NFL Rumors: Jaguars may play preseason game at Daytona 500
By Josh Hill
The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of a handful of NFL franchises who are routinely mentioned with relocation whenever Los Angeles or that giant stadium they want to build is brought up. The Jaguars play in the swaps of Florida but they have a fan following that may not want to see them go all the way across the country.
More from Jacksonville Jaguars
- NFL Power Rankings: Who is the best quarterback in each division?
- NFL Power Rankings: Which teams will have the best rushing attacks this season?
- NFL power rankings: Which teams will have the best defense this season?
- Trevor, start your engine: Jaguars’ temporary stadium could be NASCAR mecca
- Georgia-Florida rivalry set to move on campuses, but with a catch
Not wanting to move away may be a sentiment shared by current ownership as the Jaguars are looking at ways to become more of a local fixture in the community like so many other NFL franchises are in the cities in which they play.
According to the Miami Herald, the Jaguars are looking to branch out and truly embrace the region in which they play, which could lead to a preseason game eventually being playing in the infield of the Daytona Motor Speedway.
"The Jaguars have made it clear they would like to regionalize their small-market franchise, which could lead to playing preseason games in neighboring cities like Daytona Beach, Gainesville and Orlando. And Chitwood wants to host a football game on Daytona’s front-stretch infield."
Right now, the Jaguars lack an identity both on the field and off, which is something Shad Kahn is trying to change starting right now. It’s unclear if or when the Jaguars would play at the Daytona Speedway but it’s an idea that is being considered in more than one location.
The Tennessee Volunteers and West Virginia Mountaineers are booked to play a 2016 regular season game at the Bristol Motor Speedway and that could open up more games held at NASCAR and motorways across the country. Jacksonville needs gimmicks to generate fan interest and playing at Daytona is something that probably should have happened already.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/06/11/4171077/daytona-would-welcome-jaguars.html#storylink=cpy