Sporting Club Jacksonville
 | ||
| Full name | Sporting Club Jacksonville | |
|---|---|---|
| Short name | Sporting JAX | |
| Founded | May 16, 2023 | |
| Stadium | TBD | |
| Capacity | TBD | |
| Owners | Ricky Caplin (majority) Tony Allegretti Steve Livingstone Tim Tebow Fred Taylor | |
| League | USL Championship | |
| 2026 | Inaugural season | |
| Website | https://www.SportingJAX.com | |
|
| ||
Sporting Club Jacksonville, commonly known as Sporting JAX, is an upcoming American professional soccer club based in Jacksonville, Florida. The club is planning to debut in the USL Championship in 2026.
History
[edit]Founding
[edit]A USL Championship franchise for Jacksonville was awarded to an investment group led by venture capitalist Ricky Caplin and former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow on August 30, 2022. The team established a partnership with USL League Two and USL W League club Florida Elite Soccer Academy to create a full development pathway from youth to professional levels for both men and women.[1][2][3]
The club expanded its leadership team on November 30—coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the NFL awarding Jacksonville its franchise—by adding former Jacksonville Jaguars star Fred Taylor to the ownership group.[4][5]
Sporting Club Jacksonville, branded as Sporting JAX, was officially unveiled on December 12, 2023, along with its logo and team colors.[6]
USL Championship era
[edit]Mark Warburton, best known for leading Rangers FC back to the Scottish Premiership in 2016, was named Sporting Director and Head of Soccer on March 20, 2025. He oversees both the men’s and women’s teams.[7]
Women's team
[edit]On May 16, 2023, the JAXUSL group was awarded a conditional franchise in the USL Super League, contingent upon completing their soccer-specific stadium.[8][9]
The club's women's team debuted in 2025. They are coached by Stacey Balaam, former Associate Head Coach of Vanderbilt Commodores women's soccer.[10]
Ownership and staff
[edit]- As of April 22, 2025[11]
Ownership
[edit]
Minority Owner
Minority Owner
Head of Soccer, Sporting Director
| Ownership | |
|---|---|
| Majority owner | Ricky Caplin |
| Minority owner | Tim Tebow |
| Minority owner | Fred Taylor |
| Executive | |
|---|---|
| Club President and CEO | Steve Livingstone |
| Executive Vice President of Business Management | J.J. Keitzer |
| Chief Community Officer | Tony Allegretti |
| Special Advisor to the President | Bob Ohrablo |
| Technical & Business Development Manager | Mauricio Ruiz |
| Director of Marketing and Brand | David Phillips |
| Director of Broadcasting and Digital Content | Cole Pepper |
| Director of Ticket Sales and Services | Madison Holesko |
| Senior Manager, Business Operations and Development | Sara Garcia-Malone |
| Head of Operations | Marshall Happer |
| Merchandise Manager | Anthony Ortiz |
Technical staff
[edit]- As of April 22, 2025[11]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head of Soccer, Sporting Director |  Mark Warburton
|
| Head of Sports Performance |  Steve Fell
|
Stadium
[edit]The club has announced plans to construct a new soccer-specific stadium in Jacksonville. The new facility is expected to accommodate approximately 15,000 spectators and serve as the long-term home for both the men's and women's teams.[1][2][3] The club has not announced a home stadium for its inaugural USL Championship season in 2026.
Uniforms
[edit]Sporting JAX unveiled its inaugural home kit for the 2025–26 season during a public launch event and Fan Fest at Friendship Fountain on May 13, 2025. Designed in collaboration with Adidas, the kit features a custom light blue jersey accented with bold orange Adidas three-stripe detailing. Caplin Ventures, owned by majority owner Ricky Caplin, appears as the primary shirt sponsor. The launch marked a major milestone for the club as it enters USL competition and aimed to unify its professional, pre-professional, and academy teams under a single visual identity.
| Period | Kit Manufacturer | Shirt Sponsor | Back Sponsor | Sleeve Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–present | Adidas | Caplin Ventures | N/A | N/A |
The home kit will be worn across all Sporting JAX teams, including those in USL League Two, USL W League, and the Sporting JAX Academy. The event also showcased goalkeeper kits, alternate and youth academy kits, as well as training wear and equipment. Players from the club's men's and women’s pre-professional teams modeled the kits, with the event drawing hundreds of fans and featuring appearances from club executives, coaching staff, and adidas representatives.[12]
Media
[edit]Sporting JAX maintains a growing presence in local media through strategic partnerships with television, radio, and digital platforms in the Jacksonville area. These outlets provide fans with comprehensive coverage of Sporting JAX, the USL Championship, the USL Super League, and global soccer news.
| Media Coverage | |
|---|---|
| WJXX/WTLV[13] | Sporting JAX Report |
| WJXL (1010 AM)[14] | The Coaches Show |
| WFXJ (930 AM)[15] | The Sporting JAX Soccer Hour |
In addition to traditional media coverage, the club produces a podcast titled, The Sporting Pod, hosted by Cole Pepper and featuring regular appearances from team officials and players. It's available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Emerson Burris serves as the club’s official team reporter.
On April 25, 2025, Sporting JAX expanded its outreach by partnering with Norsan Media to deliver Spanish-language broadcasts. As the club’s exclusive Spanish-language media partner, Norsan Media offers coverage via La Raza 92.9 FM, Kaliente 94.1 FM, and Hola News, aiming to engage and grow the local Hispanic fan base.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "United Soccer League announces expansion plans for Jacksonville". USL Championship. August 30, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ^ a b "Jacksonville pro soccer returns with Tebow-backed USL men's, women's squads". Soccer Stadium Digest. August 30, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ a b Freeman, Clayton (August 30, 2022). "Pro soccer returning to Jacksonville with Tim Tebow-backed USL franchise". Florida Times-Union. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ "Legendary Jacksonville Jaguar Fred Taylor joins JAXUSL ownership group". USL Championship. November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ Freeman, Clayton (November 30, 2023). "JAXUSL soccer club adds former Jacksonville Jaguars RB Fred Taylor to ownership group". Florida Times-Union. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ "JAXUSL Ownership Group Unveils New Club's Name, Colors, Crest and Motto Reflecting its Bold, Inclusive Community". SportingJAX.com. Sporting JAX. December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
- ^ Hanratty, Robbie (March 20, 2025). "Former Rangers boss Mark Warburton accepts unique new overseas role". Glasgow Times. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
- ^ "USL Super League Announces Initial Markets". USL Super League. May 16, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ Bunker, Chase (May 16, 2023). "Professional women's soccer coming to Jacksonville". Action News Jax. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ Ashley, Kyle. "Sporting JAX names Stacey Balaam first head coach of USL Super League women's team". News4Jax.com. News 4 Jax. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ a b "About Sporting JAX". SportingJAX.com. Sporting Club Jacksonville. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ Porter, Chris. "Sporting Jax unveils inaugural kits". FirstCoastNews.com. First Coast News. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ Krishnaiyer, Kartik. "Sporting JAX enters into three-year partnership with First Coast News stations - includes weekly Sporting JAX Report". BeyondThe90.Substack.com. Beyond the 90'. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ "Sporting JAX has teamed up with leading local sports radio broadcaster 1010XL". SportingJAX.com. Sporting Club Jacksonville. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
- ^ Macdonald, Dan. "Sporting JAX continues making partnership alliances as team's first season nears". JaxDailyRecord.com. Jax Daily Record. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ "Sporting JAX and Norsan Media join forces to amplify soccer in local Hispanic communities". JaxChamber.com. Jax Chamber. Retrieved May 14, 2025.