BREAKING: Inter Miami’s Lockhart Stadium Plan Clears Legal Hurdle

Inter Miami ihas had 3 better months in Fort Lauderdale than they’ve had 6 years in Miami. Today, the nascent MLS team clearing a legal challenge from FXE Futbol, whose motion for temporary injunction of the demolition of Lockhart Stadium was denied.

Inter Miami, through attorney John Shubin, released a statement: “Today’s decision confirms that the process that is bringing world class soccer to the City of Fort Lauderdale was both lawful and fair. Our client will continue to move forward in good faith with the hard work that needs to be accomplished to convert this process into a reality. We also hope that we have seen the end of this meritless litigation.”

For a bit of background, Inter Miami submitted an unsolicited proposal to the City of Fort Lauderdale to build a stadium and their soccer HQ at the site that current holds Lockhart Stadium and Fort Lauderdale Stadium. Their plan was to demolish both stadiums and build an entirely new facility.

When Inter submitted their plan, FXE Futbol submitted their plan within the 15 days required for a response for an unsolicited proposal. According to leader JP Reynal, they had been working on a redevelopment plan for years which called for a USL Championship team and a TopGolf to replace the two stadiums.

However, FXE’s plan called for a refurbishing of Lockhart while Inter’s called for a total demolition. Demolition of the stadium has already begun, with light poles being taken down at the stadium. FXE filed an emergency motion for injunction saying that any demolition of the stadium would make their plan impossible to deliver

As Inter Miami prepares to have their Lockhart proposal go in front of a judge, as @FXE_Futbol seeks an injunction, the light poles at Lockhart have been taken down pic.twitter.com/jf2dCvsVg5

— Chris Wittyngham (@ChrisWittyngham) May 1, 2019

Today, that injunction was denied. Here is the ruling from Judge Raag Singhal of the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida.

FXE has released a statement through attorney David Winker saying “I respect Judge Singhal very much, but disagree with his conclusions as to our right to temporary injunction and will be appealing.  We also look forward to continuing to pursue our underlying case.”

The full text of the ruling can be found here