JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – February 18, 2014 –The Jacksonville Armada FC has arrived! First Coast sports fans have a new professional soccer team to support today, with the announcement that the city’s North American Soccer League expansion team will be named Jacksonville Armada FC, in a nod to the area’s rich Spanish heritage and strong military connection.
The team name was selected following a fan competition and survey that invited soccer fans across the region to provide suggestions for the new team’s name. Of the more than 1,500 responses, Armada FC was one of the most popular, closely aligning with the new soccer club’s vision of building a passionate, determined and progressive organization.
Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, City Council President Bill Gulliford, Jacksonville Chamber President Daniel Davis and NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson, along with team executives, unveiled the club’s new name and logo in a press conference in front of media and fans at the Jacksonville Landing.
“We love sports in Jacksonville, and we are excited to welcome our newest professional sports team,” said Mayor Alvin Brown. “Soccer is a great family-friendly game and it has a growing base of fans. We want everyone to know that Jacksonville is soccer territory.”
The fan vote also selected the soccer club’s colors – navy blue, royal blue, gold and white – which also reflect Jacksonville’s close links to the area’s U.S. Navy and other military installations. The colors form the foundation of the club’s new logo, which includes a powerful ship’s anchor and the team’s name displayed across a unique angular shield.
Club owner Mark Frisch said that fans were instrumental in providing the inspiration for the team name and that connecting with fans and the community is vital to Jacksonville Armada FC.
“From day one, we committed to make this club the fans’ team, the community’s team, Jacksonville’s team,” said Frisch. “We are honored and proud to reflect the suggestions of our fans in our team name and logo while aligning with the history and tradition of this region.”
“Naming our team Jacksonville Armada FC perfectly reflects our hard-working, passionate, determined and progressive community here on the First Coast,” said Steve Livingstone, team president. “We are greatly looking forward to kicking off play and fully engaging and growing with everyone in the First Coast community.”
“Our club motto is Ex Pertinacia Victoria, which roughly translates to victory through determination,” said Dario Sala, general manager for the team. “It is that determination that will create a winning tradition for the Armada FC and make our city and our region proud.”
Following the much-anticipated unveiling, which comes six months after the NASL awarded the team to Jacksonville, Council President Bill Gulliford joined Frisch, Livingstone and Sala in “christening” the team’s distinctive logo with a traditional champagne launch. Gulliford said that Jacksonville Armada FC will represent the city and region with pride on and off the soccer field.
“I am proud to welcome Jacksonville Armada FC to our city,” said Gulliford. “The team will not only expand the ever-growing roster of professional sports teams calling Jacksonville home, but will also attract new visitors to the area and grow our city’s reputation for hosting world-class sports and entertainment events.”
Jacksonville Chamber President Daniel Davis commended team executives for bringing a new era of professional soccer to Jacksonville, emphasizing the role of sports in complementing business growth efforts.
“The business of sports has become an important part of our community, greatly impacting our culture, economy, development and identity,” said Davis. “Armada FC makes Jacksonville a player in a global game, offering significant opportunity for the city to further grow its footprint on a national and international level.”
Bill Peterson, commissioner for the NASL, welcomed Jacksonville Armada FC to the league family and said he looks forward to them joining competitive play in 2015.
“The NASL is the fastest-growing professional soccer league in the world and truly has a global perspective,” said Peterson. “We know there is an exceptional interest in soccer on the First Coast and Jacksonville Armada FC will provide a strong addition to our league.”
The NASL kicks off its 2014 season in April with ten teams competing including the New York Cosmos, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Atlanta Silverbacks. Jacksonville Armada FC will enter the league in spring 2015 alongside Virginia Cavalry F.C. and Oklahoma City.
Fans can register for Armada FC 2015 season tickets at the club’s new website at ArmadaFC.com. More information on the NASL is available at www.nasl.com. (A full press kit including the new logo and style guide is available upon request).
