AIRBALL SPORTS - AWARD

Aviation and Seaport Committee · 2026-07-13 · resolution

Resolution to waive competitive bidding and award a non-competitive revenue-generating lease and concession agreement, Contract No. BW-10479, to Airball Sports II, LLC for a Miami Heat-licensed merchandise retail concession at Miami International Airport (MIA) in Concourse D. Projected revenue of $17,000,000.00 for an eight-year term with one two-year option to renew. Status: Deferred. Introduced 4/13/2026. Deferred by Aviation and Seaport Committee on 5/11/2026 to 6/8/2026, then deferred again on 7/13/2026 to no date certain at the request of Commissioner Cohen-Higgins. Applicant/developer/owner: Airball Sports II, LLC. Prime Sponsor: Danielle Cohen Higgins. The contract replaces Contract No. R-1110-11 approved December 19, 2011. The current contract requires a percentage fee of 8% of gross revenues; the new contract requires the greater of 10% of gross revenues or the prevailing Class VI Terminal rental rate. Fiscal impact for initial eight-year term is $13,600,000; with the option to renew, cumulative value is $17,000,000. The vendor principal address is 201 S. Biscayne Blvd, Ste 800, Miami, FL. The contract manager is Sylvia Novela. The Procurement Contracting Manager is Marie Williams. The Chief Operating Officer is Jimmy Morales. The County Mayor is Daniella Levine Cava. The item is located within District 6, represented by Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis, but the impact is countywide. The Living Wage Ordinance applies. The Small Business Enterprise measures and Local Preference do not apply. The two percent User Access Program does not apply. Due diligence found no adverse findings. No comparable competitive contracts were identified for piggybacking. Market research did not identify any other vendors authorized to operate a Miami Heat-licensed retail store; Airball is the only vendor authorized. During the 5/11/2026 committee meeting, Chairwoman Cohen Higgins requested a status update on the airport's concessionaire program. Mr. Cutie reported that the Board had approved a 15-year extension of many concession areas the previous April, with a three-year implementation phase. He noted one space was completed, another was about to begin construction, and the department expected to enter the third phase on May 23. He stated implementation work would not be complete in time for the World Cup. He also noted the department was negotiating a pool of 45 firms, with solicitations to follow for spaces expected to become available. The document does not state any public comment or stakeholder sentiment for or against this specific item.