Inter Miami CF managing owner Jorge Mas confirmed in a press conference Thursday that the team intends to play its first two Major League Soccer seasons at a stadium it would build at the current site of Lockhart Stadium.
Since the end of January, Inter Miami CF and FXE Futbol, LLC have vied in legal filings and public relations to build support for their proposed renovations of Lockhart Stadium. On Tuesday afternoon, the public finally had the opportunity to review the full proposals submitted by the groups to the City of Fort Lauderdale.
The City of Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday released the full proposals for Lockhart Stadium redevelopment offered by Inter Miami CF and FXE Futbol, LLC.
Saturday was a day of high honor for David Beckham. The legendary winger returned to Los Angeles, where the LA Galaxy unveiled a Beckham statue. It is the first statue of any Major League Soccer player by a MLS team. However, as always, at least a little bit of attention was dedicated to another MLS club(-to-be), Inter Miami CF.
Inter Miami CF and FXE Futbol, LLC released video renderings of their Lockhart Stadium renovation proposals Friday, just hours before a 5 p.m. deadline imposed by the City of Fort Lauderdale. The city’s commission will consider both proposals, as well as any others offered before the deadline.
Last month, Inter Miami CF scored a youth soccer coup when it announced the hiring of Juan Carlos Michia and Victor Pastora, formerly of Weston FC, to lead the team’s youth academy. On Friday, the club added to the ranks, poaching Javier Morales from FC Dallas’ U-13s side.
FXE Futbol, LLC has a sell to make in the next few weeks. The ownership group needs to convince the City of Fort Lauderdale and its commissioners that its plan for soccer at Lockhart Stadium is better than one proposed by Inter Miami CF. Before closing the deal with the city, however, the group attepted to close the deal with fans and supporters of soccer in Broward County on Wednesday night.
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission voted unanimously Tuesday evening to begin accepting proposals for the renovation of Lockhart Stadium and Fort Lauderdale Stadium. These proposals will include Inter Miami CF’s plan for its youth academy and USL team, as well as an independent USL bid revealed on Monday.
The resolution will start a 21-day window in which proposals could be submitted to the city. It is unknown whether other proposals will be submitted.
Per city rules, the 21-day window will start once the request for proposals is published in the South Florida Sun Sentinel and the Florida Administrative Register.
To watch video of the commission meeting, click above.
Nothing in Miami is ever easy. And getting their way in Fort Lauderdale just got even harder for Miami Beckham United.
On Monday, South Florida Sun-Sentinel reporter Brittany Wallman revealed on Twitter that a second party is competing for the Lockhart Stadium site in Fort Lauderdale. The site is the same one Inter Miami intend to use as the base for their academy and training facility.
Jason Kreis, the former Major League Soccer most valuable player and a former manager for Real Salt Lake, New York City FC and Orlando City SC, will head upstairs and join Inter Miami CF as a consultant to the team’s technical department, headed by sporting director Paul McDonough.