KIN Partners will be the exclusive sponsorship sales representation agency.
Miami, FL (Tuesday, February 5, 2019) by Kenneth Russo –
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami (“Inter Miami CF”) continues to make impressive steps in its development, now with slightly more than one year before it kicks off play in North America’s Major League Soccer.
The club announced on February 1, 2019, that it has entered into a contract with the London-based firm, which is headed up by industry veterans Simon Oliveira and Matthew Kay, KIN recently expanded into Miami and Oliveira, the Managing Director of KIN, has previously worked on Beckham’s other business projects. Among KIN’s roster of international clients is Neymar, Jr.
KIN’s role will be to identify and develop sponsorship opportunities for the expansion club.
“Miami is recognised as a global city with a mix of wonderful cultures and we cannot wait to start working with both the vastly impressive ownership group and one of the most exciting properties in world sports today,” said Matthew Kay.
The announcement comes within days afterInter Miami put forward plans to build a training facility, including a multi-purpose stadium, on the site of the Lockhart Stadium, previously used by the now defunct North American Soccer League’s (NASL) Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
Given the transformational aspect of Miami Freedom Park, partnering with an international agency appears to be a smart move. Interest in Inter Miami CF has been high, and the home of the team, in addition to a 25,000 seat stadium, a public park and public soccer fields, will feature hotel, entertainment and retail space as well as a technology hub. It is a US$1 billion complex that will create thousands of jobs and generate millions of dollars in tax revenue to the city, county, state and school board.
Third supporters’ group emerges in the most bizarre fashion.
In a pure sign of increasing enthusiasm and interest in the run up to Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami’s (Inter Miami CF) inaugural season in 2020, the community of supporters’ groups has now grown to three.
This after several members of the original supporters’ group Southern Legion / La Legion del Sur, split away from the established organisation to form a new one. It appears that this new splinter group is also furthering confusion amongst Miami soccer fans by alleging that they in fact are the Southern Legion, rather than calling themselves a newly formed group. A press release to this effect was even issued on the new group’s website. The group, calling themselves the Siege, reportedly has assumed control over the real Southern Legion’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, renaming those accounts to reflect the branding of the new group.
The logo of Southern Legion / Legion del Sur
A look at the Southern Legion twitter account suggests that the breakaway group was the result of collusion between at least two Legion members.
On Friday, the Board of Directors of the real Southern Legion / Legion del Sur, took to Twitter to defend the group’s brand and clear up the confusion:
What we do know is that Southern Legion / Legion del Sur traces its origins to 2008, around the time the mighty FC Barcelona was looking to enter into a partnership to bring a Barça branded club to MLS in Miami.
Ever since then, the Legion, as they are called for short, has been a driving force to increase awareness and support for soccer in Miami, and an MLS club in Vice City, in particular.
They have been seen at events including soccer matches, lower division team games, political rallies and countless city and county hearings. Their scarves and shirts have traveled the globe.
So instrumental was the Legion to the efforts of David Beckham, Marcelo Claure, and new investors Jorge and Jose Mas to finally land Inter Miami, that they were given preferred seating at the official announcement of the team back in January 29, 2018 and were singled out by Marcelo Claure in his speech that day at the Knight Concert Hall.
Marcelo Claure at the official unveiling of Fútbol Miami MLS on January 29. 2018.
While details are scarce, it seems readily apparent that some inner circle members of Southern Legion felt that a name change and brand was a way to stake a claim to being the “official” supporters group for Inter Miami CF. As the months went by after the official birth of the team, a second supporters’ group, Vice City 1896, emerged. With two strong groups in place, any notion that there would be only one supporters’ group, let alone an “official” one, was neither realistic nor practical. In such an environment, there should be intrinsic value in having an established brand.
What can be confirmed at present is that Inter Miami CF now has three supporters’ groups. And Southern Legion / Legion del Sur is definitely one of them:
Of course, having multiple supporters’ groups is anything but a bad sign. Within Major League Soccer, most, if not all of the clubs, have more than one such group. It is also common place in Europe and South America. In a place as diverse as Miami, multiple groups only seems natural. The next step will be to harness this passion into creating an unparalleled game day atmosphere.
Miami, FL (4a feira, 23 do janeiro 2019) – Kenneth Russo –
Seguindo o modelo adotado do Premier League, a Major League Soccer anunciou em 23 de outubro de 2018 que irá liberar os times para fecharem patrocínios de manga para a temporada 2020. Essa medida visa incrementar as receitas das equipes que disputam a liga.
Os potenciais novos acordos deverão variar entre US$ 500 mil e US$ 1 milhão por temporada. Para efeito comparativo, os gigantes da elite inglesa possuem acordos que variam de US$ 13 milhões e US$ 26 milhões (£ 10 milhões a £ 15 milhões).
“O patch de manga é uma excelente oportunidade para as marcas se conectarem à nossa Liga e aos clubes de formas mutuamente benéficas”, disse Gary Stevenson, Presidente e Diretor Administrativo da MLS Business Ventures. “À medida que a nossa Liga continua a se expandir e com mais fãs nos EUA e no Canadá assistindo a nossos jogos, participando de nossos jogos e interagindo com mídias sociais, a visibilidade os patrocinadores de mangas será substancial.”
Today, Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami (“Inter Miami CF”) announced the hiring of two local youth coaches with many accolades, Juan Carlos Michia and Victor Pastora, as the first two Inter Miami Academy Coaches.
“We welcome Juan Carlos and Victor to the Inter Miami family with open arms.” Said Paul McDonough, the club’s Sporting Director. “Juan Carlos and Victor will play a fundamental role in establishing the most important legacy pillar for the club: our Academy. A place where local talent can continue to develop their game at no cost and one day perhaps fulfill their dream of representing our community wearing the Inter Miami colors.”
Juan Carlos Michia
Juan Carlos Michia arrives this summer at Inter Miami CF at the conclusion of his current season with Weston Football Club.
His resume includes 3 years as the head coach of the U-12 team at Weston FC. His career in the youth and professional ranks, both as player and coach, expands more than 30 years and includes highlights such as the Under 20 FIFA World Cup in Argentina in 2003. He played with Quilmes AC of the Argentine first division for 3 years, in two seasons (1979, 1980) in the original NASL with the Houston Hurricane, plus several years in the MISL. He has dual USA-Argentina citizenship.
“I’m looking forward to building a new platform that compliments the existing system for local talent to develop in their own region,” said Michia. “As a player and as a coach, there is nothing better than being able to perform in front of your own community with the dream of becoming a professional player with your own local club.”
Víctor Pastora
Victor Pastora has been developing talent at the youth levels for more than 19 years, most recently as the Technical Director for Weston FC Academy. In the past 3 years, the development programs designed and implemented by Victor and his staff, have provided the opportunity for over 18 local players to be promoted into top professional clubs both in MLS and internationally. His programs have also constantly provided South Florida players to the U.S. Youth National Team programs as well as other Concacaf Federations.
“It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to continue working with the South Florida player in a fully funded program with a direct pathway to professional soccer. I have great belief in the talent and character of the South Florida players, Inter Miami CF will provide the resources and support necessary to build a world class academy,” said Victor Pastora. “I’m thankful for the opportunity and look forward to the responsibility of building and representing this franchise.”
———————
Miami, FL (17 de enero, 2019) – por MLS Comunicaciones (editado)
¡Pronto empieza La Academia!
El Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami anunció el día de hoy que dos destacados entrenadores locales Juan Carlos Michia y Victor Pastora, se han unido al club como los dos primeros entrenadores de la Academia del Inter Miami.
“Damos la bienvenida con los brazos abiertos a Juan Carlos y a Victor a la familia del Inter Miami” dijo Paul McDonough, director deportivo del equipo. “Juan Carlos y Victor desempeñarán un papel fundamental en establecer el principal pilar de legado de nuestro club: nuestra Academia. Un lugar donde el talento local puede seguir desarrollando su juego sin costo alguno, hasta cumplir un día su sueño de representar a nuestra comunidad vistiendo los colores del Inter Miami.”
Juan Carlos Michia se sumará al Inter Miami CF este verano, acabando la temporada actual como entrenador del equipo Sub 12 del Weston FC, dónde se ha desempeñado los últimos 3 años.
Su trayectoria profesional en equipos juveniles y profesionales, como entrenador y como jugador, se remonta a más de 30 años e incluye logros como la participación en la Copa Mundial Sub 20 de la FIFA, Argentina en 2003. Jugó 3 años con Quilmes de la primera división argentina, 2 temporadas con los Houston Hurricane de la NASL original en 1979 y 1980, y algunos años en el MISL.
“Espero con mucha emoción el poder unirme a este proyecto y crear una nueva plataforma para seguir desarrollando el talento local en nuestra comunidad”, dijo Juan Carlos Michia. “Como jugador y como entrenador, no hay nada más satisfactorio que poder jugar frente a tu propio publico soñando en debutar como profesional con tu equipo local”.
Victor Pastora, quién cuenta con mas de 19 años de carrera, ocupó recientemente el cargo de Director Técnico de la Academia de Weston FC. En los últimos 3 años, los programas de desarrollo creados e implementados por Victor y su equipo de trabajo le han brindado a más de 18 jugadores locales oportunidades en clubes profesionales en la MLS y a nivel internacional. Sus programas también han aportado una gran cantidad de jugadores del sur de la Florida a los programas de selección nacional juveniles de la Federación de los Estados Unidos y otras Federaciones en Concacaf.
“Es un privilegio tener la oportunidad de continuar trabajando con los jugadores del Sur de la Florida en un programa totalmente financiado que da acceso directo al fútbol profesional. Creo firmemente en el talento y carácter de los jugadores del área y encantado de que en el Inter Miami les podremos proporcionar los recursos adicionales y el apoyo necesarios para crear una academia de nivel mundial” dijo Victor Pastora. “Estoy muy agradecido por esta oportunidad y por la responsabilidad depositada en mí representando a esta franquicia”.
—————–
O Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami anunciou hoje que dois excelentes treinadores locais, Juan Carlos Michia e Victor Pastora, se juntaram ao clube como os dois primeiros treinadores da Academia do Inter Miami.
O que eles disseram:
“Estou ansioso para construir uma nova plataforma que complemente o sistema existente, permitindo que os talentos locais cresçam em sua própria região”, disse Juan Carlos Michia. “Como jogador e treinador, não há nada melhor do que ter a oportunidade de jogar na frente da sua própria comunidade com o sonho de se tornar um jogador profissional no seu clube local.”
“É um privilégio ter a oportunidade de continuar trabalhando com jogadores do Sul da Flórida em um programa totalmente financiado que dá acesso direto ao futebol profissional. Acredito firmemente no talento e no caráter dos jogadores na área e estou muito contente com o fato de que, na Inter Miami, podemos fornecer a eles os recursos e o apoio necessários para criar uma academia de classe mundial “, disse Victor Pastora. “Estou muito grato por esta oportunidade e pela responsabilidade que me foi atribuída ao representar esta franquia.”
—————–
Le Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami a annoncé aujourd’hui que deux entraîneurs locaux exceptionnels, Juan Carlos Michia et Victor Pastora, ont rejoint le club en tant que les deux premiers entraîneurs de la Académie d’Inter Miami.
Qu’est-ce qu’ils ont dit:
«Je suis impatient de construire une nouvelle plate-forme qui complète le système existant en permettant aux talents locaux de se développer dans leur propre région», a déclaré Juan Carlos Michia. “En tant que joueur et en tant qu’entraîneur, il n’y a rien de mieux que d’avoir l’occasion de jouer devant votre propre communauté avec le rêve de devenir un joueur professionnel avec votre club local.»
“C’est un privilège de pouvoir continuer à travailler avec des joueurs du sud de la Floride sur un programme entièrement financé qui donne un accès direct au football professionnel. Je crois fermement au talent et au caractère des joueurs de la région et je suis très heureux du fait que, à Inter Miami, nous pouvons leur fournir les ressources et le soutien dont ils ont besoin pour créer une académie de calibre mondial “, a déclaré Victor Pastora. “Je suis très reconnaissant pour cette opportunité et pour la responsabilité qui m’a été assignée de représenter cette franchise.”
Miami, FL (Wednesday, January 16, 2019) by Kenneth Russo –
Miami Freedom Park. “Let The People Decide.” After much debate, the people of Miami were allowed to decide. They voted on November 6, 2018, and the people said, “Let’s do this.” And now, the next phase of making the dream a reality took another step forward. The will of the people will prevail.
It’s coming.
As reported today in the Miami Herald by Joey Flechas, Jose Arrojo, executive director of the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust, confirmed that the lobbyists involved in the soccer stadium deal had fulfilled their registration requirement. Miami City Attorney Victoria Mendez was officially informed by the county ethics commission Wednesday morning, via a letter advising her that the issue regarding lobbyists’ registrations had been resolved.
Miami’s city administrators thus have a green light to work out details of a 99-year lease with Miami Freedom Park, LLC. Despite the fact that the complaint remains open, the city can begin negotiating the lease under the broad terms overwhelmingly approved by voters in the November referendum.
City Manager Emilio Gonzalez and his staff will work with Miami Freedom Park, LLC, of which Jorge Mas is currently the sole member. (1) The basic terms of this transaction were made part of a term sheet agreed to as part of the city commission sessions on July 17, 2018. (2) Now, the parties will begin negotiations and a prepare a document that will outline the terms under which Melreese Country Club, located on 131 acres of public land adjacent to Miami International Airport, will be transformed into the visionary Miami Freedom Park — a $1 billion private development that will have a 25,000 seat stadium in a 10-acre corner of the property that will serve as home to Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami and which will include Miami Freedom Park, a 58 acre park that will be the city’s largest, as well as public soccer fields. From there, a formal ground lease can be drafted and presented to the city commissioners for ratification.
While there is much discussion in the Herald article concerning the ownership structure of Miami Freedom Park, LLC, in reality a limited liability company can easily alter its legal ownership in a straightforward procedure to add additional owners, who are referred to as ‘members’. This means the other investor-owners of the soccer team (which is operated under Miami Beckham United, LLC) would be admitted at the appropriate time. It is a fairly common practice in commercial transactions. As it stands right now, the primary business interest of Miami Freedom Park, LLC will be what is known as a ‘leasehold interest,’ i.e., the ground lease with the city, and that of course does not exist yet. Thus, the issue of who the members of Miami Freedom Park, LLC are is not relevant since there is no interest to share yet with other potential members. The terms and conditions of the lease must first be worked out. Moreover, there are also practical and necessary reasons beyond the scope of this article as to why the company holding the lease with the city is different from the entity owning Inter Miami CF, reasons that have nothing to do with lack of transparency.
It should also be mentioned that during the two days of sessions held at city hall last summer, which I attended, the issue of the identities of the principles of Miami Freedom Park, LLC was never raised by city commissioners or officials.
What’s next for Miami Freedom Park? Once a lease is agreed to, it requires the approval of four out of five city commissioners. With Commissioner Reyes eternally opposed based on his interpretation of ‘the process’ and Commissioner Gort also speaking against, the Herald writer made a point of including the usual rhetoric from Reyes and Gort, and described the likelihood for success at the city commission as being “a long shot.” But that sells this vision short. Critics and doubters have been spelling doom for the Miami MLS project at every step of the way over the past five years – and they’ve been wrong every time.
When asked about the chances of success, Jorge Mas had this to say: “The city of Miami voters spoke loud and clear in overwhelming fashion. And no matter the delays or obstacles we will deliver this project to our residents.”
“We have instructed our team and lawyers to ‘GO’ and bring this before the commission as soon as possible with the exact deal and benefits voters approved,” Jorge Mas stated. “We fully anticipate that the commission will listen to the voters and residents, but reiterate we are in this for the long haul if necessary.”
This dream that David Beckham and his co-investors have has always been about having vision, about the power of perseverance and the determination to never give up. In the words of Beckham himself at the formal announcement of Fútbol Miami just about a year ago, “I never quit.” It must succeed, and it will. No matter how big the obstacle, I know where I’m placing my money.
NEW: Miami-Dade ethics officials have informed city of Miami that lobbyists for Jorge Mas & David Beckham's soccer group have fulfilled registration requirements, giving the green light for negotiations of a 99-year lease of Melreese golf course for a stadium/commercial complex.
(1) Miami Freedom Park, LLC is a Delaware Limited Liability Company, with its principal business address in Miami. It was filed in Delaware on 5/16/2018, and is duly authorized to do business in Florida.
There’s a first time for everything, and for fans of the Philadelphia Union, it will be a quiet Friday. For the first time in MLS history, a team has traded away all of its draft picks. Wednesday, Philadelphia elected to not make any draft choices in tomorrow’s 2019 MLS Superdraft. Instead, the club announced last evening that it sent all five of draft picks in Friday’s draft to FC Cincinnati for up to $200,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM).
In exchange for the picks (Nos. 13, 29, 37, 61 and 85), the Union will receive $150,000 in 2019 GAM. They will receive an extra $50,000 in conditional 2020 GAM, depending upon certain performance metrics being met by any players chosen by Cincinnati in the SuperDraft.
“When evaluating how we want to build our roster for the 2019 season and beyond, we decided that acquiring this money is the best use of our SuperDraft resources,” said Ernst Tanner, Union Sporting Director, in a team statement. “Not only will we look to continue both signing Union Academy products for the first team and Bethlehem Steel FC, as well as attracting young talent from abroad, we believe that this sum of money will help us complete crucial signings ahead of the upcoming campaign.”
Want more explanation? Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner had this to say when asked by the Philadelphia Inquirer about trading all of the Union’s draft picks for allocation money:
“The level of MLS has increased a lot, and I think that the level of university [soccer] has been more or less the same. There is quite a big gap. … There are lots of players who are quite okay for the USL level, but it doesn’t necessarily make us better in the MLS level, and that is something a lot of clubs are realizing.“
FC Cincinnati now have double the number of draft picks, 10, which includes three in the first round. In addition to their natural No. 1 selection, they acquired the No. 16 overall selection from LAFC earlier on Wednesday, and have now acquired Philadelphia’s natural first-round pick as well. In exchange, they dealt away nearly all of the $175,000 in GAM they received from LAFC earlier in the day in addition to the draft pick.
