AIRBALL SPORTS - AWARD

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

This legislative item concerns a resolution to waive competitive bidding procedures and award a non-competitive revenue-generating contract, Contract No. BW-10479, for a Miami Heat-licensed merchandise retail concession at Miami International Airport (MIA) to Airball Sports II, LLC. The contract is for an eight-year term with one two-year option to renew, projected to generate $17,000,000.00 in revenue for the Miami-Dade Aviation Department. The item was deferred by the Aviation and Seaport Committee on July 13, 2026, at the request of Commissioner Cohen-Higgins, with no specific date set for reconsideration. During a prior meeting on May 11, 2026, the committee deferred the item to June 8, 2026, and Chairwoman Cohen Higgins inquired about the airport's concessionaire program. Mr. Cutie reported on the progress of airport concession area design and refurbishment, noting that implementation work would not be complete for the World Cup but was progressing well. He also mentioned ongoing negotiations with a pool of 45 firms for future spaces. Airball Sports II, LLC is the sole vendor authorized to operate a Miami Heat franchise retail store at MIA, holding exclusive rights and offering a full range of licensed merchandise year-round. The proposed contract replaces an existing month-to-month lease and requires Airball to pay the greater of 10% of gross revenues or the prevailing Class VI Terminal rental rate.