Shutts & Bowen to represent city in Beckham soccer stadium transaction

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https://communitynewspapers.com/biscayne-bay/shutts-bowen-to-represent-city-in-beckham-soccer-stadium-transaction/

Shutts & Bowen to represent city in Beckham soccer stadium transaction

Pictiured (l-r) are Shutts partners Alexander I. Tachmes, Angela de Cespedes, Marc Sarnoff and Florentino “Tino” Gonzalez.

Shutts & Bowen LLP has announced that the City of Miami has selected the law firm to act as its outside real estate counsel on a proposed transaction for the development of a soccer stadium and mixed-use project to be located on 73 acres of city land.

The proposed stadium complex would be named Freedom Park and would be the future home of David Beckham’s Major League Soccer (MLS) team, Inter Miami CF.

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https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-ne-beckham-soccer-fort-lauderdale-20190710-w7gm3ct3hnbgfispluuwhaaqly-story.html

David Beckham scores soccer stadium deal in Fort Lauderdale

Inter Miami CF owner David Beckham laughs during a press conference at Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill on Sunday, June 2, 2019.

Soccer legend David Beckham won an agreement from Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday night that virtually assures his Major League Soccer team a new stadium in time for the start of the season.

City commissioners unanimously embraced plans to transform the defunct Lockhart Stadium, off Commercial Boulevard and Northwest 12th Avenue, into a professional soccer center.

Beckham’s ultimate goal is to build his team’s home stadium in Miami, and to use the planned Fort Lauderdale stadium as a training hub for cultivating soccer talent. But for at least the first two seasons, starting next March, Beckham’s new Major League Soccer team, Inter Miami CF, will play in Fort Lauderdale.

“This is a really a wonderful turning point in our community,” Mayor Dean Trantalis said. “Congratulations. We’ll be there for the first kick.”

The 18,000-seat Fort Lauderdale stadium and the 25,000-seat Miami stadium would be about an hour apart, by car.

For the public in Fort Lauderdale, the transformation will include sports fields, a city park and a home football field for two high schools — Fort Lauderdale and Stranahan — that currently have none.

City officials said very little Tuesday, and Beckham and his business partners were not present.

Beckham, 44, is one of the best-known former professional soccer players in America. Born in England, he is married to Victoria Beckham, known as “Posh Spice” when she was a member of the pop band Spice Girls. They have four children.

The other owners are successful businessmen: Jorge and Jose Mas, chairman and CEO, respectively, of MasTec engineering and construction company; billionaire businessman Masayoshi Son, founder and executive chairman of SoftBank; and Marcelo Claure, co-founder of Brightstar Corp. and chief operating officer for SoftBank.

Already, Lockhart Stadium and the adjacent Fort Lauderdale Stadium have been demolished.

The name of the new sports stadium hasn’t been announced.

Commissioner Heather Moraitis said she supports retaining the “Lockhart” name, after former city commissioner H. Y. “Doug” Lockhart. The decision rests on Miami Beckham United, though.

The agreement approved Tuesday says the group can name any portion of the Inter Miami site, including the stadium, without the city’s consent, “provided such name shall not be in bad taste or offensive to the city’s image, or in the reasonable opinion of the City Commission is a source of embarrassment to the Fort Lauderdale community.”

Under the terms of the deal, no money changes hands. In return for use of the property for 50 years, Beckham United will construct sports fields, a trail, playground, and park space on the southern portion of the property, for the community.

The city intends to use some of its $200 million parks bond, approved by voters in November, to enhance the new city park there.

Other terms of the deal:

FOOD, DRINKS: The Inter Miami group can operate concessions, including any restaurant, sports bar or tavern.

COMMUNITY: At least 24 days a year, local high schools will have access to Inter Miami’s turf field for high school football or soccer events. In addition, four days a year, the city can use Inter Miami’s stadium for football, soccer, JROTC, band concerts or other community events.

SPELLING: The agreement says that “Miami Beckham shall endeavor in good faith not to abbreviate the word ‘Fort’ in city’s name in any written promotional materials.”

MONEY: Miami Beckham United will pay the estimated $60 million to construct all improvements. After that, the group will pay to operate and maintain just the Inter Miami portion, which includes a stadium and a 50,000 square foot training facility with locker rooms, weight rooms, classrooms, and dining facilities.

DEADLINE: All the work is to be completed within three years, but if it’s not, the city’s only recourse is to take over construction of the public portion, and bill it to Miami Beckham United.
The group’s progress toward a stadium in Miami has been plodding. But in Fort Lauderdale, even with the appearance of a feisty soccer rival, the Beckham deal came together in just six months.

Miami voters in November agreed the city should negotiate with Beckham and Mas toward a 99-year lease at Melreese Country Club, just east of Miami International Airport.

In other action, Fort Lauderdale commissioners:

SEWAGE: Were briefed on a sewage spill Monday that led the city to issue a no-swim advisory for the Rio Mary Rita Canal, in an “overabundance of prudence and caution.” City officials said an 18-inch sewer force main leaked. It’s on a priority list for replacement but is not funded in the next five years, the city manager said.

PUBLIC ART: Discussed adoption of a public art law, but were advised by the city attorney that in the eyes of the courts, requiring developers to pay for public art is tantamount to a property “taking” and not permissible. City Commissioner Steve Glassman suggested the city promote the idea of voluntary public art installations.

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https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/after-fire-miami-dolphins-and-stephen-ross-help-edison-high-football-team-11212637

Miami Dolphins Help Save Miami Edison Senior High's Football Season

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Loria, the previous owner of the Miami Marlins, sold the team for $1.2 billion and didn't give anything back to Miami-Dade for building Marlins Park for him. Current Marlins owner Derek Jeter traded away all of the team's best players and is running a minor-league operation. Then there's international soccer star David Beckham and his business partners, who got a free stadium in Fort Lauderdale and want free land in Miami for another stadium. They are whoring themselves to every lobbyist in the city to get the golf course at Melreese Country Club.

Sure, Miami-Dade pays the Dolphins a $5 million subsidy, but Ross has delivered his end of the bargain by bringing the Super Bowl in 2020, attracting international soccer matches, and reestablishing the Miami Open as one of the premier tennis tournaments in the world. It was failing in Key Biscayne, where residents were fed up with all the traffic the tournament created. The new setup at Hard Rock Stadium rivals that of the U.S. Open, according to tennis experts. Plus, the stadium is the single largest taxpayer in Miami Gardens, paying approximately $7 million a year, roughly $2 million more than Ross was paying before upgrading the stadium.

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https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-rugby-usa-armitage/armitage-joins-legion-in-move-to-major-league-rugby-idUKKCN1U42MY

Armitage joins Legion in move to Major League Rugby

“Steffon is a world-class player who has proven himself to be one of the greats in the European club game,” said Legion head coach Rob Hoadley. “His talent and leadership will be a perfect addition to the Legion organization.”

More and more ageing top players are looking at the new North American league in much the same way that David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and other top Europeans in the later stages of their careers have looked to Major League Soccer.

Rugby United New York earlier announced the signing of French international Mathieu Bastareaud who will join former England fullback Ben Foden, capped 34 times for his country, in the Big Apple next season.

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https://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20190709/chicago-fire-leaving-seatgeek-stadium-in-bridgeview

Chicago Fire leaving SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview

The Chicago Fire announced Tuesday it will no longer play games at SeatGeek Stadium in Southwest suburban Bridgeview, its home since 2006. courtesy of Chicago Fire Soccer Club

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https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/new-england-revolution/new-england-revolution-in-final-negotiations-with-gustavo-bou-according-to-sources/

New England Revolution in final negotiations with Gustavo Bou, according to sources

The Revolution expect to be busy with the opening of the Secondary Transfer Window Tuesday.

The New England Revolution is set to add a new dimension to its attack by signing Argentine striker Gustavo Bou.

Bou, 29, is in final negotiations to join the Revolution from Mexico’s Tijuana, two sources told Pro Soccer USA.

Mexican media has said the deal is for four years and worth upwards of $10 million, though one of the sources told Pro Soccer USA the figure could be subject to change based on how the Revolution structure the final years of Bou’s contract.

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https://fox17.com/sports/nashville-sc/season-tickets-now-on-sale-for-nashville-scs-first-mls-season

Season tickets now on sale for Nashville SC's first MLS season

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https://journalrecord.com/2019/07/09/sports-biz-stakeholder-power-varies-among-sports-leagues/

Sports Biz: Stakeholder power varies among sports leagues

Major League Soccer power resides in the league office. MLS is a joint venture of all the teams, managed by the front office at MLS. The soccer players in MLS make the smallest salaries by far compared to the other leagues. However, this has helped the league overall as franchise agreements, meaning buying new franchise rights, have increased from $5 million in the early 2000s to $200 million recently.

So, leagues continue to flourish. To predict the future of the leagues and teams, look at which stakeholder has the power.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/cbaj12/christmas_in_july_come_support_my_little_sisters/

https://imgur.com/1oGcXSq

Christmas in July! Come support my little sister's non-profit at of our next home match!

This is our second time teaming up with the Rowdies for this toy drive! Just bring a new, unopened toy donation before the game and you will receive discounted tickets to the match on Aug 24th as well as a chance to win a Pro Experience before that match!

If you would like some further background about her, here is the link to the organization's Facebook page! Thank you taking the time to read this and COYR!

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/07/09/captain-morgan-becomes-mlss-exclusive-spirits-partner-through-2022

Captain Morgan becomes MLS's exclusive spirits partner through 2022

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https://stpetersburgfoodies.com/podcast/interview-with-christophe-guillot-chad-dropik-from-bacchus-st-pete-st-petersburg-foodies-podcast-episode-45/

Interview with Christophe Guillot & Chad Dropik from Bacchus St. Pete – St. Petersburg Foodies Podcast Episode 45

Interview with Christophe Guillot & Chad Dropik from Bacchus St. Pete

Welcome to the St. Petersburg Foodies Podcast Episode 45! Our featured interview today is with Christophe Guillot & Chad Dropik from Bacchus St. Pete in downtown St. Petersburg. Both of these guys have traveled the world, been in the military, and worked at several restaurants before opening their new European Gourmet market and eatery in downtown St. Pete. Our musical guest is Rebekah Pulley. We will feature the song, "Whiskey", and talk food while Rebekah answers The Fast Five Foodies Questions.

The St. Petersburg Foodies Podcast features interviews with chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, bartenders, and more, and covers the burgeoning food scene in St. Petersburg, Florida. Episodes air every Tuesday.

This episode of the St. Petersburg Foodies Podcast is brought to you by The Brass Bowl Kitchen & Juicery, Club Savor, Buya Ramen, and Engine No. 9. Please keep them in mind the next time you are hungry for some fantastic food.

Our announcer is Candice Aviles from Meet the Chef and Channel 10 News. Our theme music is provided by The Chris Walker Band.

Links:

Bacchus St. Pete Website

Bacchus Downtown St Petersburg FL Restaurant Review

Rebekah Pulley Website