Former Jacksonville Jaguars star running back Maurice Jones-Drew invests in European pro football team
A to Z Sports has learned that former Jacksonville Jaguars star running back Maurice Jones-Drew has purchased a minority interest in the Prague Lions, an American football team competing in the European League of Football.Jones-Drew is joined in this investment venture by fellow former NFL playmaker DeVante Parker (who just retired from the league this […]
A to Z Sports has learned that former Jacksonville Jaguars star running back Maurice Jones-Drew has purchased a minority interest in the Prague Lions, an American football team competing in the European League of Football.
Jones-Drew is joined in this investment venture by fellow former NFL playmaker DeVante Parker (who just retired from the league this spring), rock star Vince Neil of Motley Crue, and a group of investors from Nashville, Tennessee.
MJD, of course, spent eight of his nine NFL seasons playing with the Jacksonville Jaguars where he racked up over 10,000 yards from scrimmage and scored about 80 touchdowns. Since then he has continued his work in football as a successful radio personality and live broadcast analyst for various high profile sports media companies.
Now he hopes to continue his investment in the growth and coverage of football as he turns an eye towards the premier American football league in Europe, the ELF.
Who are the Prague Lions and the ELF?
The six-time Czech League of American Football champions, Prague Lions, recently decided to make a move to join the highest standard of American football in Europe. However, in order to make that leap, the team knew they would need proper funding to find success that would match expectations set by their franchise's illustrious history. That's where Maurice Jones-Drew and the star-studded investment group comes in.
Mason Parker, the new team president and general manager of the Prague Lions, teamed up with Vince Neil of Motley Crue, MDJ, DeVante Parker, plus Nashville entrepreneurs Andy Moats, Tom Fox, and Will Lowery to step in and help the Prague Lions take the next steps in building a winning European League of Football franchise.
The Prague Lions were part of a league expansion last season to bring the total teams in the ELF to 17. The investment group and team management has since rebranded with a new logo, bought all brand new gear and uniforms, and have begun putting significant money towards the next few seasons so that the Prague Lions can not only compete, but win against the toughest opponents in the European League of Football.
The team just added Daniel Wright this offseason, a two-time national champion defensive back with Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide. They also signed star quarterback Kare Lyles, who recently played with Deion Sanders at Jackson State and in the German Football League in 2023. The vast majority of the rest of the team are Europeans who are looking to make a name for themselves as the sport's popularity continues to grow internationally.
The third season of the ELF–the premier American football league in Europe–has already begun just a few short weeks ago with major legacy brands like the Barcelona Dragons, Berlin Thunder, and the defending champion Rhein Fire.
MJD joins a league that already features several former NFL players and coaches who are looking to expand the growth of football in Europe. Hall of Fame offensive lineman Joe Thomas is a coach with the Munich Ravens. Jon Gruden is an advisor with the Milano Seamen. And former NFL edge defender Michael Sam is a coach with the Barcelona Dragons.
The ELF regular season will continue through the end of August, with the playoffs and championship wrapping up in late September. We'll be back with more updates on MJD, the Prague Lions, and the ELF here at A to Z Sports as more exciting football games unfold! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
