Sporting Club Jacksonville
{{distinguish|text=Sporting Club Jacksonville (women), of the USL Super League.}}
{{infobox football club
| clubname = Sporting Club Jacksonville
| image = Sporting Club Jacksonville primary crest.png
| upright =
| caption =
| fullname =
| short name = Sporting JAX
| founded = {{Start date and age|2023|5|16}}
| stadium = TBD
| capacity = TBD
| owntitle = Owners
| owner = Ricky Caplin (majority)
Tony Allegretti
Steve Livingstone
Tim Tebow
Fred Taylor
| chrtitle =
| chairman =
| ceo =
| mgrtitle = Head coach
| manager =
| league = USL Championship
| season = 2026
| position = Pre-inaugural season
| website = https://www.sportingjax.com/
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Sporting Club Jacksonville is an upcoming American professional soccer club located in Jacksonville, Florida. The club is planning to debut in the USL Championship in 2026.
History
A USL Championship franchise for Jacksonville was awarded to an investment group led by venture capitalist Ricky Caplin on August 30, 2022. Former Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Tim Tebow is also one of the investors. The team has established a partnership with USL League Two and USL W League team Florida Elite Soccer Academy to offer a complete pathway from youth to pro for men and women. A 15,000-seat soccer-specific stadium is also being planned.{{cite news |date=August 30, 2022 |title=United Soccer League announces expansion plans for Jacksonville |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1237490 |publisher=USL Championship |accessdate=October 4, 2023}}{{cite news |date=August 30, 2022 |title=Jacksonville pro soccer returns with Tebow-backed USL men's, women's squads |url=https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2022/08/jacksonville-pro-soccer-returns-with-tebow-backed-usl-mens-womens-squads/ |publisher=Soccer Stadium Digest |accessdate=November 30, 2023}}{{cite news |date=August 30, 2022 |title=Pro soccer returning to Jacksonville with Tim Tebow-backed USL franchise |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/mls/2022/08/30/jacksonville-tim-tebow-launch-pro-soccer-franchise-2025-season/7893022001/ |last=Freeman |first=Clayton |publisher=Florida Times-Union |accessdate=November 30, 2023}}
On May 16, 2023, the JAXUSL group was awarded a conditional franchise in the USL Super League, contingent upon completing their soccer-specific stadium.{{cite news |date=May 16, 2023 |title=USL Super League Announces Initial Markets |url=https://www.uslsuperleague.com/news/2023/05/16/usl-super-league-announces-initial-markets/ |publisher=USL Super League |accessdate=November 30, 2023}}{{cite news |date=May 16, 2023 |title=Professional women's soccer coming to Jacksonville |url=https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/jaxusl-bring-womens-soccer-team-jacksonville/7MZ4LTUJGBGA3MRLEKANZGBZSA/ |last=Bunker |first=Chase |publisher=Action News Jax |accessdate=November 30, 2023}}
Former Jacksonville Jaguars star Fred Taylor joined the ownership group on November 30, 2023, which coincidentally, was the 30th anniversary of the NFL awarding Jacksonville the 30th NFL franchise.{{cite news |date=November 30, 2023 |title=Legendary Jacksonville Jaguar Fred Taylor joins JAXUSL ownership group |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1292783 |publisher=USL Championship |accessdate=November 30, 2023}}{{cite news |date=November 30, 2023 |title=JAXUSL soccer club adds former Jacksonville Jaguars RB Fred Taylor to ownership group |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nfl/2023/11/30/fred-taylor-jaxusl-ownership-adds-jacksonville-jaguars-running-back/71751969007/ |last=Freeman |first=Clayton |publisher=Florida Times-Union |accessdate=November 30, 2023}}
On December 12, 2023, the team was officially named "Sporting Club Jacksonville" (shortened to Sporting JAX), and introduced its logo and team colors.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingjax.com/news/2023/12/12/jaxusl-ownership-group-unveils-new-clubs-name-colors-crest-and-motto-reflecting-its-bold-inclusive-community/ |title=JAXUSL Ownership Group Unveils New Club's Name, Colors, Crest and Motto Reflecting its Bold, Inclusive Community |publisher=Sporting Club Jacksonville |date=December 12, 2023 |access-date=December 12, 2023}}
On March 20, 2025, Sporting Club Jacksonville named Mark Warburton as Sporting Director and Head of Soccer.{{cite web |last1=Hanratty |first1=Robbie |title=Former Rangers boss Mark Warburton accepts unique new overseas role |url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/25025522.former-rangers-boss-mark-warburton-accepts-unique-new-overseas-role/ |website=Glasgow Times |date=20 March 2025 |access-date=23 March 2025}} He oversees both the men's and women's teams.
Ownership and staff
=Ownership=
{{stack|
File:Tim Tebow 20071223.jpg,
Minority Owner]]
File:Fred_Taylor_Jacksonville_Jaguar_Headshot.JPG,
Minority Owner]]
File:Mark Warburton.jpg,
Head of Soccer, Sporting Director]]
}}
| class="wikitable"
! style="background:#00aef3; color:#ffed1d; border:2px solid #ffa702;" scope="col" colspan="2"|Ownership |
| {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Majority owner |s= Ricky Caplin}} |
| {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Minority owner |s= Tim Tebow}} |
| {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Minority owner |s= Fred Taylor}} |
| class="wikitable"
! style="background:#00aef3; color:#ffed1d; border:2px solid #ffa702;" scope="col" colspan="2"|Executive |
| {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Club President and CEO |s= Steve Livingstone}} |
| {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Executive Vice President of Business Management |s= J.J. Keitzer}} |
| {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Chief Community Officer |s= Tony Allegretti}} |
| {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Special Advisor to the President |s= Bob Ohrablo}} |
| {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Technical & Business Development Manager |s= Mauricio Ruiz}} |
| {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Director of Marketing and Brand |s= David Phillips}} |
| {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Director of Broadcasting and Digital Content |s= Cole Pepper}} |
| {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Director of Ticket Sales and Services |s= Madison Holesko}} |
| {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Senior Manager, Business Operations and Development |s= Sara Garcia-Malone}} |
| {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Head of Operations |s= Marshall Happer}} |
| {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Merchandise Manager |s= Anthony Ortiz}} |
=Technical staff=
{{updated|April 22, 2025|{{cite web |url=https://www.sportingjax.com/about/ |website=SportingJax.com |publisher=Sporting Club Jacksonville |access-date=22 April 2025 |title=About Sporting JAX }}}}
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| style="background:#00aef3; color:#ffed1d; border:2px solid #ffa702;" scope="col"|Position
! style="background:#00aef3; color:#ffed1d; border:2px solid #ffa702;" scope="col"|Name |
|---|
| Head of Soccer, Sporting Director
| {{flagicon|ENG}} Mark Warburton |
| Head of Sports Performance
| {{flagicon|USA}} Steve Fell |
{{clear}}
Women's team
{{See also|Sporting Club Jacksonville (women)|l1=Sporting Club Jacksonville (USLS)}}
The club also has a women's team that will debut in 2025 in the USL Super League. They are coached by Stacey Balaam, former Associate Head Coach of Vanderbilt Commodores women's soccer.{{cite web |title=Sporting JAX names Stacey Balaam as first head coach of USL Super League women's team |url=https://www.sportingjax.com/news/2025/04/02/stacey-balaam-named-first-head-coach-of-super-league-team/ |website=SportingJax.com |publisher=Sporting Club Jacksonville |access-date=3 April 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{USL Championship}}
{{Florida Sports}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Sporting Club Jacksonville
Category:USL Championship teams
Category:2022 establishments in Florida
Category:Soccer clubs in Florida
Category:Association football clubs established in 2022
{{Florida-footyclub-stub}}