The Jacksonville Jaguars need tax money to build their stadium. Because the population is not enthusiastic, the team bosses are now threatening

The Jacksonville Jaguars want to renovate their stadium using around one billion US dollars in taxpayers’ money. Because this plan is being criticised by the public, the franchise is now threatening to move.

“If there is a referendum, the question on the ballot should be: Do you want to keep the NFL in Jacksonville?”, Jaguars CEO Mark Lamping said at the AXS DRIVE conference in St Louis.

Earlier, a University of North Florida poll had revealed that only six percent of Jacksonville residents would support paying a billion dollars. Some 47 per cent of the population would not even care if the Jaguars left town if they did not get the money.

“If Jacksonville loses an NFL team, they will never get one again,” Lamping continued. “And if the Jaguars have to move out of Jacksonville, those of us who went there have failed. And really, none of us want to see that happen. “

Team moves are not uncommon in the NFL. In recent years, the San Diego Chargers and St. Louis Rams moved to Los Angeles; the Oakland Raiders relocated to Las Vegas in 2020. It is still unclear, however, how serious Jaguars owner Shad Khan and Co. are about the threat.

In the current NFL season, the “Jags” are facing week three with a record of one win and one loss. Due to good performances in the past season, the franchise is considered a clear playoff candidate.