The Jacksonville Armada announced Dec. 12 that team owner Robert Palmer is launching an effort to bring a professional National Women’s Soccer League franchise to Jacksonville.
The New York City-headquartered NWSL calls itself “the premier women’s professional soccer league in the world featuring national team players from around the globe.”
“Having engaged in discussions with the NWSL, it affirmed what I already knew – the women’s game is experiencing a global surge, and the NWSL stands as the undisputed pinnacle of women’s soccer in the United States,” Palmer said in the news release.
“I envision Jacksonville playing a pivotal role in the elevation and expansion of the beautiful game.”
The release said Palmer created Jax Downtown Pro Women’s Soccer LLC for the effort.
“For this venture, Palmer is actively exploring including other like-minded individuals to form a new ownership group to pursue Jacksonville’s bid for an NWSL expansion team,” the release said.
Palmer acquired the Armada, a men’s team, in 2017. He is the founder and CEO of Robert Palmer Companies, which includes RP Funding.
The Armada announced plans in November to break ground on the first phase new Downtown stadium early next year.
Through RP Sports Investment Inc., Palmer bought the stadium site bounded by A. Philip Randolph Blvd. and Grant, Georgia and Albert streets from the city for $1.
Palmer is paying for the construction of the stadium.
The Armada plans to join the MLS NEXT Pro league and start play Downtown in 2025. MLS NEXT Pro is considered the third division of pro soccer in the U.S..
The NWSL team also would play in the new Armada stadium.
“The second phase of this project is poised to provide an ideal home for the prospective NWSL expansion team,” the release said.
A conceptual map of the stadium shows 2,500 seats in Phase 1 of the project and 6,972 seats in Phase 2 for a total of 9,472 seats.
The 14-team NWSL was founded in 2012.
There is one Florida team, the Orlando Pride. It plays in the 25,500-seat Exploria Stadium.
The other 13 clubs are Angel City FC in Los Angeles; Bay FC, Boston; Chicago Red Stars; Houston Dash; Kansas City Current; New Jersey/ New York Gotham FC; North Carolina Courage near Raleigh; OL Reign, Seattle; Portland Thorns FC; Racing Louisville FC; San Diego Wave FC; Utah Royals FC in Salt Lake City; and the Washington Spirit.
“The NWSL’s global impact is evident, with sixty-one of its stars representing their countries in the recent 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup,” The release said.
“Of the 23-member USWNT squad, an impressive 22 players compete domestically in the National Women’s Soccer League, solidifying its status as the premier women’s professional soccer league in the United States.”