Thoughts on Beckham deal with City with no UM involvement (for now)

I've had a little over 24 hours to digest what this tentative deal means here. Here's my take:

Marcelo Claure comment to Doug Hanks of the Miami Herald yesterday: “Obviously we are in conversations with the University of Miami, but we figured we are running out of time,. “MLS has been very clear: if we are going to bring soccer to Miami, it needs to be now.”

Translation: Beckham and his people couldn't wait until after 9/1 when Julio Frenk takes over as new President of UM. However, the opening is still there if you want to join down the line. 

UM isn't in the deal "at this time". That's not to say they won't be down the line. There's 17 years left in that least at Sun Life and I find it hard to believe that UM couldn't find an out in that lease, which I'm sure they could have. When they talk about getting out of the Sun Life lease being costly, its to the tune of $50 Millon. Given UM's history of being tight-fisted with the money, I don't believe the BOT would have the stomach to pay Stephen Ross (Miami Dolphins Owner) that kind of jack to get out of that lease. 

Granted, the renovations at Sun Life will help in the short term, but you have to wonder if Frenk has the same thinking Donna did and eventually wanting out of Sun Life to join Beckham in Little Havana down the road. To expand to 40K (45K for big games like UF, FSU, ND, etc), could easily be done. What Cam Underwood (follow him on Twitter at @UnderwoodSports) said in his piece on State of the U (its a good read by the way) was absolutely correct and I agree with this totally. If UM ultimately decides down the line to join Beckham, they need to pony up the dollars needed to get those extra 15-20K seats in there.  Housing UM also would move Beckham’s 25,000-seat soccer stadium to about 40,000 seats, complicating the budget and design logistics.

According to Barry Jackson piece in Miami Herald on 7/18/15, his MLS source said that Beckham’s group would like UM to contribute toward construction costs, which Underwood mentions in that State of the U piece. Jackson's source said Beckham’s group has never made a specific financial request to UM or even given UM any specific proposal for a 40,000-seat stadium. There's still some time to get in for UM, but now, with Beckham's announcement yesterday, the ball is clearly in UM's court to get this done once Frenk officially takes over as UM president on 9/1. 

One idea was suggested by Jackson in that same Herald piece on 7/18/15, and I tend to like this idea more and more here. He mentioned that the stadium could have 25K to start for MLS use, but ultimately when, not if, UM bolts Sun Life to return home to Little Havana, it'll expand to 40-45K. I have to believe this will be the likely scenario for UM's ultimate exit out of the Sun Life and return home to Little Havana. 

Another factor in play here is Adidas, which, btw, has the new jersey party this evening at LIV. You have to wonder does Adidas, which will have a big say on this matter, want UM to ultimately go back to Little Havana and move in with Beckham. 

Frenk has some friends in high places, namely Carlos Slim, the Mexican Billionaire, and one of the richest men in the world. You wonder if Slim will cut Ross a check to help UM out of the Sun Life lease. 

Here's what Blake said about the whole thing in the Herald: “It’s an exciting day for soccer fans in the South Florida area. I congratulate them on moving forward, With that said, we are in a contract with Sun Life Stadium and are excited to open our season there on Sept. 5, in many ways in a brand new stadium that will enhance our fan experience.”

He adds, when asked by Jackson, if UM will consider joining Beckham in Little Havana down the road: “I will always keep all  options open, My preference is for the University of Miami to have the best home for football and right now that is Sun Life Stadium.”

Translation: We're happy where we are now, but I won't close the door on possibly coming back to our roots in Little Havana, if Beckham and MLS gives us 40K over there, we'll seriously consider making this happen. 

In closing, there's still a lot of moving parts to this story, and we'll have to see how this plays out after Frenk takes office in the Ashe Building on 9/1. Its going to be very interesting to see what happens here with this whole Stadium situation. 

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article27488947.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article27488947.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article27488947.html#storylink=cpyUM not being at the table. The private college has 17 years left in its lease with the Miami Dolphin at Sun Life Stadium, and breaking that deal would be costly. Housing UM also would move Beckham’s 25,000-seat soccer stadium to about 40,000 seats, complicating the budget and design logistics.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article27488947.html#storylink=cpy

My thoughts on proposed new Beckham/UM Joint Stadium

My take last February on this topic

Much has changed since then. 

1. There's a new President in Julio Frenk, who takes over on 9/1 from Donna. 
2. The Sun Life renovations
3. More urgency to get this done before Donna leaves on June 1. 
4. A few sites have been eliminated except for two: Marlins Park site, and the one by the airport. 

The one UM would favor the most is the site by Marlins Park. The question is would Beckham and MLS feel the same way? Mayor Carlos A Gimenez said "Time is running out." You know the urgency is there from the City/County to get this done. 

UM doesn't favor the Overtown or the Bertam Yacht site by the Airport, but they would consider it if the deal was right. 

On the Marlins Park site, there are two areas Beckham/MLS/UM are considering. 

• The first site is west of Marlins Park, on three city-owned parcels currently used as green space and parking lots and on six privately owned residential and office properties. Taken together, the land along Northwest 17th Avenue amounts to nearly 10 acres. However, according to Barry Jackson in the Herald in February 2014, a county official told him back then that this site would be unlikely. Fast forward to today, this area becomes more and more likely that if UM joins Beckham in the stadium, this would be the area they would go with here. 
• The second site, on 19 acres of county-owned land northeast of the ballpark on the shores of the Miami River, appears far less feasible. There’s a public-housing facility for the elderly on the property. No shot this site happens.

WHY THE SITE BY MARLINS PARK COULD WORK:

• In a word: parking. 
• If you remember the days of the OB, then you realize that renting out parking spaces on a temporary basis works. 
• There are four garages next to the ballpark already. 
• Mass Transit: The city also has a free-of-charge trolley line that loops in riders. This is key for those that would rely on Mass Transit, especially for day games from Broward and Palm Beach. Close to Campus as well. 

Map A is from UM to the Marlins Park site: 

Map B is from West Palm Beach to the Marlins Park Site:

Map C is from Fort Lauderdale to the Marlins Park Site:

WHY THE SITE BY MARLINS PARK MIGHT NOT

• For the first site, Beckham and his crew would have to deal with the city, but much has changed between Feb 2014 and now, and if you remember how they treated UM and the way the Marlins deal went down to evict UM from that site, its been a big problem and still is and even now still rankles the UM faithful. 
• Although Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado said back then that no one has contacted him about that the site, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez just said on Joe Rose's show this morning, "It has to happen now.... We can't wait too long."
• For the second site, the issue here as it was back in February 2014 like it is now, is that Miami-Dade County would have to relocate the King High Towers housing complex which comprises two 14-story high-rises. According to Gregg Fortner, director of the county’s public housing and community development department, he said through a spokeswoman that there is “no possibility” of public-housing property being used for a soccer stadium. Pretty much that second site is dead in the water here. 
• Another issue is that the Marlins, an MLS soccer team, and UM would also have to deal with scheduling challenges, given that their seasons overlap — though MLS plays far fewer matches, UM plays 7-8 home games a year. The conflicts would be mainly in September, when the Marlins wind down and UM starts up.
• Lack of Mass Transit back to Broward and Palm Beach for Night Games.

BETRAM YACHT SITE BY MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Map A: From UM to this site

Map B: From West Palm Beach to this site

Map C: From Fort Lauderdale to this site

WHY THE BETRAM YACHT SITE BY MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT COULD WORK:

• Mass Transit: Tri-Rail (From Broward and Palm Beach) and MetroRail has direct service to Miami International Airport, which would be within walking distance of the site. Close to Campus as well. Easy access to the Airport/Hotels: If fans want to fly in, they could do that. You could have boaters/water taxis/ferries have an option along the waterway (think Tennessee and Washington).
• Easy access to Major roads: You have the 95, the 112, the Dolphin, the Palmetto very close by. 

WHY THE BETRAM YACHT SITE BY MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WON'T WORK:

• Parking: Lack of Parking in the area. One would have to go to a large mall then take a shuttle bus to the Stadium. How much stadium parking would be available for tailgating? Highly doubt that Miami Central Station would be sufficient for Gameday parking/tailgating, especially for big games such as FSU/ND, etc. 
• MIA Traffic: On a good day, traffic to and from the airport is high, but add 40K (45K for big games like ND or FSU), and that could be a big time issue. 
• Lack of Mass Transit back to Broward and Palm Beach after Night games: Where Tri-Rail and MetroRail has direct service to Miami International Airport, and would be within walking distance of the site, the problem becomes getting back to Broward and Palm Beach following night games. 

OVERTOWN by MIAMI WORLD CENTER SITE

Map A: From UM to Overtown (by Miami World Center)

Map B is from West Palm Beach to Overtown (by Miami World Center)

Map C is from Fort Lauderdale to Overtown (by Miami World Center)

WHY THE OVERTOWN (MIAMI WORLD CENTER AREA) SITE COULD WORK:

• Development of MIami World Center: Miami World Center's people just broke ground late last year on the Retail portion of the project. This is Phase 1, which will be done by the end of Next year. Would be a good landmark for fans to get to the stadium. 
• Close to major areas: Bayside, AAA, Port of Miami, etc. 
• Mass Transit: All Aboard Florida is coming for those CANES coming from the Orlando area, they would be able to come straight into Miami for the game (Starting in 2017). Stadium within walking distance.
• Tri-Rail coming from Broward and Palm Beach to MetroRail Transfer station. 
• MetroRail has direct service to the site and then walking distance from there. 
• Easy access to Major roads: You have the 95, 395, the Dolphin, Biscayne Blvd. very close by. 

WHY THE OVERTOWN (MIAMI WORLD CENTER AREA) WON'T WORK:

• Parking: Lack of Parking in the area, like with the site by the Airport. Miami World Center has 3,000 spaces now, and 7,000+ when its all said and done. Also, parking by AAA would be an issue, especially when there are events that overlap (i.e., Heat games) The question is how many of those would be available for UM games, especially big games like FSU, and would tailgating be allowed in the parking garages if spaces are available? 
• Traffic: Think AAA for Heat games, but on a bigger scale. but add 40K (45K for big games like ND or FSU), and that could be a big time issue especially on Biscayne Blvd. 
• Lack of Mass Transit back to Broward and Palm Beach and in this case, points North (i.e, Orlando) after Night games: Where Tri-Rail and MetroRail has direct service to Miami International Airport, and would be within walking distance of the site, the problem becomes getting back to Broward and Palm Beach following night games. Another question would be would All Aboard Florida have Special trains going back to Orlando after night games? Organizers need to get that addressed. 

As Mayor Gimenez said this morning on Joe Rose's show, time is running out to get this done. 

My take on the Six sites Beckham Group has identified for New Stadium

Last week, David Beckham and his group ID'ed 6 sites. Yesterday, Barry Jackson in the Herald pointed out that UM and the Beckham group had talks, that are in their infancy right now. The idea is to have 40K for a new stadium. Beckham wants a marquee tenant to join him in his stadium and what bigger marquee name is there than UM Football.

That said, these are the Sites that were mentioned last week in the Herald and what it could mean for UM Football:

PORT OF MIAMI - This has been the main area of the Beckham Group. 

WHY IT COULD WORK: 

• Beckham has some heavy hitters in play here, which include:
• Simon Fuller, who is Beckham’s longtime business partner
• Marcelo Claure, the Miami-based billionaire who heads a global wireless distributor. 
• They believe this site could work here. 
• This is owned by Miami-Dade county. so all that would have to be done here is sign a land deal once, instead of going through hoop after hoop. It’s very close to Biscayne Boulevard (via a Walking bridge), and has access to parking and the Metromover. 
• Not to mention the views of Downtown Miami is second to none. 
• They could build a mega-yacht marina that would have lots of restaurants and shops, which planners, have thought about for this site. 
• A landscaped pedestrian bridge to Dodge Island, and the location could become a gathering place, according to Carlos Gimenez in the Herald.

Close to UM Campus 

WHY IT MIGHT NOT:

• Currently proposed is an existing seaport master plan which promises commercial development. Included in that plan are:
• Offices
• Hotel 
• From a port perspective, Badly-needed revenue would be coming in. A lease for a stadium that could have MLS and UM, would not be able to match it. 
• Critics have said that the proposed pedestrian bridge would probably have a grade of some sort — making the walk to the stadium more of a hike — and be challenging in the summer heat and humidity and especially when UM begins their season in September.
• According to Beckham, he believes that a seaport location would not be able to compete with the Miami Heat for sports fans or concert bookings. However, if you listen to the some of the politicos in Miami-Dade, they have said that the issue of gridlock would happen when both the AAA and the new stadium, are hosting events (whether it be MLS or UM Football). 
• This would be the case when Heat open their season in November and UM has a game there as well. The big nightmare would be for the FSU game. 
• If you take what, the Chairperson of the Miami-Dade County Commission Rebeca Sosa says, then it carries a lot of weight. Her issue is the fact that she doesn't want tamp the growth of the Port. You have to remember as well, the tunnel that was forced on the taxpayers, only to have a stadium bring more cars in. This would be especially true for UM Football, and especially for the FSU game. She also wants the commissioners for the public's input (i.e. with a vote on any deal there). And she has suggested commissioners could ask for a public vote on any deal. Sosa said to a Spanish-language radio station two weeks ago: “I firmly believe the port is not an ideal location,  It’s going to bring more headaches.”
• Here's something to remember here: Even though that slice of land is owned by Miami-Dade, Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado points out that it once deeded a portion of the seaport to Miami-Dade. A restriction in the deed requires the land to be used for port purposes. Otherwise, it’s possible it could revert to the city. 
• Lack of Mass Transit back to Broward and Palm Beach for Night Games. 

To me, right there, there are a couple of non-starters right there for UM with this site. 

BY MARLINS PARK

There are two locations near Marlins Park that have been discussed here. 

• The first site is west of Marlins Park, on three city-owned parcels currently used as green space and parking lots and on six privately owned residential and office properties. Taken together, the land along Northwest 17th Avenue amounts to nearly 10 acres. However, according to Jackson in the Herald, a county official told him that this site would be unlikely. 
• The second site, on 19 acres of county-owned land northeast of the ballpark on the shores of the Miami River, appears far less feasible. There’s a public-housing facility for the elderly on the property. No shot this site happens either

WHY THEY COULD WORK:

• In a word: parking. 
• If you remember the days of the OB, then you realize that renting out parking spaces on a temporary basis works. 
• There are four garages next to the ballpark already. 
• Mass Transit: The city also has a free-of-charge trolley line that loops in riders. This is key for those that would rely on Mass Transit, especially for day games from Broward and Palm Beach. Close to Campus as well. 

Map A is from UM to the Marlins Park site: 

Map B is from West Palm Beach to the Marlins Park Site:

Map C is from Fort Lauderdale to the Marlins Park Site:

WHY THEY MIGHT NOT

• For the first site, Beckham and his crew would have to deal with the city, and if you remember how they treated UM and the way the Marlins deal went down to evict UM from that site, its been a big problem even to this day and still rankles the UM faithful even today. 
• Although Regalado said that no one has contacted him about that the site, and added that he would only consider it “if we have a referendum, and only if we can sell the land at market rate.” (“ Ese perro nos mordió ya,” he added in Spanish — literally, “that dog bit us already,” or been there, done that.) - Translation, no chance the stadium goes here on this site at all. 
• For the second site, the issue here is that Miami-Dade County would have to relocate the King High Towers housing complex which comprises two 14-story high-rises. According to Gregg Fortner, director of the county’s public housing and community development department, he said through a spokeswoman that there is “no possibility” of public-housing property being used for a soccer stadium. 
• The main problem with both these sites is that would have to deal with the same issues that haunt the Marlins, whose ballpark has had problems attracting fans as well as businesses to the neighborhood. The idea for the park was to be the engine for redevelopment and that has not happened as of yet. 
• Another issue is that the Marlins, an MLS soccer team, and UM would also have to deal with scheduling challenges, given that their seasons overlap — though MLS plays far fewer matches, UM plays 7-8 home games a year. The conflicts would be mainly in September, when the Marlins wind down and UM starts up.
• Lack of Mass Transit back to Broward and Palm Beach for Night Games. 

NEAR SCHOOL BOARD

Now, something of note here: The School Board owns a nearly two-acre parcel north of its downtown headquarters, which it uses as a parking lot, as well as several other small parcels nearby. This could be beneficial here. 

WHY IT COULD WORK: 

• It’s downtown
• There are a couple of Metromover stops in that area

• Close to 395. Those that drive from Broward and Palm Beach could get to this place easily
• Map A: West Palm Beach to this site

• Map B: Fort Lauderdale to this site

• Possible spots for Tailgating. 

WHY IT MIGHT NOT

• That parking-lot parcel the School board owns by itself won't cut it for a stadium. Beckham and his ground would have to gobble up a couple of privately owned properties — that would take too long for Beckham’s contract option to be exercised. Also, it would be too long for UM as well, if Beckham really wants UM as he says. 
• Who knows if the School Board even wants to talk with Beckham’s group and/or UM officials. They weren't too happy with the snub two weeks to Beckham's big announcement. As School board Chairwoman Perla Tabares Hantman said at a School Board meeting the next day. “I think they totally disrespected the board, And if we don’t demand respect, we’ll never get it.” 

That to me says, this site is pretty DOA. 

WYNWOOD

This is an interesting area to watch here. Beckham's group have identified about 12 acres on Northwest 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue that once comprised the Wynwood Foreign Trade Zone, a boondoggle economic development project that never got off the ground. However, with Beckham and the possibility of adding UM Football, there's some possibilities here. 

WHY IT COULD WORK:

• Two properties that have a single private owner, New York entrepreneur Moishe Mana.
• one 8 1/2 acres
• the other about 3 acres 
• On these sites, you have warehouses. 
• These warehouses served as TV and film production studios. 
• Miami-Dade County owns an additional acre or so of adjacent land.
• What it means is that any deal cuts out Miami-Dade. That would make Beckham, his group, and UM look like heroes from a political point of view. 
• Close to Campus (20 minutes)

• Easy to get to from Broward and Palm Beach
• Map A: West Palm Beach to this site:

• Map B: Fort Lauderdale to this site:

WHY IT MIGHT NOT:

• The site is not near any public transit and that's a big deal for Beckham, who said that he wants a site close to Mass Transit. Too long a walk. Nearest station on Metrorail is Santa Clara. 
• From Broward and Palm Beach, you would have to take Tri-Rail to Opa-Locka and then a bus from Opa-Locka Tri-Rail to NW 20th Street and NW 5th Place and walk 8 minutes to the site. 
• No service back to Broward and Palm Beach late Saturday Night. 
• For Beckham's group, they would have to pay more to get a lot of private land at the market rate.
• Once that's done, they would have to build a garage for parking. 
• Beckham's group will go with one or the other, but not both.  

What it means for UM, there are positives and negatives to this site. Though, if Beckham wants Mass Transit close by, then this is a no-go. This is a site to watch here. 

BY MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (East of Miami Central Station)

Former Miami Mayor and current County Commissioner Xavier Suarez asked Beckham’s group a while back to take a look at an 8 1/2-acre site belonging to the DOT and other private owners east of the Miami Intermodal Center (Miami Central Station), which is Miami International Airport’s car-rental and mass-transit hub.

WHY IT COULD WORK:

• It’s a central location with a neighboring Metrorail stop.
• Easy to get to by Mass Transit from Broward and Palm Beach (Noon and 3:30 pm kickoffs)
• Quick drive from UM to the site (20 minutes)
• Easy drive from Broward and Palm Beach. 

WHY IT MIGHT NOT:

• Suarez went with John Alschuler, the New York developer working for Beckham’s group, to the site. They both came to the conclusion that without the closure of a portion of NW 37th Avenue in that area, that stadium would not fit.
• Beckham and his group would have to fork over $80 million, just for a parking garage. According to Suarez, that would be in addition to buying the private property.
• Long trip from UM via Metrorail to Miami Central Station. 
• No mass transit back to Broward and Palm Beach from here after Night games. 

On this site, it could work for UM, but not for Beckham and his group. As close as this site is, at the end of the day, its a no go for this site. 

The way I see it. Of these sites, the best one with the most realistic shot for both Beckham and UM is the Wynwood site. Your takes. 

Here's the link to the article: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/02/09/3920167/david-beckham-investors-have-identified.html

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/02/09/3920167/david-beckham-investors-have-identified.html#storylink=cpy

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My take on Beckham's new stadium in Miami and what it means for UM

The following is per the Herald on the new MLS Stadium in Miami and my take on it

The following is from Alyce Robertson, chief executive of Miami’s Downtown Development Authority, who said and I quote in reference to a stadium at the Port of Miami:

“If we think in a traditional manner, then there’s going to be some challenges on the transportation,” This was in reference to the cars that people are used to taking in for games. Robertson added that you can walk and take the Metromover to Heat games. 

The questions on whether UM should get in with Beckham on sharing a new stadium are these:

1. Gameday Traffic - Now, picture Game Day vs FSU, and you have 45-50K fans for a Noon game. You have a potential for a nightmare as some on Twitter have mentioned already, especially the Saturday Morning cruise ship arrivals at the Port of Miami. If I'm Donna, one of the questions I'm asking myself: "Is it worth it? "
2. Parking - According to the City officials, "limited parking" could be built underground, like the AAA. Another question, UM officials would have to ask here: How much more parking space would be available? How much parking would be set aside for Hurricane Club donors? Would tailgating be allowed at the lots? If you believe Deputy Mayor Chip Iglesias,  he says that "some fans could park in the same Biscayne Boulevard lots they use for Heat games and then walk over the bridge to the port." 
3. Capacity - Now Iglesias thinks that 25 acres could be available, enough for a 25,000-seat stadium with expandable seating for various events. My thinking on the various events would be yes, that stadium could be expanded for UM football, if we join in with Beckham and his group. The question, I would be asking if I were Donna is how much expansion could work at the new stadium? I would believe 35K for UM football?, with expansion to 45-50K for big games like FSU. Also, he says that there would be a  mega-yacht marina and perhaps a waterfront promenade. Another question would have to be asked here too. How much boat parking would be available on gameday?
4. Mass Transit - I'll go back to Alyce Robertson's quote and believe that for this to work, Tri-Rail needs to have more trains for Night games in the new stadium going back to Broward and Palm Beach. This has to be an effort with BCT and Palm Tran in order for this to happen. MDT can make this work without question. 

If I'm Donna, those are a few things I would be asking Beckham and his group if I'm going to have UM join in. 

You can read the story in its entirely:  http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/11/26/3780446/beckham-group-consider-soccer.html#storylink=cpy

Feel free to chime in on this. What are your thoughts? Should we (CANES), join Beckham in his new stadium?