MLS owners meeting in New York "unanimously approved
Ken Horowitz's plan to have his Miami Fusion play in Fort
Lauderdale beginning in March," according to Jeff Rusnak of
the Fort Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL. The agreement still needs
to be approved by the Broward County School Board and Fort
Lauderdale City Commission on October 7. Rusnak writes that
assuming "no complications, Horowitz can get to work on
assembling his front office staff, hiring a coach and
bringing Lockhart [Stadium] up to MLS standards." Horowitz
will spend up to $4M to renovate Lockhart into a 20,000-seat
stadium. The Fusion originally was set to play at the
Orange Bowl in Miami, but Horowitz "couldn't reach" a lease
agreement with Miami Mayor Joe Carollo (SUN-SENTINEL, 9/24).
In Miami, Michelle Kaufman reports that the team's name will
remain Miami Fusion, "at least for the time being, partly
because sponsor Umbro already is deep into the production of
team jerseys, uniforms and other souvenirs." The Fusion has
a five-year lease with three five-year options for Lockhart
Stadium. The team will pay $465 rent per game and give Fort
Lauderdale 5% of the parking revenue (MIAMI HERALD, 9/24).
