JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 23, 2023) – JAXUSL, the United Soccer League (USL) franchise group bringing men’s and women’s professional soccer to Northeast Florida, has added veteran broadcaster Cole Pepper to its team.
Pepper will help lead negotiations with broadcast partners for the club, contribute to the club’s social and digital channels and help develop relationships with new sponsors as JAXUSL ramps up for the return of pro soccer, including the region’s first women’s pro team, to the First Coast. Pepper’s first appearance for the club comes this week as part of Mauricio’s Corner, a digital series featuring analysis of the current USL Championship season with Mauricio Ruiz.
JAXUSL President/CEO Steve Livingstone, said: “We’re truly delighted to welcome Cole into our growing organization. His considerable experience in business development and broadcasting will be a huge asset as we continue to grow our pro soccer clubs and media footprint on the First Coast.”
Pepper spent the past five years as the sports anchor on WJXT Channel 4/News4Jax where he covered all local sports, including serving as the play-by-play voice for the Bold City Showcase high school football games, the Gate River Run and co-host of The Mark Brunell Show.
Prior to joining WJXT full time in 2018, Pepper served as the Director of Broadcasting and play-by-play man for Jacksonville Armada FC. A 27-year veteran of the Northeast Florida sports media scene, Pepper spent 15 seasons on the Jacksonville Jaguars radio broadcast and handled television play-by-play for the Jacksonville Sharks (2013-2014) and radio play-by-play for Bolles football (2013-2017), Jacksonville University (2001-2006), Jacksonville Suns (1998-2000) and Jacksonville Tomcats (2000-2001). He also served as sports director at WOKV radio (2000-2009). Pepper initially came to Jacksonville to work for the start-up sports station, AM 600 The Ball (1996-2000).
Since moving from WJXT Channel 4, Pepper has launched the Running for Coverage podcast for and about Jacksonville-area runners and his sports commentary can be seen every week on Jacksonville Today (jaxtoday.org).
