Sony Open In Miami Proposes Big Changes

Written by: Staff on 24th August 2012

Sony Open In Miami Proposes Big Changes |

The Sony Open in Miami has asked county commissioners to put a measure on the November ballot that would allow it to give Crandon Park a $50-million makeover with new permanent grandstands, shaded pavilions, a grassy lawn and stadium additions.

The Miami Herald reports that that IMG, which owns the tournament, doesn’t think that the tennis center can continue to compete with other cities that hold Masters Series tournaments unless it modernizes/ Two-thirds of voters would have to approve the expanded park structures, which would be financed by tournament funds.

In return, the tournament wants its lease extended to a total of 30 years with two optional, 10-year extensions. Its current lease runs out in nine years. The Sony Open draws more than 326,000 fans per year.

“Events are catching up,” Adam Barrett, senior vice president of IMG and tournament director, told the newspaper. “We want to be the leader. We want to be world class.”

Apparently, organizers expect a battle. Crandon Park (which is located on nearly 1,000-acres in Key Biscayne) was established when the Matheson family donated the land to the county in 1940 and later sued it in 1991 over stadium plans. However, in 1995 the family and the county reached a settlement that stipulated that the county could proceed as long as it set up a committee to approve future changes. Organizers have yet to present a detailed plan but have hired a public relations firm to sell the proposal. A study commissioned by the tournament estimates the event’s annual economic impact at nearly $387 million.

Organizers are proposing to build seats for three mini stadiums, for up to 6,000, 4,000 and 3,000 spectators. They also want to build an open pavilion with a roof to provide shade. Plans also include an expansion of main stadium to contain a restaurant, a new player’s lounge, a sports bar, a pro shop, a player dining area, offices and terraces.

Commissioner Xavier Suarez, told the Herald. “It would be hard for me to not be supportive of putting it on the ballot when you have to meet a threshold of two-thirds of the electorate.”