StateofFlorida.com is not affiliated with, owned, or operated by the State of Florida and is not endorsed or approved by the State of Florida. The race attracts drivers and fans from all over the world. The hiring of Tony Dungy in 1996 started an improving trend that eventually led to the team's victory in Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003 under coach Jon Gruden.
In professional sports, Florida has three National Football League teams, two Major League Baseball teams, two National Basketball Association teams, two National Hockey League teams, two Major League Soccer teams, one Women's Soccer team and many minor league teams in various sports. The first two events were held at Tampa Stadium, and the other two at Raymond James Stadium. Orlando is the home city of two major league professional sports teams — the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA), and Orlando City SC of Major League Soccer (MLS). Visit MyFlorida.com, Recent Sports News — State of Florida.com. The team initially played in the North American Soccer League, then transitioned into the National Premier Soccer League, before a season in the National Independent Soccer Association, before making the jump to the Division II USL where it plays today. All Rights Reserved. The Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association was formed in 1988 as an expansion team. Before Florida had its first NBA franchise, the Miami Floridians, later in their history known as The Floridians, played in the American Basketball Association from 1968 through 1972.
Tampa Bay is represented by three major sports teams: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League, the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League, and the Tampa Bay Rays of MLB, but is also home to USL Championship's Tampa Bay Rowdies and the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL. Florida Sports Teams - High School, College, League, and Professional sports teams located in Florida. Come cheer on … Fort Lauderdale offers endless possibilities for adventure, all year round. Miami's MLS team, Inter Miami CF, is owned by David Beckham and began league play in 2020.
Florida is home to many professional sports teams and organizations. The Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball began play in the 1993 season. Throughout MLB history, other teams have held spring training in Florida. The Jacksonville Jaguars joined the NFL as an expansion team in the 1995 season; they play their home games at EverBank Field. In 2016, the Orlando Pride, operated by Orlando City, began play in the National Women's Soccer League. South Florida is home to the Marlins, Dolphins, Heat, Panthers and Inter Miami. Tampa Bay, currently play in the USL Championship (known before 2019 as the United Soccer League), joining the league after leaving the North American Soccer League in 2016. Each year drawing a total of over 100,000+ fans. Orlando City's reserve side, Orlando City B, began play in the league now known as the USL Championship in 2016, suspended play after the 2017 season, and resumed play in 2019 as a founding member of the third-level USL League One. The Miami Fusion played in MLS from 1998 to 2001, winning the Supporters' Shield in their last season before folding. The PGA of America is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, the PGA Tour is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, and the LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach. Book your Travel with Us! Several Major League baseball teams conduct spring training in the state, and most also operate minor league teams in the Class-A Florida State League. Jacksonville hosts the Florida–Georgia game, an annual college football game between the University of Florida and the University of Georgia since 1933, as well as the Gator Bowl, a post-season college bowl game since 1946. The Tampa Bay Rowdies of the original North American Soccer League began play in 1975, drawing good crowds and winning Soccer Bowl '75, but the team and the league ultimately folded. Sports teams in Florida include many professional, semi-professional, amateur and college teams. In this time, they've won one championship in the 2012 North American Soccer League season. They have won three league championships (in 2006, 2012 and 2013), plus six conference titles.
Other notable college teams are the Florida Atlantic Owls, FIU Panthers, UCF Knights and South Florida Bulls. Also, the Orlando Pride has competed in the National Women's Soccer League since 2016. Florida gained its first permanent major-league professional sports team in 1966 when the American Football League added the Miami Dolphins.