As Super Bowl fever grips the nation, fans, team owners, and football enthusiasts are gathering in grand style. Some team owners are arriving in floating palaces, turning the event into a showcase of luxury. Atlanta Falcons owner and Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank has already made his entrance on his $180 million Dreamboat yacht. Meanwhile, Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham Football Club owner Shahid Khan has docked his $360 million superyacht, Kismet, along the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans, drawing attention with its sheer magnificence.
The 400-foot Lürssen masterpiece is a sight to behold, but what makes it even more remarkable is the journey of its owner. Today, Khan is a billionaire sports mogul, but there was a time when he could not afford a $9 hotel room.
He washed dishes for $1.20 an hour just to get by. Born in Pakistan, Khan was the son of a math professor and was sent to the United States to build a better future. While studying mechanical engineering, he joined the automotive parts supplier, Flex-N-Gate, as an intern. After graduation, he took up a full-time role, and in 1978, he launched his own venture, Bumper Works. His innovations in car bumpers led to a breakthrough, allowing him to acquire Flex-N-Gate and transform it into a multibillion-dollar enterprise.
Khan’s automotive empire not only made him one of the most influential figures in the industry but also positioned him as a major player in high-stakes corporate battles. The emergence of Shahid Khan, who made his fortune selling car bumpers, in the race to rescue embattled Japanese airbag manufacturer Takata Corp. pitted him against more established parts suppliers and some of the world’s biggest buyout firms.
His rise continued when he made history in 2011 by becoming the first non-white owner of an NFL team after purchasing the Jacksonville Jaguars for $770 million. In 2013, he expanded his empire by acquiring Fulham F.C. in England.
It is hard to imagine that the man who once could not afford a $2 bed at the YMCA now relaxes in a lavish two-level master suite aboard Kismet. The man who stood for hours washing dishes now relaxes in a Balinese spa and Jacuzzi, which rivals the world’s finest resorts.
Today, life is an extravagant affair for the self-made billionaire worth $13 billion. His floating sanctuary accommodates 15 guests across nine opulent cabins, attended by a crew of 36. Now docked beside the iconic Steamboat Natchez, Kismet is drawing attention at the Riverwalk, according to Nola.com.
More than just a yacht, Kismet is a floating spectacle with six expansive decks, three pools, four fireplaces, a combined pickleball and basketball court, a cryotherapy chamber, a sauna, and a Turkish bath. It also features a helipad, a full-service spa, an indoor and outdoor theater, a dance floor, a gym, and an elevator.
For Khan, the Super Bowl is not just about watching the game. It is about arriving in unmatched style.
