Pro soccer returning to Jacksonville with Tim Tebow-backed USL franchise

Started by Ken_FSU, August 30, 2022, 04:03:38 PM

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Charles Hunter

#1
August 30, 2022, 04:42:14 PM
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Most importantly, club leadership has yet to finalize a location for a stadium, although Livingstone said the club is "well down the road" on assessing the possibilities, which could include sites in Duval, Clay or St. Johns counties. He said that JAXUSL has been in consultation with Sports Facilities Advisory, a Clearwater-based athletic consulting firm, to assess further steps in the process.

Does this mean the Eastside (Sports Complex Adjacent) site is dead?

Ken_FSU

#2
August 30, 2022, 04:53:29 PM
Quote from: Charles Hunter on August 30, 2022, 04:42:14 PM
Quote
Most importantly, club leadership has yet to finalize a location for a stadium, although Livingstone said the club is "well down the road" on assessing the possibilities, which could include sites in Duval, Clay or St. Johns counties. He said that JAXUSL has been in consultation with Sports Facilities Advisory, a Clearwater-based athletic consulting firm, to assess further steps in the process.

Does this mean the Eastside (Sports Complex Adjacent) site is dead?

TBD.

Worth noting that Tony Allegretti has signed on as a co-owner of the franchise.

Hopefully that's a good sign that whoever builds a soccer stadium in Jax will prioritize an urban, rather than suburban, location.

Ken_FSU

#3
August 30, 2022, 09:16:45 PM
Orlando City beat writer thinks that the USL really wants a piece of the North Florida market, but that he still sees an MLS-affiliated Armada team with the proposed Eastside stadium coming out on top.

If the Armada plan materializes, it'd be fun to see the USL team set up shop in St. Johns County.

Charles Hunter

#5
August 30, 2022, 10:56:18 PM
Maybe they can build an island in that fake lake down in St. Johns?

marcuscnelson

#6
August 30, 2022, 11:51:21 PM
Quote from: Ken_FSU on August 30, 2022, 09:16:45 PM
Orlando City beat writer thinks that the USL really wants a piece of the North Florida market, but that he still sees an MLS-affiliated Armada team with the proposed Eastside stadium coming out on top.

If the Armada plan materializes, it'd be fun to see the USL team set up shop in St. Johns County.

I didn't realize this was a competition! It feels nice to be desired. I must say, the Armada have really worked to build their own brand cachet, even with the financial setbacks. We'll see what USL ends up coming up with.

I'm curious what the site options are for the USL team. Seems like they'd want a lot of land to place a big stadium, presumably some ridiculous amount of parking, and a training complex.
So, to the young people fighting in this movement for change, here is my charge: march in the streets, protest, run for school committee or city council or the state legislature. And win. - Ed Markey

landfall

#7
August 31, 2022, 05:29:15 AM
Armada are dead IMO.

Had three years to get a stadium moving and they've downgraded to a crappy standard of soccer. They're an irrelevance now and had enough patience. If they had their ass in gear this USL team wouldn't have appeared.

More meat on this already with the likes of Tebow and Livingstone involved.

Tacachale

#8
August 31, 2022, 10:54:03 AM
Whichever team makes the stadium work will move forward, so probably whichever one is furthest along will come out on top. They may both move forward, but that's not likely sustainable. The stadium issue is the only reason we don't have a team already. We don't have a good place to play soccer, meaning either the city chips in (cities do chip in for USL stadiums, often in hopes of moving up to MLS eventually) or it's private funding. And as we've seen, that's a long row to hoe.

More than that, location makes or breaks these things. Accessible stadiums in centralized urban areas tending to be the more successful ones. Land in the suburbs is cheaper and you can do more with it (training fields, etc.) but in the longer term, most fans just aren't driving out to the burbs for minor league soccer.

Oh, and the idea that soccer-specific stadiums are necessary for success is a canard. That doesn't play out in MLS and it won't play out in the lower levels. It's location, location, location.
Do you believe that when the blue jay or another bird sings and the body is trembling, that is a signal that people are coming or something important is about to happen?

edjax

#9
August 31, 2022, 11:05:42 AM
I follow a guy on twitter that seems to be pretty connected in the local soccer scene.  In fact he worked for the Armada.  Of course all of this his opinion but again he seems connected. He feels this endeavor is destined for failure and/or actually never happening. He cites the inclusion of Livingstone as one reason and says he was the primary reason for the destruction of the Armada.  He also says that their association with Florida Elite as that organization is having some serious issues.  Also his opinion if it happens it would be in St Johns county. He also states the Armada is NOT dead and from his connections he is hearing that the new stadium could start construction next year. Again, just sharing this persons comments.

pierre

#10
September 01, 2022, 02:56:34 PM
I would bet on the USL group being more successful than whatever the Armada are trying to be. I've noticed there are some very dedicated Armada fan boys on social media. I don't see how anyone can expect the Armada to be anything more than the amateur team they have been for years.

fsquid

#11
October 11, 2022, 05:03:05 PM
Quote from: edjax on August 31, 2022, 11:05:42 AM
I follow a guy on twitter that seems to be pretty connected in the local soccer scene.  In fact he worked for the Armada.  Of course all of this his opinion but again he seems connected. He feels this endeavor is destined for failure and/or actually never happening. He cites the inclusion of Livingstone as one reason and says he was the primary reason for the destruction of the Armada.  He also says that their association with Florida Elite as that organization is having some serious issues.  Also his opinion if it happens it would be in St Johns county. He also states the Armada is NOT dead and from his connections he is hearing that the new stadium could start construction next year. Again, just sharing this persons comments.

So weird that a team would want to associate with only one club in town and not all of them.  Seems like you are cutting your audience as I know JFC and Clay do not have the highest opinion of Florida Elite.

marcuscnelson

#12
June 22, 2023, 08:29:52 PM
In addition to the USL Championship men's team, Jacksonville is also in line for a USL Super League women's team.

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2023/06/22/watch-live-jax-usl-soccer-team-making-announcement-about-womens-soccer-in-jacksonville/

Stadium plans still undecided.
So, to the young people fighting in this movement for change, here is my charge: march in the streets, protest, run for school committee or city council or the state legislature. And win. - Ed Markey

copperfiend

#13
July 03, 2025, 03:28:18 PM
So, whats the deal with Sporting Jax? We're coming up on three years since this announcement, when the group gave a projected 2025 start. And claimed to already be progressing on a stadium.

The women's team is playing at UNF. But there's been no news about the men's team starting anytime soon. And no news on a potential stadium other than the Regency Sears rumors from last year.

The team is very active on social media, has sponsorship deals and has added celebrity partners. But nobody mentions when and where they're actually going to start playing.

blizz01

#14
July 03, 2025, 10:07:26 PM
Sadly and ironically, I just donated my T-shirt from a few Christmases ago to Goodwill...
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