Jacksonville on short list for NASL franchise

[CityLife]

That is exactly how I envisioned a smaller stadium/amphitheater with river views. Would be an awesome set up for concerts too.

Btw, I hear Shad Khan is starting to reach out to the soccer community in Jax. I believe he wants youth teams here to travel to London  and vice versa. Its fairly common for English clubs to have their youth teams to do tours of the states/Florida. My old club team played Newcastle, Leeds, and West Ham back in the day. Would be cool to have a venue for matches like that (not that they would be huge draws), as well as big high school matches (which sometimes draw a couple thousand), and the occasional big JU/UNF game. Plus there is the possibility for high school football, lacrosse, and rugby.

Also, a lot of European teams hold summer camps in desirable locations. Its not far fetched to think that Khan would have Fulham train here and hold scrimmages and exhibition games there.

[copperfiend]

concerts, you could even hold playoff high school football games there if the demand is needed (maybe even D1-AA if JU makes it)

That is the good thing about having a stadium that size. And those lacrossee games that they have at Everbank could be held here too.

[77danj7]

Press release just announced that Jacksonville was awarded a franchise per 1010xl

[ProjectMaximus]

http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=5055

Soccer fans in Jacksonville, FL, and Oklahoma City, OK, will have a North American Soccer League team to cheer for when the 2015 Spring Season kicks off after the NASL Board of Governors unanimously approved expansion franchise bids for both cities.

The NASL Board received presentations from groups representing four prospective expansion cities as part of two days of meetings being held in Dallas, Texas.

"We are delighted to be expanding to two cities that clearly have a passion for soccer, where we believe local fans will be excited to welcome our newest teams," said NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson.  "We have considered expansion to cities that meet specific criteria and most importantly have strong ownership groups that will provide a long and stable future for the NASL in those markets, which we clearly have in both Jacksonville and Oklahoma City."

Mark Frisch and former professional soccer player Dario Sala of the Sunshine Soccer Group, which staged a Mexico Primera League exhibition game at EverBank Field in the city earlier this month, led the successful Jacksonville bid.

"I am thrilled to have helped lead an effort to bring pro soccer back to Jacksonville," said Frisch. "I am very grateful for all the support from the city and the fans leading up to this day.  I know the fans out there have been waiting for this moment for a long time.  I cannot wait to go out and meet them all personally and talk the beautiful game of soccer in Jacksonville."

Commissioner Peterson added: "I have seen first hand the desire the Jacksonville community has for a professional soccer team to call its own and believe this is a great move for soccer in Florida.  The Sunshine Soccer Group is creating another in-state rivalry for our teams the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Fort Lauderdale Strikers, appealing to the global soccer passion for local derbies that are always special occasions."

Oklahoma City businessman Tim McLaughlin presented to the NASL Board of Governors on behalf of OKC Pro Soccer LLC, which has already secured the rights to plays its games at Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City.

"Bringing a high-level professional soccer club to Oklahoma City is going to add an exciting new sports dimension to our city and state," said McLaughlin.  "We look forward to working with the NASL to give our community a soccer team and game experience people will be talking about for many years to come.

"We're especially excited to know that bringing this level of professional soccer to our market will also help the local schools whose historic Taft Stadium we will play in when it is remodeled and refurbished to its former glory.  We will create a revenue source for the local community because every ticket we sell will benefit inner city schools.  To say we are excited and overwhelmed is an understatement."

Commissioner Peterson added: "The Board of Governors has recognized a carefully crafted bid from OKC Pro Soccer LLC, who waited patiently to build a strong platform that will ensure NASL soccer thrives in Oklahoma City.  Like their Jacksonville counterparts, they have almost two full years to prepare an unrivaled coaching staff, player roster and venue to create a team that local fans will be proud to support."

[ProjectMaximus]

wow, even wikipedia is already updated.

[danno]

Good Stuff.

[CityLife]

Sweet! Great work by all those who made it happen.

[I-10east]

So what do do yall think the name should be? Just some playful thoughts.

FC Jacksonville?
Jacksonville Consolidated FC?
Jacksonville Bull Sharks?
Jacksonville Futbollers?
Jacksonville Junction?
Jacksonville Jag Cubs?
Jacksonville Sea Surge?

[JayBird]

^ How about Mayor Browns Intimidators!  Just kidding, just kidding.

I think anything with sharks or jags in the name is not good. Maybe a name like Jax Pride would be empowering ... Well scratch that, sounds like a welfare program

[I-10east]

^^^I agree that Sharks, or Jaguars in the name wouldn't be good, I was just playing around with those names; I subtlety added the old Jacksonville Bulls name within the 'Bull Sharks' LOL  Yeah, I'm not feeling the 'Pride' name. I kinda like my 'Consolidated' name, as it's kinda a take off the 'United' named soccer teams; The name connection with the city is obvious. 

[blizz01]

FC Duval
Tea Men

[edjax]

Jacksonville Wave FC

[I-10east]

FC Duval

All the more reason to chant "Duuuuuval!!!"

[copperfiend]

I have heard Jacksonville Inferno as a possibility.

I like Jacksonville Bold City FC

[Charles Hunter]

For reference, the other NASL team names are:
Atlanta Silverbacks
Carolina Railhawks
FC Edmonton
Ft. Lauderdale Strikers
Indy Eleven
Minnesota United FC
New York Cosmos
Ottawa Fury FC
Puerto Rico Islanders
San Antonio Scorpions
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Virginia Calvary FC


Jacksonville River Rats
for the alliteration: First Coast Football Club (FCFC)
more connected with the southwest and Central America: Jacksonville Conquistadors 

I like Inferno, that came in while I was typing ...