Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, facing the harshest budget year of her administration and almost certain cuts to services, asked all department heads earlier this month to identify where they could cut 10% of their expenses. Then, this week, she has recommended the county hand another $10.5 million subsidy to FIFA for the seven 2026 World Cup games that will be played here.
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association already got $10.5 million in cash and another $25 in donated or in-kind county services, like police and fire rescue. It was cut from their original request for $21 million in cash after pubic outcry last year, including criticism from Florida House Speaker Daniel “Danny” Perez.
Even Levine Cava, last year, had concerns about the subsidy, calling it a significant cost. That resistance was why Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, who sponsored the legislation (the World Cup games will at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens), decided to compromise and as for only half of the cash the organization wanted.
But even then, it seemed like another bait and switch was coming when Miami-Dade Commissioner Anthony Rodriguez said, “We might need more.”
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Gilbert is again sponsoring the legislation that would give FIFA the other $10.5 mil.
But do they really need it?
All FIFA tournaments generate revenue from sponsorships. In 2022, FIFA had revenues of over $5.8 billion, ending the 2019–2022 cycle with a net positive of $1.2 billion, and cash reserves of over $3.9 billion, according to Wikipedia, which cites the organization’s own Financial Highlights report of April 2023. There have been investigative journalism reports over the years that have linked FIFA leadership with corruption, bribery and vote rigging.
Hmm. They should fit right in here.
This $10.5 million is a drop in the bucket for FIFA leaders, who all get big, fat bonuses, but important to Miami-Dade residents, who could see their services decrease.
The legislation is coming up at Tuesday’s county commission meeting. It is part of the “mid-year supplemental budget adjustments and amendments” for operating and capital expenses that total $137.258 million, according to the memo from the mayor’s office. That includes:
- Almost $30 million for the new Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Department, most of it for bargaining concessions and overtime.
- More than $1.3 million to the Property Appraiser’s office.
- $6.3 million to the Tax Collector’s office.
- $3.7 million for the Supervisor of Elections, for 16 new positions and “rebranding efforts.”
- $750,000, or $150K for each of the constitutional positions, for outside legal counsel in the transition process.
The $10.5 million for FIFA will be funded from the Wages and Separation Reserve Fund, according to the mayor’s memo. “In order to replenish the Wages and Separation Reserve Fund, the administration anticipates there will be operational savings realized within the General Fund. To achieve these savings, several considerations regarding the current level of services provided 
by departments funded by the General Fund and how they provide those services are being reviewed. As a result, service adjustments may be inevitable.”
That bears repeating: “Service adjustments may be inevitable.”
Levine Cava wrote that “The proposed allocation will help ensure the County is adequately prepared to manage the significant demands and opportunities associated with hosting this global event.” How so? How does handing them $10.5 mil do that? We are already providing $25 million in police and fire rescue services.
Lobbyist Rodney Barreto, whose firm represents the Dolphins and who serves as co-chair of the World Cup hosting committee, told The Miami Herald that the additional $10.5 million request was expected and that the economic boost from the events will more than make up for it. “The hotel tax revenue produced will be more than enough to justify the item,” Barreto said.
Maybe. But it’s still going to be $10.5 million less that the county can count on if commissioners accept this on Tuesday.
Miami-Dade could cut back services, give $21 million to FIFA for World Cup added by Ladra on
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