Donovan McNabb and the State of Football
Inter Miami CF is on its way to a new downtown stadium after a key Miami City Commission vote.
The commission approved a 99-year lease for the land currently occupied by the Melreese golf course in a 4-1 vote — clearing the path for the MLS club owned by Jorge Mas and David Beckham to build a 25,000-seat stadium and a new development area, Miami Freedom Park.
The development will include a 58-acre public park, public soccer fields, a 31.4-acre retail area, office space, and 750 hotel rooms.
- Mas said the team aims to complete the project by March 2025, in time for that year’s MLS season.
- Thursday’s negotiations raised the rent floor for the land to $4.3 million annually from $3.57 million. The city will order two additional land-value appraisals that could push the rent higher.
- The two sides agreed on a provision that provides the city 5-6% of the area’s gross revenue, with the exact figure determined by how that figure compares to the rent floor.
Miami Freedom Park still has to pass certain procedural hurdles, such as rezoning the golf course land, and may face lawsuits.
Hurricane Watch
On the suggestion of city commission member Joe Carollo, the team will also look into making the new stadium home to the University of Miami’s football team.
The Hurricanes are under contract to play at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, home to the Miami Dolphins and next week’s Formula 1 race, through 2033.
