to pay for the London Games as a part of their season package. Besides, the team declared that the cost of games that will be played in Jacksonville would be plunged by five percent, with the prices of the preseason games being cut into half.
Wrapping it up
It is clear that Jacksonville Jaguars playing two home games in London is due to revenue shortfalls; however, many fans refused to believe it. Although fans are unhappy, it is sure that Jaguars will be playing two games in London, with opponents yet to be confirmed.
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