Shahid Khan is a Pakistani-American businessman who is best known for being the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, a professional American football team in the National Football League (NFL). However, before he became a successful entrepreneur, Khan had a brief stint in football as a student-athlete.
Khan was born in Lahore, Pakistan in 1950 and moved to the United States in 1967 to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He earned a degree in industrial engineering and began working for the automotive parts manufacturer Flex-N-Gate, eventually becoming the company's owner and CEO.
While attending college, Khan played on the university's club football team as a defensive lineman. He was known for his size and strength, standing at 6'2" and weighing over 300 pounds. However, he was not a standout player and did not pursue a career in football after college.
Instead, Khan focused on his business career and became a billionaire through his success with Flex-N-Gate and other ventures. In 2011, he made headlines when he purchased the Jacksonville Jaguars for $770 million, becoming the first person of Asian descent to own an NFL team.
Under Khan's ownership, the Jaguars have had mixed success on the field. The team has made the playoffs only once since he took over, in 2017, and has struggled with consistency and roster turnover. However, Khan has been praised for his commitment to improving the team's facilities and fan experience, including a $63 million renovation of the team's stadium.
Khan has also been involved in other football-related ventures. In 2013, he purchased the English football club Fulham FC, which plays in the second-tier Championship league. He has invested heavily in the team and has expressed a desire to see them promoted to the Premier League, the top level of English football.
In addition to his football interests, Khan is also involved in other sports and entertainment ventures. He owns the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) promotion, which competes with WWE in the professional wrestling industry. He also owns the Four Seasons hotel in Toronto and has been involved in real estate development projects in the United States and abroad.
Overall, Shahid Khan's football career was brief but notable. While he was not a standout player, his success as a businessman has allowed him to become a major player in the NFL and other sports industries. His ownership of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham FC has made him a prominent figure in football circles, and his commitment to improving his teams' facilities and fan experience has earned him respect from fans and fellow owners alike.
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