National Football League

Khan's bid to buy Jaguars clears hurdle

Published Dec. 6, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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The NFL's finance committee voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend Shahid Khan's bid to buy the Jaguars to the full ownership committee for a vote next week.

Asked whether the team would remain in Jacksonville, the Illinois businessman said he couldn't comment until the deal was approved — then offered a hint of what the answer would be.

''Hopefully the vote goes the way we're expecting; I'll be happy to elaborate on that, and (fans) will not be disappointed,'' Khan said after meeting with the 10 owners on the committee at league headquarters.

Wayne Weaver announced last Tuesday that he had agreed to sell the franchise to Khan for a reported $760 million. The owners will vote Dec. 14 in Dallas.

Khan declined Weaver's invitation to attend Monday night's game against San Diego, saying the spotlight should be on the outgoing owner. He watched the 38-14 loss on TV and saw the fans wearing fake moustaches in honor of his trademark look.

''I've got to tell you — it was the best-looking group of fans I've ever seen,'' Khan said with a chuckle. ''They looked beautiful. I was really surprised. It was wonderful.''

He thanked the fans for their ''really warm overtures.''

''It's a day I'm going to remember for a long time,'' Khan said, standing next to Weaver.

Khan had initially said he wouldn't speak publicly until after next week's vote, but he decided to answer a few questions on camera after two Jacksonville TV stations made the trip to New York for the finance committee meeting.

Last Tuesday was the wildest day in the small-market club's history since its inception in 1993. Weaver fired longtime coach Jack Del Rio after a 3-8 start and gave general manager Gene Smith a three-year contract extension, putting him in charge of the coaching search.

Weaver had for several years been seeking a buyer who would keep the team — often rumored as a future Los Angeles transplant — in Jacksonville.

Weaver is a member of the finance committee but recused himself from Tuesday's vote.

Born in Pakistan, Khan came to the United States as a teenager to attend the University of Illinois. In 1980, he purchased Flex-N-Gate Corp., a major manufacturer of bumper systems for pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles built in North America.

Khan sought to buy controlling interest in the St. Louis Rams last year.

''It's unbelievable,'' he said of being so close to becoming an NFL owner. ''It's the American dream.''

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