Shad Khan's new massive 'Kismet' yacht arrives in Jacksonville. (Jacksonville, Florida Times Union/USA TODAY NETWORK)

In the words of heroic Watergate-era FBI Deputy Director Mark Felt, portrayed by Hal Holbrook in the movie, "All the President's Men," "I hate shallowness." While neglecting coverage of our local governments, the Godawful GANNETT newspaper chain chagrins with more of its superficial, maladroit dopey dupey "Chain Gang Journalism,"* worshiping wealthy billionaires.  Thorstein Veblin coined the phrases "Conspicuous Invidious Consumption" and "Conspicuous Leisure" to describe such self-indulgence.  Naturally, the public servants or serpents of our northern neighbors, the City of Jacksonville,  promiscuously spend public funds to subsidize SHAD KHAN, the bumptious billionaire, and his NFL football team, the Jacksonville Jaguars  You tell me why.  As Judge Litt would have asked, "Cut bono?" (Who benefits, y'all?)

* In our July 4, 1981 Prospectus, our nascent Appalachian Observer in Clinton, Tennessee badly outlined our plans to cover the news without fear or favor, drawing a contrast with what we called "Chain Gang Journalism" at dull newspapers more interested in coverups, PR, flummery, dupery and nincompoopery than actual investigative reporting and real news coverage.

Shad Khan's new massive 'Kismet' yacht arrives in Jacksonville

C. A. Bridges

USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida

If you check the docks downtown, you can see Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan's newest megayacht.

It's hard to miss it, actually. It's long enough for the Jags to play a game on.

Kismet debuted at the Monaco Yacht Show and Jaguars' sponsors, business partners and London dignitaries got to see the billionaire's new ship for the first time when he hosted his annual party in October before the New England Patriots game at Wembley Stadium (the Jags took it 1-6).

This is Khan's fourth yacht and third megayacht. Here's what to know.

Does Shad Khan have a new yacht?

The Kismet is the billionaire's fourth and largest yacht yet. His first was a 160-foot superyacht named "Gallant Lady" he bought from Southeast Toyota executive Jim Moran.

Khan's first Kismet, which like the next two was built by German shipyard Lürssen, was a 197-foot superyacht delivered in 2007. It was replaced by a new 315-foot megayacht Kismet in 2014, which was later rechristened "Whisper" and put up for sale in 2020. It was reportedly purchased by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt in 2023.

Khan's Kismet keeps getting bigger:Jaguars owner Shad Khan brings extravagant business game to London on superyacht Kismet

How big is Shad Khan's newest megayacht, 'Kismet'?

The new Kismet has a length on water of 400 feet (122 meters).

It can accommodate up to 12 guests in up to nine cabins, boatinternational reported, with a crew of 36 plus the captain to serve them. The Kismet includes three pools spread out over six decks, four fireplaces, two fire pits, a spa featuring a hammam, or Turkish bath, sauna and cryotherapy chamber, plus a gym, basketball court and pickleball court. And, of course, a helipad.

For entertainment, guests can enjoy the outdoor cinema, the dance floor, the DJ station, the four bars, an underwater viewing lounge, and a variety of water devices including Jet Skis, SeaBobs, a sailing dinghy, e-foils, WaveRunners and a Riva boat for day excursions. Guests can dine in multiple formal and casual areas with everything from Michelin dining to barbecue.

Lürssen described the ship as a "beautiful, bespoke homage to the owner’s lifestyle" with sumptuously appointed interiors and an elaborate staircase.

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How much is Shad Khan's yacht worth?

The reported price tag for the latest "Kismet," built to Khan's specifications under "Project Jag," was $360 million.

How much to rent Shad Khan's yacht?

According to autoevolution.com, the Kismet was listed for charter for about $3.2 million a week. With expenses, taxes and gratuities, it could run as much as $5.4 million, Business Insider said.

How much is Shad Khan worth?

As of Nov. 11, 2024, Forbes lists Shad Khan's net worth as $13.6 billion. He is ranked the 64th richest person in the world.

Where does Shad Khan live?

Khan maintains a family home in Champaign, Illinois, according to profootballnetwork,com, an $8 million penthouse in Chicago's Park Tower, and a $11.5 million 5-bedroom, 6.5-bath, 12,000-square-foot oceanfront penthouse in Naples where he lives with his wife, Ann Carlson. They have two grown children, a daughter, Shanna, and a son, Tony Khan. 

What's the difference between a yacht, a superyacht and a megayacht?

All three are generally luxurious, but the difference is size.

• Yachts: There's no standard definition but it usually applies to ships with a cabin intended for overnight use that are at least 33 feet (about 10 meters) in length. Aesthetics also plays a part.
• Superyachts: A yacht that is typically between 79 feet (24 meters) to around 197 feet (60 meters) in length.
• Megayachts: A yacht that is more than 197 feet in length. These can reach up to 590 feet (nearly 180 meters) or more, although the really big ones are starting to get called:
• Gigayachts: A yacht that is 328 feet (50 meters) long or longer.

Megayacht parking:Billionaire fights to dock his boat on water behind his house. His 164-foot boat, that is.

Is Shad Khan's Kismet the largest yacht in the world?

It's dramatically impressive, but it's not even in the top 25.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' $500 million, 417-foot megayacht Koru is so large a Dutch port city had to dismantle an historic bridge to let it go by, and it's not in the top 25.

The largest yacht in the world, according to boatinternational.com, is the Azzam, a staggering 590-foot (180.6 meters) long ship reportedly built for Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan of Abu Dhabi’s royal family.

The rest of the yachts on the list also belong to Middle Eastern royalty, billionaires or governments. Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly owns multiple yachts, including the 459-foot Scheherazade.