Jacksonville Jaguars’ London Games Create Distance With Fans

There was a lot of upbeat talk from the Jacksonville Jaguars when the team announced on Tuesday that it would play two of its home games in London next season.

“Our London strategy has been a game-changer,” said Mark Lamping, the president of the team.

“There is no better time than now to capitalize on the opportunity to play two home games in London,” said the owner, Shad Khan.

But there was less positive talk about the move from another group: fans in Jacksonville, Fla.

“We vehemently oppose this decision,” the fan group Bold City Brigade wrote in a statement posted to its website Wednesday. The supporters also opposed the games with a petition, which had collected over 2,600 signatures as of Thursday afternoon.

The Jaguars have played a home game in London for seven straight seasons, accruing a 3-4 record there. Next season, they will become the first N.F.L. team to play two home games outside of the United States, playing those games in back-to-back weeks. Their opponents have yet to be confirmed.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/sports/football/jacksonville-jaguars-london-wembley.html?emc=rss&partner=rss