When it comes to living in Florida, in-state sports fans, who may also be bettors on Gas 138, have some of the best options in the United States. Not only is the state host to literally dozens of professional, amateur, and rookie teams, but it’s also home to highly dedicated fans. Most are intergenerational, meaning they’re still rooting for the teams their parents, or even grandparents, cheered on.
In Boca Raton, many stick to the local NCAA teams, offering plenty of sports action year-round. Thanks to the expansion of sports betting throughout the country, more casual fans than ever before are sinking their teeth into new teams and leagues. With betting offers available on sites like OddsChecker which aggregate the best offers, it only takes a few clicks to get started.
Most sports fans will place their first wagers on their favorite teams, predicting things like the outright winner or, in more advanced cases, an over/under of the game’s final score. But some might uncover a new sport or league that suits their interests—especially in a state like Florida, which regularly hosts major sports events.
If you’re experiencing a newfound interest in sports, then let’s take a dive into some of the biggest stories from the state’s most popular teams, along with a few up-and-comers. First up, the NFL.
Season of the Big Cat Turnaround
The Kansas City Chiefs recently took home the Lombardi Trophy for the 2022-23 season. Still, NFL fans around the Jacksonville area are rallying around the Jaguars. Over the last few years, the team has struggled to post a winning regular season. In fact, they faced a huge debacle in signing head coach Urban Meyer from the NCAA—which quickly fell apart.
But new head coach Doug Pederson seemed to pull out all the stops last year. Though the team began with a dismal 4-8 record, they made it into the playoffs for the first time since 2017. And while they quickly exited the playoffs, it wasn’t before coming back from a 27-0 deficit to win 31-10 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Throw in a Heisman-caliber quarterback in Trevor Lawrence and there’s more hope in Jacksonville than there has been since the team was founded in 1993.
If you’ve found a way to avoid following the NFL, then it might be time to jump on the bandwagon. And if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Dolphins aren’t your cups of tea, then maybe you’re more of a big cat person.
Miami Grand Prix: Part II
Let’s jump farther south. Miami is renowned as one of the world’s most sports-centric cities. First and foremost, the weather bodes well for the athletic. Second, much of the city’s infrastructure has been centered around stadiums, arenas, and even race tracks. And it’s the latter that’s getting attention now.
Last year, Miami hosted its first Formula One Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome—and it’s set to continue on a ten-year contract. The inaugural event went off without a hitch last year. Max Verstappen of Red Bull took the title, but fellow star Lewis Hamilton put on a riveting performance. For fans of the auto sport, the racetrack itself presented an amazing challenge for drivers.
However, Formula One Grand Prix events are notorious for attracting huge crowds. Unsurprisingly, Miami became one of the top races of 2022 not just for its track and new thrills, but also for its fan culture and the success of the events surrounding the race. If you enjoy plenty of social fare with your sports, then pencil in the 2023 event, scheduled in early May.
Brady, the Buccs, & the Dolphins
Above, we discussed the recent rise of the Jaguars. However, despite the team’s hopeful future, most of the NFL coverage in the state remains focused on the Buccaneers and/or the Dolphins. Over the last few months, speculation has swirled regarding the Buccs’ latest loss: legendary quarterback Tom Brady, who retired once again.
But his second retirement, expected to hold, hasn’t prevented some NFL fans from breaking out their detective glasses. Some even believe Brady might try to make a comeback with the Dolphins. Like the Jaguars, the Dolphins are in the midst of a much-needed rebuild. And some believe that Brady’s decision to formally retire from the Buccs while on a beach in Miami might actually signal a move to the Dolphins.
While many chalk this up to conspiracy, and an unwillingness to let Brady go, there’s still time for the quarterback to renege on his retirement once again. If you’ve been keeping your fingers crossed that Brady comes back to the Buccs, it may be time to keep them crossed to ensure he doesn’t land on the Dolphins’ roster.
Inside Beckham’s Inter Miami
Way back in 2007, US soccer fans were stunned when David Beckham, one of England’s greatest sporting exports, signed a deal with the LA Galaxy. The move was surprising for a few reasons—primarily because North America’s MLS isn’t viewed as a competitive league. While that has certainly changed in the last few years, it’s still widely regarded as a retirement option for European stars like Beckham.
But Beckham had his eye on a grander idea. When he signed his contract with the Galaxy, it included a clause with the MLS that would see an expansion team end up in Beckham’s hands. Fast forward to 2019, and Beckham’s Inter Miami kicked off its inaugural season.
It’s been a rough start for Inter Miami. Their best placing in the league has been 4th in their conference. However, if you’re on the fence about whether to start rooting for an MLS team, Inter Miami is certainly the flashier side when compared to Florida’s neighboring Orlando City SC, founded in 2015.
In fact, fan culture for the team is considered one of the best in the US—in the MLS and beyond. Known as ‘La Familia’, they’re an inclusive group that creates an exciting atmosphere around each game. Though Miami is considered home to some of the laziest sports fans in the US (who aren’t likely to stick around unless a team is winning), that isn’t the case with Inter Miami.