AS USA reported Tuesday afternoon that Inter Miami CF owner David Beckham sold his stake in the club to partners Jorge and José Mas, agreeing to remain a “global face” for the club. Club representatives and the City of Miami went into overdrive to categorically deny the report.
One of the biggest holdups of the proposed Miami Freedom Park plan was The First Tee, housed at Miami International Links, Melreese Country Club. After nearly a year of struggle, it appears The First Tee will move to a new home, clearing one of the biggest obstacles for Miami Freedom Park and Inter Miami CF.
A Broward County judge ruled Thursday against a motion filed by FXE Futbol, LLC. This likely clears the way for Inter Miami CF to begin the demolition of Lockhart Stadium.
What would the Miami MLS saga be without yet another lawsuit? This time, FXE Futbol is getting in on the action.
FXE Futbol, LLC, the group that challenged Inter Miami CF for the right to redevelop Lockhart Stadium, has sued the City of Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beckham United, LLC (the holding organization behind Inter Miami). The lawsuit was first reported by the Miami Herald.
While the complaint discusses topics we have seen before, there is one wild twist that is being alleged. Perhaps the battle for Lockhart stadium isn’t quite over.
At first glance the complaint, filed by attorney David J. Winker, requests that the court review the Public-Private Partnership Process with regards to the Lockhart site and the city’s decision to award the project to Inter Miami.
“This is an action challenging the validity and effect of the frantic and, ultimately, statutorily inadequate, Public-Private Partnership Process undertaken pursuant to Fla. Stat. Sec. 255.065 by Defendant CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE”
FXE Futbol is seeking a writ of mandamus and civil action against not only the City of Fort Lauderdale but Miami Beckham United, citing damages of over $15,000. While this has been par for the course, this is the first time a competitor has filed a claim seeking to reverse the decision by a local government.
Asbestos questions
Where the petition really begins to get interesting is on line item 13. According to FXE Futbol, Inter Miami was spreading falsehoods regarding the level of asbestos present at Lockhart in its current state. FXE Futbol has outlined that Inter Miami was advising the city council that there was “a tremendous amount of asbestos present at the stadium” and therefore revitalization or renovation was not actually possible.
The complaint discusses how procedural violations were made by the City of Fort Lauderdale throughout the process, which is much like what we have seen argued and alleged against Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami. Due to this being the first complaint being filed by a competing interest, FXE Futbol is seeking monetary damages in the amount of “lost profits”.
With March 2020 coming closer with each passing day, Inter Miami cannot afford another lengthy court battle that stalls the process of acquiring permits, clearance, and the demolition of Lockhart stadium. With the timeline already being questioned by the public, if this judgement is granted in favor of the plaintiffs we could see a real snag in Inter Miami’s plans to open in 2020.
Author’s Note: Omar Moubayed is not an attorney and does not claim to be an active member of the Florida Bar Association. Any and all information in this news story is neither his legal opinion nor the legal opinion of Magic City Soccer.
Inter Miami CF has been thrown another curveball in the journey for a permanent home. Last week, Miami Beckham United, LLC (the ownership group that controls Inter Miami CF) decidedly beat out FXE Futbol to acquire the negotiating rights to reconstruct Lockhart Stadium in their image. As the focus begins to shift back into Miami-Dade County, Mas was confident during our conversations with him on Monday to secure a deal for the Melreese site. Just seven hours after that conversation, an appeal was filed by Miami-based attorney William Douglas Muir, seeking revision of the City of Miami’s ability to negotiate with Mas on a closed-bid deal for Miami Freedom Park.
Abel and Matt sit down with Inter Miami CF managing partner Jorge Mas to discuss Lockhart Stadium, Miami Freedom Park and much more. Join us, won’t you?
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Magic City Soccer editors Abel Iraola and Matthew Bunch sits down with Inter Miami CF managing partner Jorge Mas to discuss Lockhart Stadium, Miami Freedom Park and much more. Join us, won’t you?
Expect the live stream to start around 3 p.m.
On this episode of the Magic City Soccer podcast, Abel, Matt and Omar focus squarely on Inter Miami CF, after its win in front of the Fort Lauderdale city commission likely means it will play (at least) two years in Broward County. What does the future of the club look like from here? Join us, won’t you?
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The City of Fort Lauderdale unanimously voted Tuesday to proceed to negotiations with Miami Beckham United on its plan to renovate Lockhart Stadium.
After questioning and deliberation Tuesday afternoon, the City of Fort Lauderdale’s commission rated the Miami Beckham United bid over the FXE football, LLC bid.
Fort Lauderdale city commissioners are currently discussing plans proposed by FXE Futbol and Miami Beckham United for Lockhart Stadium. Watch the debate live!