By: Joe Shlabotnik

The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to play one game a year, for four years, in London. Team owner Shad Khan and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell formally announced on Tuesday that beginning in 2013, one of the Jaguars home games will be played at London’s Wembley Stadium. Khan and Goodell agreed this is a great step to expand the NFL beyond the United States.

Related: Cedric Benson debuts as Green Bay Packer

Khan emailed Jacksonville Jaguars season ticket holders and claimed, “My ambition is to make the Jaguars one of the signature franchises in the NFL and to see Jacksonville realize its full potential as a destination for commerce, tourism and living.”

The opportunity of playing in London presented itself to the Jaguars when the St. Louis Rams backed out on their deal to play in London in 2013 and 2014. St. Louis claimed they have other obligations that the organization needed to focus on, including the team’s stadium lease negotiations.

Ever since the home game television blackouts of 2009 under former owner Wayne Weaver, the Jaguars have struggled to fill their stadium and sell tickets. Khan views playing in London as a creative way to entice Jacksonville fans, lower season ticket prices and sees it as a special opportunity for Jacksonville as the NFL looks to expand internationally.

Powered By DT Author Box

Written by Jessica K.

Growing up in a household where football consumed much of our family’s time, my passion for the sport grew quickly and immensely. My father was a Division 1 college offensive coordinator for many years.

Being nearly absorbed by the sport, football displayed what hard work and competition was. It inspired me to become involved with many different sports at a very early age and aided in the development of my dream of becoming a sideline reporter for the NFL.

I completed an internship at News Channel 3 in Kalamazoo, Michigan assisting the Sports Director, worked as a color commentator for Cornerstone University women’s basketball and was a High School Sports Reporter for MLive Media Group.

I played softball at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and finished my softball career at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. Despite living in Michigan nearly my entire life, I am a fan of the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints. I love to run, watch sports, spend time with my friends and family, BUT I live for NFL Sundays.