Through global payment and transfer solutions, the partnership between Western Union Business Solutions and the Jacksonville Jaguars is focused on supporting growth as the American football team continues to strengthen its commitment to the UK.
THE CHALLENGE: Finding effective methods to support business expansion overseas
Love for the United States’ National Football League (NFL) has been growing amongst UK sports enthusiasts with a fan base of more than 13 million, including close to four million avid fans, according to NFL figures.
At the forefront of this attention are Florida’s Jacksonville Jaguars, who have played one game each year at London’s Wembley Stadium since 2012. The Jaguars’ footprint in London continues to grow, as the team has registered over 85,000 fans in the UK and rank fourth most popular among NFL teams in European NFL merchandise sales.
UK engagement brings new challenges for the Jaguars financial management team. The complexity of managing an international sports business means finding the most effective methods to support players and staff travelling overseas and simplify the payment process for merchandise and ticket sales ranging from stand-alone tickets to full NFL London experience packages for fans across the globe.
As Jaguars Chief Financial Officer Kelly Flanagan, explains: “Following our investment in the UK sporting market, we needed a seamless business tool to help support our now international rather than national business needs.”
THE SOLUTION: Cross-border digital transfer and payments platform to help make fast and easy transactions
Experts in cross-border business payments, Western Union Business Solutions provided the Jacksonville Jaguars with a global cross-border digital transfer and payments platform that helps the team make fast and easy digital transactions with individuals, commercial partners and worldwide organisations.
As well as the tools and services, Western Union’s foreign exchange experts bring market knowledge and insight to the Jaguars to help them plan for and manage currency fluctuations no matter where in the world.
THE RESULT: Seamless payments to help bring American football to an ever-increasing UK fan base
A combination of industry-leading tools and trusted advice mean that the Jacksonville Jaguars are able to focus on what matters most – the game – and benefit from the advantages of their dual residency, bringing American football to an ever-increasing UK fan base.
Following the success of the first four games for the Jaguars in the UK, owner Shahid Khan deemed the yearly visit a success and extended the team’s commitment to London until 2020.
Western Union has helped drive efficiencies across the entire platform of Mr. Khan’s sports properties, including the Jaguars and Fulham FC, and has offered guidance to both clubs in navigating the nuances associated with Brexit.
“SEAMLESS, EFFICIENT AND BESPOKE SERVICE TO OUR INTERNATIONAL CURRENCY SOLUTIONS. THE TEAM HAS BEEN GREAT AT ADAPTING TO THE VARIETY OF OUR NEEDS, DELIVERING FINANCIAL GUIDANCE AND INTERNATIONAL FUND” – Kelly Flanagan, Chief Financial Officer
