Who Plays In Florida? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Buccaneers

The franchise name of the team was chosen by a fan-vote contest and paid respect to Tampa's long history with the Gasparilla pirate invasion celebrated yearly. Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a member of the National Football Conference of the NFL and started play in 1976 as an expansion team.

In their first year season they finished with 0-14 W-L record. This became 0-26 as they did not win their first NFL match until week 13. Their first Super Bowl appearance came in the 2002 season: they beat Oakland Raiders 48-21 in Super Bowl XXXVII (Jan. 2003).

Answer: Marlins

The Miami Marlins were originally called the Florida Marlins when they started play in 1993 as an expansion team. They changed their name in 2012. They are a member of the National League East along with teams like the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. Marlins was the original team name for three different minor league teams that played in Miami between 1956 and 1988.

Answer: Magic

When you think of Orlando, Florida, you can't help and think about Disney World. The most magical place on earth was honored when the National Basketball Associated granted a franchise to Orlando. Owner Pat Williams chose the final name, Orlando Magic, after a fan vote.

The Magic were the first professional franchise of any sport in Orlando. The central Florida city wasn't the first choice, many suggested there were bigger markets in Tampa and Miami but Orlando started play in 1989.

Answer: Panthers

Florida's state animal is the Florida panther and this was honored when the National Hockey League granted a franchise to Miami in 1993. They originally played in Miami but moved to Sunrise, Florida in 1988. The Panthers won Stanley Cup titles in back to back seasons, 2023-24 and 2024-25. The Florida Panthers are the southernmost team in the NHL.

Answer: Herons

The full name of the Major League Soccer team in Miami is the Club Internacional de Futbol or Inter Miami FC. The team's nickname is The Herons. They play in the Eastern Conference of MLS and soccer legend, David Beckman, was a co-owner when the franchise began in 2018. The team gained international fame when they signed Argentinian soccer legend Lionel Messi in 2023.

Answer: Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars joined the National Football League in 1995 along with the Carolina Panthers. The city was granted rights to the NFL franchise in 1993. A fan vote was taken to choose the team name and options like "The Stingrays" and "The Sharks" were chosen that honored the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.

But they went with the Jacksonville Jaguars as at the time, the Jacksonville Zoo was home to the oldest living jaguar in North America.

Answer: Rays

In 1988, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays joined Major League Baseball. Vince Naimoli tried for years to get teams with low attendance including the Montreal Expos and Minnesota Twins to move to Tampa, Florida. But after all attempts failed, they put in their application for an expansion team and began play in 1998 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

In 2008, the Devil Rays dropped the "Devil" from their name and became the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays name symbolized the bright sun rays and there is an actual manta ray pool at the stadium.

Answer: Heat

In 1998, four teams were granted National Basketball Association franchises: Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, and Minnesota Timberwolves. The team's colors are red, black,and yellow and have been one of the stronger NBA franchises. The Miami Heat won three NBA championships between 2006 and 2013.

The Miami Heat name was chosen for Florida's year round hot weather. The name "Miami Vice" was considered but not chosen as it may have confused some with the hit television show.

Answer: Pride

The National Women's Soccer League has had a team in Orlando since the 2016 season. In 2024, the team won the NWSL championship. The Orlando Pride share ownership with the men's Major League Soccer team in Orlando, the Orlando City SC. The men's team is known as the Lions so the female team chose the name Orlando Pride for solidarity in the Orlando franchises.

Answer: Lightning

Tampa Bay is considered "the lightning capital of the world" although some would argue it's actually just the "lightning capital of North America". Either way, the central Florida city gets a lot of rain and lightning. This moniker was chosen for the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team who were awarded a National Hockey League franchise and started play in 1992 as an expansion team. Fans like to call their team the "Tampa Bay Bolts".