The Jacksonville Jaguars haven't made the playoffs since 2007 and have been one of the NFL's worst teams in recent years.
Last season the team finished with a 5-11 record, during which they fired their longtime head coach Jack Del Rio.
But even without any recent success, there is a heap of optimism coming out of the Jaguars franchise. The team was just bought by new owner Shad Khan this year and they have a young, exciting quarterback in second-year starter Blaine Gabbert.
Even more exciting for the team, the Jaguars will play the San Francisco 49ers in London next season.
"This is a unique and important opportunity for the Jaguars franchise, as well as for our fans and community. To share this stage in our first year at Wembley with a rising power like the 49ers will bring additional attention and respect to what we're trying to achieve as a franchise," Jaguars owner Shad Khan said. "We can't wait to see our global vision for the Jaguars become reality next season."
The Jaguars have already agreed to a deal with the NFL to play four games in London over the next four seasons. The 49ers game is set for Oct. 27, 2013.
"We think Jaguars-49ers is a matchup our fans will really enjoy and a great way to start a new era in the international development of our game," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.
The NFL has played one regular-season game overseas in London since 2007, when the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants played as the home team against the Miami Dolphins. The Giants won that rain soaked game 13-10.
"If we could do it (play games) in the UK there is no reason not to do it in Europe or Latin America," NFL chief marketing officer Mark Waller said. "It's an experiment if we can make it work, there are many other markets we can build the footprint."
The 49ers are no strangers to London, having played against the Denver Broncos in 2010. This season the New England Patriots will play the St. Louis Rams at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 28.
"The 49ers are excited and privileged to once again serve as ambassadors for the NFL and the game of football internationally," said 49ers CEO Jed York to USA Today. "Our 2010 experience in London was tremendous. The atmosphere at Wembley Stadium on game day was electric. The ability for us to share 49ers football with our faithful fans internationally is a treat for everyone in our organization."
The St. Louis Rams originally had agreed to play four games in London for the NFL, but the team changed its mind to focus on repairing their own home stadium, the Edward Jones Dome.
We believe our attention needs to be on the ongoing First Tier process. We have worked closely with the NFL in coming to this decision and remain key supporters of the international series and its objectivesm," said chief operating officer Kevin Demoff at the time.
Khan hopes to use the four years of London games as chance to turn the Jaguars into a more visible and global franchise.
"Everyone associated with the Jacksonville Jaguars is very much looking forward to our four home games in London through 2016 and we're particularly thrilled and honored that our first opponent will be the San Francisco 49ers," said Khan according to Jacksonville.com.
The team has one of the worst attendance numbers in the league and is frequently cited when reporters talk about franchises moving to Los Angeles. By playing in London, the team can help bring the Jaguars profile to a prominent place and perhaps make more money, stopping the chatter about moving the franchise for good.
When Khan purchased the franchise from former owner Wayne Weaver, he agreed to do all he could to keep the team in Jacksonville.
"My dream is to see this team be successful in Jacksonville, and I found an owner that has the commitment and that passion," Weaver said according to NFL.com. "He really wanted to buy a team, and he wanted to do it here in Jacksonville. This gentleman is absolutely the American story."
Either way, the Jaguars will only benefit from the exposure in London and the hands-on approach by Khan and his work in the community should put the franchise in the right direction moving forward.
