Sporting Club Jacksonville

Sporting Club Jacksonville, commonly known as Sporting JAX, is an American professional sports club based in Jacksonville, Florida. The soccer team competes in USL Championship (USLC).

Founded in 2022, the club began playing in 2026.

History

Founding

A USL Championship franchise in Jacksonville was announced on August 30, 2022, led by venture capitalist Ricky Caplin and former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow. The group partnered with Florida Elite Soccer Academy, rebranding it as the Sporting JAX Soccer Academy, to form a full development pathway.^[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

Mark Warburton, best known for leading post-liquidation Rangers FC 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]

On November 4, 2025, Sporting JAX appointed former Dundee United manager Liam Fox as the first head coach in men's team history. The role marked his first coaching position outside Scotland. Fox signed a two-year contract, with an option for a third year. Upon his appointment, he described the opportunity as “a brilliant challenge to build a club from the bottom up,” noting that Sporting JAX had no signed players and no permanent stadium at the time of his arrival.^[8][9]

The USL Championship announced on December 11, 2025, that Sporting JAX would play its inaugural home match on March 7, 2026 against Hartford Athletic at Hodges Stadium on the campus of the University of North Florida (UNF).^[10]

On December 15, 2025, Sporting JAX announced the first two signings to its inaugural roster: defender Dida Armstrong and forward Luc Granitur.^[11][12]

On March 24, 2026, Sporting JAX announced that they had parted ways with CEO Steve Livingstone, while simultaneously promoting Mark Warburton to president of soccer.^[13]

Women's team

On May 16, 2023, the JAXUSL group was awarded a conditional franchise in the USL Super League, contingent upon completing their soccer-specific stadium.^[14][15]

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.^[16]

Ownership and staff

Ownership

Technical staff

Stadium

Until the completion of their permanent home venue, Sporting JAX will play its home matches at Hodges Stadium on the campus of the University of North Florida. The stadium, which seats approximately 9,400 spectators, will serve as the club's temporary home beginning with its inaugural USL Super League season in 2025. The stadium's capacity can reach up to 12,000.

The club has announced plans to construct a new soccer-specific stadium in Jacksonville, with a target opening date in 2026 or 2027, subject to final approvals and construction timelines. 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.^[17][18][3]

On September 10, 2025, in a press release, it was announced that Orlando-based Momentous Sports, a private investment firm involved in sports and real estate development, is supporting the development of a mixed-use district surrounding a proposed Sporting JAX stadium, which is planned to include residential, retail, and community spaces. Its investor group includes former professional athletes such as John Elway, Blake Bortles, and Sporting JAX co-owner Tim Tebow, as well as business figures including Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy.^[19]

As of September 17, 2025, Zoe Haugen, president of Haugen Holdings—the public relations and marketing firm representing the club—confirmed that a previously reported site at the former Sears space in Regency Square Mall was no longer under consideration for the stadium location.^[20]

In December 2025, Sporting JAX president and CEO Steve Livingstone provided further details on the club's stadium plans in an interview with the Jacksonville Daily Record. While no stadium location had been announced as of January 8, 2026, he confirmed the proposed 15,000-seat stadium would be paired with a mixed-use development including retail, dining, hotel, and community spaces, and could include practice facilities for the club's youth academies. Livingstone also stated that the stadium is intended to serve as a year-round community venue capable of hosting high school championships, NCAA tournaments, markets, and other events.^[21]

On February 24, 2026, the club announced the appointment of Michael McNaughton as president of the Sporting JAX Development Company, responsible for the club's real estate and master-planning initiatives. McNaughton, a real estate executive with more than 30 years of experience in large-scale and mixed-use development, will lead plans for a purpose-built sporting district intended to serve as the permanent home of the club's men's and women's teams. He previously held senior roles with Westfield Corporation, where he was involved in U.S. development projects including the redevelopment of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, and served as founder and chief operating officer of Rouse Properties.^[22]

On March 2, 2026, Sporting JAX announced that its proposed permanent stadium and surrounding development would be located in the St. Johns Town Center area, marking the first time the club publicly identified a specific area of Jacksonville for the project. The organization described the initiative as a "transformative mixed-use sporting and entertainment district," centered on a 15,000-seat soccer-specific stadium intended to serve as the permanent home of both its men's and women's teams. The club did not announce a timeline or funding for the project, but want to "hit the ground running" when the permitting is completed.^[23][24]

Uniforms

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.

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.^[25]

Media

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.

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.^[26]

Mascot

Rex, a 20-foot-tall T-Rex statue, is the official mascot of Sporting JAX and was unveiled in April 2025. It is an iconic local landmark located on Beach Boulevard.

The mascot features a steel frame covered with stucco, glowing red eyes, and a fierce jaw. He debuted during the club’s inaugural season in August 2025.

Rex embodies the club’s connection to the Jacksonville community and its local culture, appearing prominently at games and community events through inflatable T-Rex costumes. Fans often participate in “Dino Dashes,” races held during matches in which they wear the suits, similar in spirit to the popular T-Rex races held elsewhere.^[27]

Community

In October 2025, Sporting JAX partnered with Gainbridge, the Gainbridge Super League and the Baxter E. Luther Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida to install a soccer mini-pitch in Florida. This initiative is part of their ongoing efforts to provide accessible soccer facilities and foster youth development in underserved communities.^[28]

Sporting JAX hosts an annual high school soccer media day at the Riverside YMCA, bringing together local student-athletes and coaches ahead of the upcoming season. The event features team and individual photos, interviews, and opportunities for local media coverage, promoting the sport and fostering community engagement.^[29]

Swimming

Sporting JAX Aquatic Club is the competitive swimming arm of Sporting Club Jacksonville, operating under the Sporting JAX umbrella in Northeast Florida. The club serves swimmers and triathletes, offering training and competition opportunities at various levels and participating in regional and national events.^[30]

In October 2025, Olympic gold‑medalist swimmer Caeleb Dressel joined Sporting JAX Aquatic Club to prepare for the 2028 Olympic Games, reuniting with his longtime coach, Steve Jungbluth.^[30]

References

1. ^ "United Soccer League announces expansion plans for Jacksonville". USL Championship. August 30, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
2. ^ "Jacksonville pro soccer returns with Tebow-backed USL men's, women's squads". Soccer Stadium Digest. August 30, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
3. ^ Freeman, Clayton (August 30, 2022). "Pro soccer returning to Jacksonville with Tim Tebow-backed USL franchise". Florida Times-Union. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
4. ^ "Legendary Jacksonville Jaguar Fred Taylor joins JAXUSL ownership group". USL Championship. November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
5. ^ 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.
6. ^ "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.
7. ^ Hanratty, Robbie (20 March 2025). "Former Rangers boss Mark Warburton accepts unique new overseas role". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
8. ^ Freeman, Clayton. "Sporting Club Jacksonville hires its first head coach for men's soccer. Meet the new boss". Jacksonville.com. The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
9. ^ Wilson, Fraser. "Liam Fox on exciting Sporting JAX plans, taking over team with no signed players and pride at high-flying Hearts". DailyRecord.co.uk. Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
10. ^ USLChampionship.com Staff. "USL Championship Reveals 2026 Home Openers". USLChampionship.com. USL Championship. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
11. ^ "Sporting Club Jacksonville unveils Dida Armstrong, Luc Granitur as first signings". USL Championship. December 20, 2025. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
12. ^ Freeman, Clayton (December 15, 2025). "Sporting Jax men begin with UNF striker, second-generation defender". Jacksonville.com. The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
13. ^ Freeman, Clayton (24 March 2026). "Livingstone out as Sporting Jax president, Warburton promoted". Jacksonville.com. The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
14. ^ "USL Super League Announces Initial Markets". USL Super League. May 16, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
15. ^ Bunker, Chase (May 16, 2023). "Professional women's soccer coming to Jacksonville". Action News Jax. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
16. ^ Ashley, Kyle. "Sporting JAX names Stacey Balaam first head coach of USL Super League women’s team". News4Jax.com. News 4 Jax. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
17. ^ "United Soccer League announces expansion plans for Jacksonville". USL Championship. August 30, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
18. ^ "Jacksonville pro soccer returns with Tebow-backed USL men's, women's squads". Soccer Stadium Digest. August 30, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
19. ^ "Bortles, Tebow, Chick-fil-A CEO plan mixed-use district around future Sporting JAX stadium. But where will it be?". News4Jax.com. Graham Media Group. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
20. ^ Anderson, Ric. "Sporting JAX media rep: Sears site at Regency ‘not a possibility’ for stadium". JaxDailyRecord.com. Jacksonville Daily Record. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
21. ^ Lister, Joe (12 January 2026). "Sporting JAX wants to make billion-dollar impact on Northeast Florida". JaxDailyRecord.com. Jacksonville Daily Record. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
22. ^ Marbut, Max (24 February 2026). "Michael McNaughton named president of Sporting JAX Development Co.". JaxDailyRecord.com. Jacksonville Daily Record. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
23. ^ Barney, Justin (2 March 2026). "‘Transformative’: Sporting JAX announces new soccer home, stadium in Town Center area". News4Jax.com. WJXT. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
24. ^ Lister, Joe (2 March 2026). "Sporting JAX unveils new stadium development site near Town Center". JaxDailyRecord.com. Jacksonville Daily Record. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
25. ^ Porter, Chris. "Sporting Jax unveils inaugural kits". FirstCoastNews.com. WTLV-TV. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
26. ^ "Sporting JAX and Norsan Media join forces to amplify soccer in local Hispanic communities". JaxChamber.com. Jax Chamber. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
27. ^ "Sporting JAX Announces Historic First Signing of Rex – the iconic Beach Boulevard Dinosaur – as Center Forward and Club Mascot". SportingJAX.com. Sporting Club Jacksonville. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
28. ^ Freeman, Clayton. "This Jacksonville Boys & Girls Club is adding a new sports feature. What's on the way?". Jacksonville.com. The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
29. ^ Barney, Justin. "Photo gallery: Scenes from high school soccer media day". News4Jax.com. Graham Media Group. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
30. ^ Harvey, Malcolm (2 October 2025). "9-time Olympic gold medalist Caeleb Dressel joining Sporting JAX Aquatic Club". FirstCoastNews.com. WTLV-TV. Retrieved 3 February 2026.