Don Garber ‘frustrated’ by ongoing Inter Miami stadium delays

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https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/don-garber-frustrated-by-ongoing-inter-miami-stadium-delays/

Don Garber ‘frustrated’ by ongoing Inter Miami stadium delays

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber has admitted he is “disappointed” and “frustrated” in the ongoing delays to Inter Miami’s stadium proposal, which is in real danger of being scrapped.

The expansion team, which is joining MLS in 2020, is looking to build a 25,000-seat venue as part of a $1bn development of Melreese Country Club, dubbed Miami Freedom Park.

Inter Miami, which includes David Beckham as a minority owner, is expected to play at least its first two seasons at a temporary facility in Fort Lauderdale. However the team could play at the venue for much longer or even permanently depending on votes of the Miami city commission this week.

On October 24, the commission will decide whether to cease negotiations on the lease with Miami Freedom Park LLC – the business entity attempting to develop the land on Inter Miami’s behalf – and open up development of the site to competitive bidding. Four of the five city commissioners have to approve the lease but two commissioners have made it clear they disapprove of the no-bid deal that was provisionally agreed.

“There have been continuous challenges in Miami, and it’s frustrating,” Garber told ESPN. “MLS has shown such a commitment to the City of Miami, and been so patient for so many years. We’ve done everything we said we would do. We found an unbelievable local owner in Jorge Mas and his partner Marcelo Claure. They’ve invested over $100m in a temporary facility, all based on the fact that there was public referendum that supported our path to signing a lease at the Melreese site.

“Now all of a sudden, there’s a bunch of folks that are backtracking on some of the commitments that were made. I find it frustrating and at times infuriating. It seems as if we’re getting caught up in a political mess that is not of our making. I’m very disappointed.”

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https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/lights/las-vegas-seeks-30th-mls-franchise-but-key-questions-remain-1876667/

Las Vegas seeks 30th MLS franchise, but key questions remain

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https://sbcamericas.com/2019/10/22/sacramento-awarded-penultimate-mls-expansion-franchise/

Sacramento awarded penultimate MLS expansion franchise

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https://madison.com/wsj/sports/soccer/peter-wilt-leaves-forward-madison-fc-managing-director-role-for/article_fa8f0a80-994c-5af1-b571-5e360e5ffd6b.html

PRO SOCCER

Peter Wilt leaves Forward Madison FC managing director role for job with USL

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http://www.egcitizen.com/sports/major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-to-sacramento/article_cf0768d6-f5e0-11e9-9349-4762dc236a91.html

Major League Soccer awards expansion team to Sacramento

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https://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/with-due-amici-college-park-adds-another-new-italian-restaurant-to-the-mix/Content?oid=26183285

With Due Amici, College Park adds another new Italian restaurant to the mix

Due Amici, the Ybor City pizza and pasta stalwart, made headlines in late 2016 when owner Genti Bunjaku – an avid Trump supporter – created a garish victory pie embellished with gold leaf shaped into a "T" and – try not to cackle – Russian caviar. Now the Albanian-born restaurateur is expanding his reach by opening an outpost in College Park and, I'll admit, the pizza is a winner. If there's one thing we've learned from the oaf in office, it's that winners aren't losers – they're winners! And further feeding College Park's insatiable appetite for Italian food? Well, now you're really winning. After all, there are no less than five Italian restaurants along Edgewater Drive, three – Trevi Pasta, Armando's and Adriatico – within mere feet of Due Amici. And you thought tacos were taking over the neighborhood.

They're winning the patio game, too. Kingfish Grill, the space's predecessor, expanded the outdoor footprint, but Due Amici came along and put an awning over it. They strung up lights, added some plants, gave the wall a paint job and made it look as welcoming as ... oh, I don't know ... let's just go with an impeachment inquiry. It's a fine spot (if you don't mind the occasional earsplitting siren) to enjoy the al fresco delights of the autumn season. And pizza.

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https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/food/2019/10/23/a-guide-to-tampa-bay-food-and-drink-events-this-weekend/

A guide to Tampa Bay food and drink events this weekend

Cooters Crab Fest and stone crab weekend at Frenchy’s and Palm Pavilion, plus Il Ritorno’s Midnight Chef Fight comes to a close and Pair O’ Dice Brewing turns 6.

Cooters Crab Fest will return to the Clearwater Beach restaurant and bar for its 26th year on Thursday. [Courtesy of Cooters]

STAY CRACKIN’: COOTERS CRAB FEST

The 26th annual Cooters Crab Fest welcomes the start of Florida stone crab season with a family-friendly four-day smorgasbord featuring stone crab claws as well as...

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https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/food/2019/10/23/new-ybor-city-restaurant-barterhouse-will-focus-on-sustainability/

New Ybor City restaurant Barterhouse will focus on sustainability

Look forward to approachable, elevated dishes and bold drinks served in a speakeasy setting.

Barterhouse, which will debut in Tampa this month, has modeled its relaxed-meets-refined speakeasy atmosphere after 1920s-’50s Ybor City. [Courtesy of Barterhouse]

TAMPA — Barterhouse, the modern American restaurant that grew from popup dinners around Tampa Bay and in Charleston, S.C., is close to opening on the west side of Ybor City.

Originally dubbed the...

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https://www.wtsp.com/article/entertainment/television/great-day-tb/spookyyborfun/67-e3b2201e-6b77-43ee-a9a7-54d755fb55dd

Spooky Fun in Ybor City

Kendall and Java will serve as ecmees for this year's Annual Fantasma Fest in Ybor.

The Annual Fantasma Fest kicks off this Saturday in Ybor City! Families are invited to come out and enjoy a Pumpkin Patch, Bed Race, Legend of the Pumpkin King Parade and much more. Kendall and Java will serve as ecmees for this year's festivities. For a full list of Fantasma fest events and times

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https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/2019/10/23/top-halloween-parties-this-weekend-oct-24-27/

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Top Halloween parties this weekend Oct. 24-27

The last weekend before Halloween has some big costume contests and a Thriller mob scene, plus lots of trick-or-treating this weekend.

Thrill St. Pete's 2018 version of its zombie dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" took place at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. There's a "Thriller" mob planned there and at Ferg's this week. [MARTHA ASENCIO RHINE | Tampa Bay Times]

Now that we are in the last weekend before Halloween, some of the biggest parties are coming up this weekend, including Entourage star Jeremy Piven hosting a big party at the Godfrey Hotel and a Thril...

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https://hoodline.com/2019/10/tampa-to-host-a-variety-of-halloween-events-this-week

Tampa to host a variety of Halloween events this week

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https://www.sounderatheart.com/2019/10/23/20927696/major-link-soccer-nwsl-expanding-to-louisville

Major Link Soccer: NWSL expanding to Louisville

Dest’s decision coming soon, and problematic fans in England and Brazil

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http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/nwsl-louisville-expansion-franchise-2021-lynn-family-stadium

NWSL adds Louisville expansion franchise for 2021

Women’s soccer team will share Lynn Family Stadium with USL affiliate.

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https://www.sounderatheart.com/2019/10/23/20927696/major-link-soccer-nwsl-expanding-to-louisville

Major Link Soccer: NWSL expanding to Louisville

Dest’s decision coming soon, and problematic fans in England and Brazil

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https://krod.com/el-paso-locomotive-ranks-tenth-in-usl-attendance/

El Paso Locomotive Ranks Tenth In USL Attendance

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https://www.india.com/photos/sports/david-beckhams-mls-team-inter-miamis-usd-966m-freedom-park-stadium-plans-152568/miami-freedom-park-stadium-plans-152572/

David Beckham's MLS Team Inter Miami's USD 966m Freedom Park Stadium Plans

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https://en.as.com/en/2019/10/23/album/1571825702_327300.html

MLS

David Beckham's spectacular Miami Freedom Park

Miami Freedom Park Miami Freedom Park Miami Freedom Park Miami Freedom Park Miami Freedom Park Imágenes del Miami Freedom Park estadio del inter miami Miami Freedom Park Miami Freedom Park Miami Freedom Park

Inter Miami is coming to an MLS near you soon. And the ambitious project has unveiled images of its proposed new stadium where the future stars of the league will play.

PHOTO: INTER MIAMI CF

Inter Miami is coming to an MLS near you soon. And the ambitious project has unveiled images of its proposed new stadium where the future stars of the league will play.

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https://video.eurosport.com/football/david-beckham-s-inter-miami-stadium-plans-revealed_vid1254562/video.shtml

FOOTBALL

VIDEO - David Beckham's Inter Miami stadium plans revealed

David Beckham's new club released the latest iteration of its future home - Club Internacional de Futbol Miami, or Inter Miami, will begin playing next season in Major League Soccer.

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https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/five-pointer-beckham-new-miami-stadium-champions-league-nba-123348263.html

The Five Pointer: Beckham's new Miami stadium, Champions League, NBA returns

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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7601077/David-Beckhams-Inter-Miami-reveal-artists-impression-brand-new-stadium-ahead-2020-MLS-entry.html

'The future': David Beckham's Inter Miami reveal artist's plans for their brand new £750m stadium ahead of entering MLS next year... including a glitzy rooftop bar!

Inter Miami have teased ambitious plans of their brand new £750million stadium

David Beckham's new MLS side posted an exciting video on their Instagram page

The spectacular new stadium includes a rooftop bar and palm trees on the roof

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https://www.bbc.com/sport/av/football/50156563

Rooftop bar & palm trees - What Beckham's Inter Miami stadium could look like

From the section Football

David Beckham's MLS side Inter Miami have released the latest images of the club's new stadium which is set to be completed in 2022 and features its own rooftop bar and palm trees.

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https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/football/david-beckhams-inter-miami-fc-reveal-new-stadium/news-story/6ab6717ea2a1eb2f4795a4563bdc5ad6

FOOTBALL

David Beckham’s Inter Miami FC reveal new stadium

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https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2019/oct/23/david-beckham-inter-miami-unveil-966m-stadium-plans-video

David Beckham's Inter Miami unveil $966m stadium plans – video

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https://www.101greatgoals.com/videosfeeds/david-beckhams-inter-miami-unveil-966m-stadium-plans/

Home » Football feed videos » David Beckham's Inter Miami unveil $966m stadium plans

David Beckham's Inter Miami unveil $966m stadium plans

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https://www.90min.com/posts/6481901-inter-miami-fc-unveil-incredible-designs-for-new-750m-freedom-park-stadium

Inter Miami FC Unveil Incredible Designs for New £750m Freedom Park Stadium

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https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/english-super-league-nyc-team-andrew-johns-brad-fittler/f835a2f3-154f-46d8-ae8d-d0a36c823350

Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler back New York's bold rugby league bid

League legends Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler have thrown their support behind a rugby league team to be based in New York City to compete in the English Super League.

Officials of the NYC bid team are confident of being granted a place in the English Super League third tier and would more than likely follow the same path of the Toronto Wolfpack from the 2021 season.

NRL players at the end of their careers have already been sounded out over their possible interest in playing for the first ever professional rugby league team in the United States.

The NYC team would begin their Super League journey in the third-tier League One but with some former big names from the NRL, the club would be expected to gain a promotion into the second-tier RFL Championship in 2022 before an anticipated rise into the top-flight Super League by 2023.

Time for Kangaroos renewal: Cordner

Reports state members of the bid team have already compiled a list of NRL players they'd like to recruit, with the likes of Benji Marshall, Brett and Josh Morris brothers, Darius Boyd and Jesse Bromwich among several players that have been identified as potential targets.

Any player looking to make the leap to the US would have to keep in mind how the seven-hour flight from New York to London would impact their bodies, yet Nine commentator and rugby league Immortal Johns says most players would jump at the chance to play footy and live in a city like New York.

"Could you imagine finishing your career at 32, being single (and playing in New York)," Johns told Wide World of Sports' Freddy and the Eighth.

"In between that you'd be doing stints in the north of England or if you've got a young family go over there and live for two years and experience living in New York and still play footy. I think it's sensational.

Kangaroos v Kiwis: Test Match Preview

"There's lots of ex-pats in New York, who knows, you could build a real fan base there."

Fittler agreed with Johns' assessment and said players would be interested in living in the US and continuing their careers but the success of the club would depend on their strategy surrounding recruitment.

The Toronto Wolfpack are on the lookout for big-name signings following their promotion from the second-tier Championship and are keen on signing All Blacks star Sonny-Bill Williams.

The Wolfpack have spent big on players and wish to bring in a David Beckham-type player to do for the Wolfpack what the former Manchester United favourite did for LA Galaxy.

For the NYC team to hit the ground running, Fittler believes the US team would need to adopt the same approach.

"If the people in New York have heard their name and they're not from Australia, England or New Zealand and they've heard of Benji Marshall or Sonny-Bill," he said.

"I think it would be awesome it's the biggest town in the world if we can get a footprint in there it would be a great start."

The New York bid hasn't announced a logo but is in negotiations to lock down a home ground, with the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey touted as a possible destination. The stadium is already home to Major League Soccer franchise New York Red Bulls.

It's said bid officials are already in discussions with Virgin Atlantic and Hilton Hotels to form partnerships with the team.

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https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/2019/10/23/top-things-to-do-in-tampa-bay-this-weekend-oct-25-27/

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Top things to do in Tampa Bay this weekend: Oct. 25-27

Big Halloween parties, the second weekend of the Hillsborough County Fair, a rodeo and the return of the SPIFFS folk fair.

The Hillsborough County Fair, shown here in 2012, will continue in Dover with the popular demolition derby on Sunday. [Times (2012)]

HALLOWEEN: BIG PARTY WEEKEND

Since Halloween falls on a Thursday, this weekend is the big one for parties.

Emmy-winning Entourage star Jeremy Piven (who is also trailed by sexual misconduct...

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https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/norwich-city-transfer-rumours-aaron-hickey-1-6336887

Norwich City transfer rumours: Hearts left-back on the radar after first-team emergence

Former Blackpool trainee Caleb Richards has also spent the year in the USA, playing regularly in the second tier for Tampa Bay Rowdies. The 21-year-old is under contract until 2021 at Norwich, with the option for a further year.