On the same day the Miami Open was granted permission to relocate the tournament, a fresh argument over finances has thrown the plan into jeopardy.
Recently it was revealed that the organisers are hoping to move the event 19 miles from its home of 30 years, Key Biscayne, to the Hard Rock Stadium. The move has been triggered after organisers lost a legal battle to invest $50 million to develop the current site. Bruce Matheson and his family, who owns Crandon Park, Successfully argued in court that the expansion would have violated an agreement to keep the area open to the public.
After losing their case, hope now lies with the Hard Rock Stadium, which is the home venue for NFL team Miami Hurricanes. Owner Stephen Ross has been a firm supporter of the move. Ross is on course to receive $1 million per year incentive money for hosting the event, if approved. Many also view Ross’ proposal as the only alternative to keep the event in Miami.
“We went to court and we lost and the only way to keep the tournament in the community is to allow it to move to the Hard Rock stadium,” Mayor Carlos Gimenez told county commissioners.
On Tuesday, the Miami-Dade County Commissioners approved the plan of relocation by a vote of 11-2, but momentum has now stalled. There is a disagreement over what is owed to the Miami-Dade county.
Gimenez, who is the mayor of Miami-Dade, said that he was unaware until last Friday about an outstanding audit. A deal projects that the amount owned by the tournament to the local county will be $1.3 million, but could increase as a result of the audit. Gimenez now wants this dispute to be settled through an arbitration. A request that IMG, owners of the Miami Open, have rejected.
This now means that the future of the Miami Open, which holds both ATP and WTA events, hangs in the balance. It is a prominent fixture on the calendar, following the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. It is categorised as a Masters 1000 tournament for the men and as a Premier Mandatory for women.
“We are at grave risk of not staying in Miami,” said IMG vice president Wendy Elkins.
It is unclear as to what the next step is. Many involved in negotiations still believe that the tournament will still move into the Hard Rock Stadium. If that was to happen. An estimated $53 million investment would be used to build 24 tennis courts as well as a centre court in the stadium.
Next year’s Miami Open will still take place in Crandon Park, its original home. According to CBS, once the tournament moves the venue will be used for a variety of projects. Including high school and college competitions, amateur events and granting access to the public.
