The Tampa Bay Sun will kick off USL Super League play in August of 2024. Childhood friends and local business leaders Darryl Shaw, David Laxer (who co-owned FC Tampa Bay/Tampa Bay Rowdies from 2008-2014), and Jeff Fox serve as owners of the team.

Long-term the club plans to play at a purpose-built stadium on the Hillsborough River but temporarily the club will pay the full cost to upgrade and expand the waterfront stadium adjacent to Blake High School in Downtown Tampa. The stadium will host the Sun’s games for its first several seasons.

Last week I spoke with Christina Unkel who is the club’s President. Like me, she believes the USL Super League is essential, as it will provide opportunities for players who otherwise probably could not become professionals.

“When I graduated I could not play professional soccer in the US. I had to go to the referee track to stay involved at a high level. I know we can do 22 to 24 players, paying them full-time salaries. I know what they go through. Payment, housing,  working three jobs It is such a blessing to know I can give these athletes opportunities they would not have had otherwise.” 

Right now NWSL with its single-entity model, quest for celebrity owners, and limited number of teams is accommodating less than 1% of the NCAA athletes that play women’s college soccer.

The Sun will train in Ybor City and has forged a partnership with the Hillsborough County School District regarding both the training and temporary playing venues.

“This is a unique public-private partnership that creates fantastic opportunities for our students and our entire community,” said Van Ayres, Interim Superintendent for Hillsborough County Public Schools, who started his teaching career at Blake in 1997 and worked there as a science teacher and later assistant principal for 15 years.

“On the field, our athletes will have access to excellent new high-end facilities. Off the field, we’ll have new opportunities for hands-on learning for all the students at the school. Plus, our whole community will see the benefits of investing in our schools to create a stronger future for all of us.”

The Sun will have natural rivalries with Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville clubs in the USL Super League. The Fort Lauderdale side will begin play in August 2024 at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, while the Jacksonville club will release more details about its plans in the near future.