Jacksonville city officials have approved funding for stadium upgrades to EverBank Field in an effort to keep the Jacksonville Jaguars in the city.

Jaguars owner Shad Khan has pledged $20m (£12.5m) towards the stadium redevelopment but needed another $43m (£27m) to be able to afford two new scoreboards and an interactive area that will include a pool.

The city council voted 14-2 in favour of approving the funding, and Jaguars president Mark Lamping was quick to express his gratitude.

"We are very appreciative of the support of City Council. A project like this requires vision and forward thinking, and that is what has been demonstrated by the many people involved," Lamping is quoted as saying by ESPN.

The Jaguars are currently bottom of the AFC South, but won their first game of the season on Sunday, beating the Tennessee Titans 29-27.

Written by
Barney Corkhill