12 Untold History

Blinding lights illuminated the Gator Bowl stadium as rain poured down, creating a slick surface on the pitch on the night of April 10, 1982. The 4,537-person crowd, smaller than expected but nonetheless spirited, buzzed with anticipation. The Jacksonville Tea Men, riding high on a seven-game winning streak, made their way onto the field for the first time, their first home game as the Jacksonville Tea Men. They were determined to secure another victory against the formidable Cosmos, a soccer team from New York City. With three wins outdoors and four indoors in their recent streak, the Tea Men were confident in their abilities to defeat the Cosmos once again. The Game went back and forth, Cosmos scored followed by the Tea Men’s. After intense plays the match was tied with eight and a half minutes remaining. The score was 2-2, when Cosmo’s star player, Giorgia Chinaglia, lined up for a penalty kick. With little time to spare, this goal was sure to determine the winner. The soaked audience watched in anticipation as he lined up his shot. It was between Jacksonville goalkeeper Arnie Mausser and Chinaglia. Two men, one ball, every shot mattered. As Chinaglia sent the ball, time seemed to slow, the crowd on the edge of their seats. Mausser tried to block the ball, but he could not stop it, the ball landed in the back of the net. The Cosmos scored, taking a one-point lead, but could they hold it? The Tea Men attacked with calculation, but no one could get the ball long enough to score and for the first time in 7 games, the Cosmos won.¹

Though the Tea Men lost this, Jacksonville was still riding high from recently winning its first professional sports team in the city’s history. For the Tea Men, Jacksonville was not their first home; until the 1982 North American Soccer League (NASL) season, Massachusetts was home to the mighty Tea Men. Their patriotic name and logo seemed to fit perfectly in Boston, but for many reasons, including financial challenges and insufficient fan support, the Tea Men sought a new city to call home. Jacksonville was excited to welcome the Tea Men as their first professional sports team, looking to promote the Jacksonville name among sports fans across the United States. This essay explores the history of how Jacksonville brought the Tea Men to town and how the team paved the way for the expansion of the professional sports industry in the city, which ultimately boosted the city’s population and economy.

In Boston Massachusetts, the birthplace of the New England Tea Men, sports were an influential part of everyday life. After the Civil War, sports spread like wildfire throughout the United States, burning out of control in Boston. Stephen Hardy described it as the “athletic germ” in his book, How Boston Played: Sports, Recreation, and Community, 1865-1915, saying how it “infected the country” and “found its most fertile ground in cities like Boston.”² In the 1970s, Boston was home to four major professional sports teams: the Boston Red Sox (baseball), the Boston Celtics (basketball), the Boston Bruins (ice hockey), and the New England Patriots (football).³ In 1978, the New England Tea Men (soccer) became the fifth professional sports team in the Boston area.⁴

In contrast to Boston’s five teams, Jacksonville, Florida had no professional sports teams to call their own. They were aware of the prosperity that a professional sports team could offer their struggling city and were looking for an opportunity to join the booming sports industry. “Suddenly,” Phil Rogers, sportswriter for the Times Union, wrote, “almost without warning, Jacksonville is becoming a soccer town.” There was a new desire among Jacksonville residents; they wanted to have a team to be proud of, a team to call their own. Rogers also wrote that day, November 16, 1980, that “there was speculation about the transfer of the struggling Houston Hurricane,” but “it didn’t come about.”⁵ Two days later, the reasons for this shortcoming were published. In an interview done by the Times-Union, Dave Hannah said, “it was basically a manner of running out of time.”⁶ However, news of another struggling team provided Jacksonville with the hope that they would have their own team before the decade was out.

Foxborough, Massachusetts, is a charming town situated just 22 miles from Boston Center. In 1978, it became the birthplace of a notable competitor, the New England Tea Men. Coached by Noel Cantwell, the Tea Men scored 60 goals their first season. Their lead striker, Mike Flanagan, scored 30 goals, only four less than Giorgio Chinaglia, the lead striker for the New York Cosmos.⁷ Despite their success, the Tea Men were involved in a legal war with Bay State Harness Horse and Breeding Association (BSHA). Schaefer Stadium was built for the New England Patriots, who entered into a sublease with Lipton, the Tea Men’s sponsor, becoming the stadium for the Tea Men’s home games. This was exactly what the new team needed; however, the BSHA did not agree. The Stadium shared parking with the BSHA Track, which created problems when games and races were scheduled on the same night. At the end of 1978, “the State Racing Commission granted Raceway additional racing dates. At about the same time the Tea Men announced their 1979 home game schedule.” Of the fifteen home games the Tea Men would play, fourteen of them conflicted with dates of the Raceway’s horse races. Due to this conflict, the Bay State Harness Horse and Breading Association took Lipton Professional Soccer to court. As a result of the court case, Lipton Prof. Soccer v. Bay State Harness Horse, Lipton could not, “without the prior written consent of raceway, permit soccer to be played on the premises covered by the stadium lease.” In compliance with this decision, the Tea Men had to receive permission or move their games; more often than not it was the latter.⁸ “The team played its home games at Boston University’s Nickerson Field” significantly affecting fan attendance. In the 1979 season, the Tea Men “drew only 98,433 fans (6,562 average),” the 3^rd smallest of the 24 teams in the NASL. The first domino had tipped, and it was not long before the rest followed.⁹

Several months after obtaining the court order against the New England Tea Men, the New England Harness Raceway were struggling financially. The Raceway, once a thriving venue, was now grappling with significant losses that threatened its operations. To address this budgetary crisis, the Raceway management proposed a drastic solution: “they told the New England Patriots and Tea Men to chip in $2 million apiece for the privilege of using Schaefer Stadium.” However, the Tea Men were also facing their own challenges in generating sufficient revenue. As the team struggled to attract fans, their once-promising attendance figures began to dwindle. This decline was particularly alarming as the decrease in fan engagement directly impacted ticket sales, leading to a further reduction in income. The combination of dwindling attendance and rising operational costs painted a grim picture for the team’s future, raising questions about its viability in a state that had once been considered a potential soccer stronghold. With each passing game, the Tea Men became aware that they were just delaying the inevitable—eventually they would have to leave Massachusetts.¹⁰

As the 1979 season came and went, the New England Tea Men found themselves on the lookout for a new home. Meanwhile, Jacksonville was eager to embrace the prosperity of professional sports, actively searching for a franchise to call its own. This parallel pursuit created a unique opportunity for both the Tea Men and the city, as they sought to redefine their futures amid struggles and setbacks. The Tea Men’s search for a new home was no secret. “It’s been common knowledge through the league and media we’ve had problems with our stadium up here,” said New England general manager Bob Keating. “we’re quite interested in locating a team in Jacksonville… I think it’s a great market.” Jacksonville liked what they heard and had hopes for an incoming soccer team. Even if the Tea Men never made it to Jacksonville, Rich Miller, vice president of the American Soccer League (ASL), said “if the NASL team doesn’t wind up in Jacksonville, the city would have professional soccer for the asking anyway.” Miller was interested in expanding the ASL into Jacksonville, hoping the Tea Men did not take that spot. However, to Miller’s dismay, the NASL was getting serious about moving the Tea Men to the coastal city of Jacksonville.¹¹

Jacksonville finally received the news they had been eagerly anticipating; the New England Tea Men were officially moving to Jacksonville! Jeff Rude wrote in the sports column in the Jacksonville Journal on November 18^th, 1980, “the New England Tea Men of the North American Soccer League will relocate in Jacksonville.”¹² Among coaches, teammates, friends and families, there were mixed feelings concerning the upcoming move from Foxborough, Massachusetts to Jacksonville, Florida. However, everyone was aware of the opportunities this move provided for both the Tea Men and the city of Jacksonville. Derek Carroll, team president, was recorded saying, “with great gladness, but also a degree of sadness because we’re leaving some great people and friends in the Boston area.” This heartfelt statement reflected the bittersweet nature of their transition. Although it was necessary for business to continue, the team was sad to leave behind the fans who were sad to see them go. Yet, they were ready to embrace the next stage of their soccer career.¹³ Upon arrival in Jacksonville, the Tea Men would “play both NASL indoor and outdoor seasons in Jacksonville.” Jacksonville’s mayor, Jake Godbold, announced the Tea Men’s arrival as the “first step to becoming a major league city,” and he was right.¹⁴

Four years after the Tea Men became Jacksonville’s first professional sports team, the city was eager to expand its role in the sports industry. Despite initial excitement, Jacksonville did not have a fanbase that was large and passionate enough to sustain a professional soccer team. Financial woes from low attendance and fragile leagues, such as the American Soccer League and United Soccer League, led to the Tea Men’s demise in 1984. By then, the city’s attention turned to American football and the Jacksonville Bulls who emerged as a new contender in the United States Football League (USFL). When they joined the league, the team sought a name that would “capture the spirit of Florida’s largest city – Jacksonville!” Eventually, they decided on the name “Bulls,” a choice that symbolized the strength and power associated with both the city and its residents. USFL fans resembled the tenacity and hard-nosed attitude of the Bulls. This especially resonated with those in Jacksonville, the drive to never give up no matter the situation, during both games and practices. The Bulls quickly became a source of pride for the community, reflecting the city’s aspirations to be recognized in the competitive world of professional sports. Not only did the Jacksonville Bulls represented the strength and power of Jacksonville, but the name also paid “homage to both Florida culture and American pride.” Although they only lasted two years, their success on the field, including a strong showing in both of their seasons, solidified the Bulls’ legacy as a significant part of Jacksonville’s sports history, contributing to the city’s growing identity as a hub for professional athletics.¹⁵

After the Bulls played their last season, Jacksonville was still determined to stay in the professional sports industry. The Jacksonville Sports and Entertainment Commission (JSEC) oversaw finding a new team. They explored various methods and participated in conferences and meetings, determined to make a significant impact on the current industry. They were going big; Jacksonville wanted a team from the National Football League. In 1993, the JSEC’s efforts paid off; Jacksonville became home to a new NFL team, the Jacksonville Jaguars. The city was hopeful that the arrival of the Jaguars would boost the city’s self-esteem and appeal. Michael Sullivan, Jacksonville Sports Development Authority (JSDA) executive director commented that “our charge is to enhance the quality of life through sporting entertainment within the greater Jacksonville area.” The Jacksonville Jaguars not only aimed to enhance the city’s standing in the sports world but also galvanize population and economic growth.¹⁶

Due to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Gator Bowl was rebuilt into the multimillion-dollar Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, renamed the Alltel Stadium shortly later. This new stadium “has been a boom for the local economy,” resulting in overwhelming support for the new football team. This boom not only helped Jacksonville financially but also brought citizens together. The Jacksonville Jaguars gave the city a public face, an identity to be proud of. In 1996, the Jags made it to the playoffs, putting Jacksonville on television screens across the United States. “The publicity and promotion of Jacksonville has been worth millions of dollars… the exposure garnered by Jacksonville has been immeasurable” was Sullivan’s response to the Jaguars’ success. As Jacksonville embraced its identity as a sports city, the benefits extended beyond the field, enhancing the overall quality of life and positioning Jacksonville as a vibrant destination for both sports enthusiasts and prospective newcomers.¹⁷

The triumphant story of the Jacksonville Jaguars begins not in 1993, though, but in 1980 when the city was chosen as the new home of the Tea Men. The soccer team’s arrival not only provided Jacksonville with its first successful taste of professional athletics but also planted the seeds for professional football. The Jacksonville Bulls and Jaguars will forever owe a debt of gratitude to their less illustrious but important predecessor. Thanks to the Tea Men, Jacksonville has continued to develop a robust sports culture that fosters community pride and unity. The lasting impact of these teams underscores the vital role professional sports play in enhancing the quality of life for Jacksonville residents. As the city continues to embrace its sports legacy, it is clear that Jacksonville would not be where it is today without the humble beginnings of the Jacksonville Tea Men.

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