Sporting JAX bolsters front office with top hires

Sporting Club Jacksonville, the United Soccer League’s Northeast Florida expansion franchise, has announced a wave of high-profile front office hires as the club ramps up its inaugural USL Super League season this August at UNF’s Hodges Stadium. The club continues to expand with 10 new team additions, including sports industry veterans Bob Ohrablo and Marshall Happer, who bring decades of combined professional sports and business operations experience to Sporting JAX.

Ohrablo joins as an adviser to Sporting JAX President and CEO Steve Livingstone, bringing a track record of success and innovation in professional sports. A founding partner behind the rise of the Jacksonville Icemen, he played a pivotal role in reestablishing ice hockey on the First Coast, leading the team to record-breaking attendance, multiple playoff runs and successful franchise expansions, including the Savannah Ghost Pirates, hailed as one of the most impactful debuts in ECHL history.

With more than 40 years of experience in sports marketing and management across major U.S. markets, Ohrablo will also foster corporate partnership development as Sporting JAX continues to build its premier soccer club.

Happer, appointed as the club’s head of operations, is a seasoned executive with 30 years of experience across the NFL, XFL, NASL and FCF and will oversee all matchday and event logistics. He brings operational excellence shaped by senior roles with Frankfurt Galaxy (NFL Europe), Jacksonville Armada and, most recently, as vice president of sports operations with Fan Controlled Football.

“We are building more than a team — we are laying a foundation for a lasting legacy in Jacksonville,” said Livingstone. “Bringing in top-tier professionals like Bob and Marshall, along with key leadership roles and support teams will ensure we have the experience, talent and vision to position our club as a powerhouse in the USL, and will provide a first-class experience for our fans across Northeast Florida and beyond.”

Also joining the leadership ranks:

• John Keitzer, a local executive with global and entrepreneurial leadership experience, as EVP of business management

• Vincent Buzzy, formerly with Top Golf and the Houston Texans, as manager of partnerships

• Anthony Ortiz, a dynamic retail expert from JD Sports, as manager of merchandise

Additionally, the club is expanding its ticketing sales and media teams:

• Alex Halloran (Duke Athletics, Jacksonville Jaguars), Brendan Keith (Houston Texans) and Harrison Pearle (PGA Tour) join the ticket sales and service team

• Riley Platt (UNF and FanSided) joins as fan engagement coordinator to elevate fan experiences

• Emerson Burris, (Razorback Sports Network, SEC Network, Fox Sports and Sporting KC) joins as team reporter and digital producer, will appear on the club’s broadcasting platforms, lead content creation for social media channels and serve as the sideline reporter for locally aired matches

The continued front office expansion follows recent announcements of high-profile additions to the club, including Steve Fell as director of performance, Stacey Balaam as the USL Super League team’s first head coach and Mark Warburton as sporting director and head of soccer.

Season tickets for the USL Super League inaugural season are on sale now at www.sportingjax.com/tickets or by calling 904-863-KICK.