 | ||||
| Full name | Sporting Club Jacksonville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short name | Sporting JAX | |||
| Founded | August 30, 2022; 3 years ago (2022-08-30) | |||
| Stadium | Hodges Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 12,000 | |||
| Owners | Ricky Caplin (majority) Tony Allegretti Steve Livingstone Tim Tebow Fred Taylor | |||
| CEO | Steve Livingstone | |||
| Head coach | Liam Fox | |||
| League | USL Championship | |||
| Website | https://www.SportingJAX.com | |||
Sporting Club Jacksonville, commonly known asSporting JAX, is an upcoming American professional soccer club based inJacksonville, Florida. The club is planning to debut in theUSL Championship in March 2026.
AUSL Championship franchise in Jacksonville was announced on August 30, 2022, led by venture capitalist Ricky Caplin and formerHeisman Trophy-winning quarterbackTim Tebow. The group partnered with Florida Elite Soccer Academy, rebranding it as theSporting 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 formerJacksonville Jaguars starFred 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 leadingRangers FC back to theScottish Premiership in2016, was namedSporting 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 formerDundee United managerLiam Fox as the first head coach in men's team history. The role marked his first coaching position outsideScotland. 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]
On May 16, 2023, the JAXUSL group was awarded a conditional franchise in theUSL Super League, contingent upon completing their soccer-specific stadium.[10][11]
The club's women's team debuted in 2025. They are coached byStacey Balaam, former Associate Head Coach ofVanderbilt Commodores women's soccer.[12]
| 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 |
| Vice President of Ticket Sales & Service | Tim Hensley |
| 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 | Jack Gonzalez |
| 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 Coach |  Liam Fox |
| Head of Sports Performance |  Steve Fell |
Until the completion of their permanent home venue, Sporting JAX will play its home matches atHodges Stadium on the campus of theUniversity 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.[14][15][16]
On September 10, 2025, in a press release, it was announced thatOrlando-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 asJohn Elway,Blake Bortles, and Sporting JAX co-owner Tim Tebow, as well as business figures includingChick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy.[17]
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 formerSears space inRegency Square Mall was no longer under consideration for the stadium location.[18]
Sporting JAX unveiled its inaugural home kit for the 2025–26 season during a public launch event and Fan Fest atFriendship Fountain on May 13, 2025. Designed in collaboration withAdidas, 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 inUSL 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.[19]
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, theUSL Championship, theUSL Super League, and global soccer news.
| Media Coverage | |
|---|---|
| WJXX/WTLV[20] | Sporting JAX Report |
| WJXL (1010 AM)[21] | The Coaches Show |
| WFXJ (930 AM)[22] | 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 throughApple Podcasts,Spotify, andYouTube. 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.[23]
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Rex, a 20-foot-tallT-Rex statue, is the official mascot of Sporting JAX and was unveiled in April 2025. It is an iconic local landmark located onBeach Boulevard.
The mascot features a steel frame covered withstucco, 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 throughinflatable T-Rex costumes. Fans often participate in “Dino Dashes,” races held during matches in which they wear the suits, similar in spirit to the popularT-Rex races held elsewhere.[24]
In October 2025, Sporting JAX partnered with Gainbridge, the Gainbridge Super League and theBaxter 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.[25]
Sporting JAX hosts an annualhigh school soccer media day at theRiversideYMCA, bringing together localstudent-athletes andcoaches 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.[26]
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