Jacksonville Jaguars’ new owner Pakistani business man, Shahid Khan – NFL News
Shahid Khan who has emerged as the new owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars is a multidimensional personality, known for his business, passion for American football and philanthropic contributions to various American causes.
With the deal for the Jaguars, he has become first person from the US minorities to have ownership rights of a National Football League (NFL) franchise.
He is an Illinois-based Pakistani-born business, owning an automobile business. He owns auto parts manufacturer Flex-N-Gate Corporation.
Like many other Pakistanis, Mr Khan had gone to the US when he was 16 years old. He graduated from School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois, with BSc in 1971.
Besides his business, Shahid Khan is also known for his passion for the American football. He last year made an unsuccessful bid for St. Louis Rams franchise. He lost the race for Rams in favour of Stan Kroenke.
He however was successful this year, reaching a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver. Weaver said that he had been pleased to hand over the franchise to a right person and hoped that Shahid Khan will build
the team.
"This gentleman is absolutely the American story," Weaver said of Khan.
Kent Brown, sports information director at the University of Illinois, said Khans have had “a huge impact on Champaign-Urbana” and on the Illinois university. The Champagne-Urbana is an area in the Illinois County.
“Shad (Shahid) has always been one of the go-to people in the community,” Brown said. “He’s absolutely top-drawer, a great citizen and a great person.” Brown who was one of the Shahid’s co-workers said that Shahid has always
people near him very well.
Another aspect of Shahid Khan and his wife Ann Carlson’s personalities is philanthropy. They are said to have contributed to Republican candidates in national races. Shahid Khan has also donated $100,000 to the Chicago campaign
of Democrat Rahm Emanuel.
The family has made a contribution of 10 million dollars in donations for the project of Khan Annex to Huff Hall. The Hall accommodates Illinois University's college of applied sciences.
"One of the great joys of my life is making money," Khan said. "What makes it even better is to use it to make a difference."
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