Three-year deal includes new Sporting JAX weekly show starting May 18 and game broadcasts beginning in 2026
Sporting JAX has entered into a three-year partnership with Tegna-owned First Coast News stations including WTLV NBC12, WJXX ABC25, First Coast News+ and related digital channels.
The agreement includes the launch of The Sporting JAX Report, a weekly magazine show covering the developments around the USL Championship and USL Super League teams, along with the club’s plans to build a 15,000-seat soccer stadium and continued community impact. Once Sporting JAX begins play in 2026, games will be broadcast locally on First Coast News stations.
“We are excited to partner with Sporting Club Jacksonville across all our platforms to bring professional men’s and women’s soccer to the First Coast,” said Tim Thomas, First Coast News On Your Side President and General Manager. “We are proud to partner with a group that is focused on our community. Initially, we will air the weekly Sporting Jax Report on WJXX ABC25, WTLV NBC12, FCN Weather Channel and on FCN+ streaming on Roku, Fire TV and Apple+.”
The Sporting JAX Report debuts at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 on WTLV NBC12 and will have its first weekly airings at noon Wednesday on WJXX ABC25 with encore airings on weekends, on First Coast News+ and at 10 a.m. Saturdays on WJXX.2/Comcast channel 201.
“Our partnership with First Coast News gives us an exciting opportunity to connect with soccer fans in our local area,” said Steve Livingstone, President and CEO of Sporting JAX. “It was clear from our earliest conversations with Tim and his team that they understood the positive impact professional men’s and women’s soccer will bring to our community and our vision for the growth of the sport across Northeast Florida.”
Cole Pepper, Sporting JAX director of broadcasting and digital content, along with technical director Mauricio Ruiz, will host The Sporting JAX Report. The show will also feature weekly contributions from Becky Burleigh, former University of Florida National Championship-winning coach. The Sporting JAX Report will debut on Wednesday, May 22 at noon on WJXX ABC25, with additional weekly airings on First Coast News stations and platforms.
Fans can reserve their spots as season ticket members with a deposit of $25 for the pro men’s or women’s team, or a $40 deposit for both teams at www.sportingjax.com/ticket-deposits.
For the latest Sporting JAX news and club updates, fans are encouraged to follow @Sporting_JAX across all social media channels.
About First Coast News
First Coast News, On Your Side is WTLV NBC12, WJXX ABC25 and FCN+ covering the First Coast in Jacksonville, Florida. WTLV NBC12 has set the standard for television excellence on the First Coast. In 1957, the NBC affiliate was the first station in the United States designed for color broadcasting and many of the country’s color commercials were filmed at the station. Channel 12 was the first television station to air a live launch from Cape Canaveral, earning the exclusive spot for NBC’s space coverage. WJXX ABC25, the First Coast’s ABC affiliate, provides viewers with the area’s first duopoly of major networks joining forces with WTLV in 1999. First Coast News On Your Side is home to your Most Accurate Forecasters five years in a row certified by WeatheRate. Stream First Coast News on Roku, Fire TV and Apple+ on First Coast News+. For more information visit firstcoastnews.com.
