The state of Florida is known for a lot of things, including being a tourist oasis. However, what tops this list is that it is an abode for some of the most accomplished sports teams in the United States and all the passionate fans supporting them.
Basketball, football, baseball, college teams, you name it. The Sunshine State boasts an array of exceptional teams and the perfect environment for every sports enthusiast to display their passion.
If you are looking for a team to look out for in any sport of your choice, grab your sneakers as we are about to take you on a trip to sports teams that will make every second spent on them worth it!
Inter Miami FC
Soccer enthusiast? Florida has something for you. Inter Miami, a relatively new team, has already made waves in Major League Soccer (MLS). Watching an Inter Miami CF game feels like witnessing the birth of a soccer legacy.
Inter Miami CF, co-owned by David Beckham, is determined to make a name for themselves in the league. Unsurprisingly, world-class players like Lionel Messi are already showing interest in the team. The team has been on a resurgence since signing the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Inter Miami has been a runaway truck and has, at the time of writing, won every game Messi has featured in. The team has been unstoppable and has witnessed palpable success within a short period.
From Lionel Messi being the star player of the Nashville – Inter Miami match, where the latter won the League’s Cup, to Inter Milan’s dramatic comeback against Cincinnati to win the U.S. Open Cup semi-final, we can’t help but anticipate what the team has in store for us.
Currently, fans are most eagerly looking forward to the finals on September 27. Miami is likely to win against rivals Houston Dynamo FC, based on both teams’ recent performances.
Miami Heat
Another Florida team to watch out for is the Miami Heat, one of the highfliers in basketball. With a history decorated with three NBA championships, this team has a knack for pushing the limits and making its fans proud.
Remember the “Big Three” era? The trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh took the team to new heights. While this lineup may have changed over the years, the team’s commitment to excellence remains the same.
What makes the Heat worthy to look out for is their unwavering determination season after season. This high-flying team was, in their overachieving characteristic fashion, won the Eastern Conference final in the 2022-23 season, besting the Boston Celtics only to fall short of an NBA finals victory to the Denver Nuggets.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Next up is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a force to be reckoned with in the NFL. What makes the Buccaneers worth watching is their ability to defy the odds. Tom Brady’s presence in the team marked a turning point, and together with other exceptional players, he led the team to the famous Super Bowl LV victory.
However, with Tom Brady gone, most odds have predicted a bottom-five position for the team this season. But not if Tristan Wirfs, Lavonte David, and Chris Godwin can take it, all with a point to prove that the Buccaneers remain the same with or without Tom Brady, as all three players made it to the CBS Top 100 NFL Players list for 2023.
Call their bluff, or is it the real deal? We would soon find out as the Buccaneers faced the Vikings, the Bears, and the Eagles in the opening games of the NFL season.
Florida Gators
With the vigor of college football, a solid fan base who like to refer to themselves as “the Gator Nation,” and a history that includes three national championships and eight SEC titles, the Gators’ games are always a spectacle nobody wants to miss. Of course, there are plenty of other NCAA teams based out of Florida, which you can learn more about here, but the Gators are the ones to watch this season.
If you need another reason to look forward to the Florida Gators in 2023, then the new rules should convince you. Built to shorten games, we expect this to play into the Gators’ strengths this season.
Miami Marlins
Baseball lovers? We’ve got you. The Florida Marlins, now known as the Miami Marlins, are a must-watch in 2023. While last season finished with quite an underwhelming performance, the Marlins have started on a high note with their impressive performance in the first half of the season.
This is quite a shocker as only a few people foresaw the team’s chances to compete in the National League East. Moving from a 23.6% chance of making the postseason to a 67.6% chance after the win at Fenway Park is quite a fantastic comeback. Whether it will get better for the Miami Marlins from here? Only time will tell.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning, aka the Bolts, joined the NHL in the 80s as part of an initiative to expand the league. They are the number one ice hockey team in the states with the most fans and compete as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The team has had much success but is still hungry for more.
They have lifted the Stanley Cup three times (in the 2004, 2020, and 2021 seasons) and made it to the finals in the 2015 and 2022 seasons.
The Bolts have shown unyielding resolve to continue in their winning ways with the signing of 31-year-old Winger Austin Watson from the Ottawa Senators. His eye for goal and solid physical presence might make this formidable team nearly unstoppable — one to watch.
