FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. & TAMPA, FLA. – The United Soccer League (USL) Super League, governed by Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), announced the awarding of a new Super League woman’s soccer franchise to be located on the Nova Southeastern University (NSU) campus in the greater Fort Lauderdale area of Davie, Florida.
The new Super League Fort Lauderdale franchise, founded by Tommy Smith, will be developing a team name and identity later this spring. The club has plans for a modernized stadium and on-site training facilities in partnership with NSU at the former practice facility of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. Additional details will be announced in the coming months.
Set to kick off in August 2024, the USL Super League intends to launch as a first division league, reflecting its commitment to the highest standards in American soccer and a collective vision to be a global leader in women’s soccer on and off the field.
“We are thrilled to announce the launch of the first professional women’s soccer team in South Florida, marking a historic milestone for our community,” Super League Fort Lauderdale owner, Tommy Smith said. “Our mission is to deliver the highest standard of play by recruiting world class global talent while also empowering young women in South Florida. Super League Fort Lauderdale aims to create a direct pathway to Division 1 professional soccer, offering local players the opportunity to shine on the national stage and providing a platform for growth beyond the game.”
Fort Lauderdale will join the previously announced markets for the inaugural Super League season: Charlotte; Dallas/Fort Worth; Lexington; Phoenix; Spokane; Tampa Bay; Tucson; and Washington, D.C. Also announced in May were Chattanooga, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Madison and Oakland – all of which will compete in subsequent seasons pending completion of stadium projects.
“South Florida is ready for professional women’s soccer, USL Super League President Amanda Vandervort said. “Fort Lauderdale is a great addition to an already strong contingent of Super League markets, and we’re looking forward to kicking off next fall.”
“I am both honored and humbled that the Super League Fort Lauderdale chose Nova Southeastern University to be the home of one of its newest franchises,” said Dr. George Hanbury, NSU President and CEO. “The doors this will open for our students are tremendous; not only for NSU’s student athletes, but other NSU students as well, as they can see, first-hand, their chosen field of study – whether business, sports medicine, physical therapy, psychology, or more – in a real-world, professional sports league setting.”
Stay up to date on club-hosted events leading up to the USWNT match at www.SuperLeagueFortLauderdale.com and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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About Nova Southeastern University (NSU): At NSU, students don’t just get an education, they get the competitive edge they need for real careers, real contributions and real life. A dynamic, private research university, NSU is providing high-quality educational and research programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree levels. Established in 1964, the university includes 14 colleges, the “theme park” for start-ups, scale-ups , and entrepreneurs, the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation, the 215,000-square-foot Center for Collaborative Research, the private PK1-12 grade University School, the world-class NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, and the Alvin Sherman Library, Research and Information Technology Center, one of Florida’s largest public libraries. NSU students learn at our campuses in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, Miramar, Orlando, Palm Beach, and Tampa, Florida, as well as San Juan, Puerto Rico, and online globally. With more than 200,000 alumni across the globe, the reach of the NSU community is worldwide. Classified as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU is one of only 59 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification, and is also the largest private institution in the United States that meets the U.S. Department of Education’s criteria as a Hispanic-serving Institution. Please visit www.nova.edu for more information.
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