While Jacksonville’s biggest professional sports franchise is inarguably the NFL’s Jaguars, the city has a rich history of hosting successful sports teams that long predates the arrival of the Jags.
Jax has hosted several championship-caliber franchises over the years. Some helped pave the way for future teams, while a few are still in operation here today.
We’ve compiled a list of the best minor-league professional sports franchises to call Jacksonville their home. Let us know if you agree or disagree!
An offshoot of the very-short-lived Jacksonville Bluewaves, the Jacksonville Giants are by far the city’s most successful venture into professional basketball.
The Giants, owned by local attorney Ron Sholes, began play in the ABA in 2010 by going undefeated in their first season before losing in the playoffs.
By 2012, they’d won the first of their jaw-dropping six league championships. Their most recent title run came earlier this year and marked their fourth consecutive ABA championship. They’ve won the most titles out of any ABA franchise since the league re-formed in 2000.
The Giants have also found success in bringing in local fans, having set multiple ABA attendance records and even hosting the league’s All-Star Game in 2011.
Next season, the Giants will look to make it an unprecedented five straight titles. Much like the Sharks, it doesn’t look like the Giants will be going anywhere in the near future.
