 | |||
| Full name | Sporting Club Jacksonville | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Short name | Sporting JAX | ||
| Founded | August 30, 2022 | ||
| Owners | Ricky Caplin (majority) Tony Allegretti Steve Livingstone Tim Tebow Fred Taylor | ||
| CEO | Steve Livingstone | ||
| League | USL Championship | ||
| 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.
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]
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]
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 | |
|---|---|
| Majority owner | Ricky Caplin |
| Minority owner | Steve Livingstone |
| Minority owner | Tony Allegretti |
| 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 |
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head of Soccer, Sporting Director |  Mark Warburton |
| Head of Sports Performance |  Steve Fell |
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. [12] [13] [14] The club has not announced a home stadium for its inaugural USL Championship season in 2026.
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. [15]
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. [16]
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. [17]
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 [18] | Sporting JAX Report |
| WJXL (1010 AM) [19] | The Coaches Show |
| WFXJ (930 AM) [20] | 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. [21]
