Miami, FL
Inter Miami CF Claims Double Win at 17th Annual Sports Business Awards: Team of the Year and Deal of the Year | Inter Miami CF
Inter Miami took home two prestigious honors at the 17th Annual Sports Business Awards on Wednesday night in New York City, with the Club having the standout performance of the evening among sports teams. Riding high after its July 2023 signing of Lionel Messi, the Club was recognized with Team of the Year and Deal of the Year.
The signing of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi, transformed North American sports and catapulted Inter Miami into a global phenomenon overnight. His arrival at Inter Miami didn’t just elevate the team’s on-field performance immediately, but also ignited a commercial surge, helping transform Inter Miami into a reference point for fútbol globally.
Upon accepting the first award of the night for the Club, Inter Miami CF Chief Business Officer Xavier Asensi said, “We did it because we didn’t know it was impossible. I can tell you, though, that our motto is Freedom to Dream. And we dreamt. We dreamt really big, and I can tell you that it was worth every bit of it.”
Just moments after receiving the Deal of the Year Award, Asensi returned to the stage alongside a group of staff members to accept the Team of the Year Award.
The second recognition underscores not just the monumental task of signing Messi, but also the Club’s adeptness in swiftly leveraging the extraordinary moment in the spotlight.
“We’re extremely proud that we’ve been able to pull that one off and to have the greatest of all time and the greatest that ever played the game play on the United States of America’s soil and Canada’s soil,” Asensi said. “We hope that this can elevate the game and the popularity of the game in this country.”
Miami, FL
Every Dolphins head coach’s start in Miami from worst to best
Jeff Hafley became the 12th full-time head coach in Miami Dolphins history following the firing of Mike McDaniel in January.
Most of the previous coaches began their careers with a decent roster to work with. That isn’t the case for Hafley, who, like Brian Flores, will begin his NFL career with a gutted roster full of question marks but a better hope for the future.
Hafley will be safe in his job for at least three seasons, barring something unforeseen. Stephen Ross likes the direction the team is heading, and he understands that patience is needed. In 2019, his patience with Flores was quickly lost for many reasons.
Hafley will face one of the toughest schedules in the NFL this year. He isn’t likely to get off to a quick start in his coaching career. Looking at other former Dolphins’ coaches, it will be interesting to see how he stacks up, despite the roster.
Jeff Hafley has a tough road to make a first year impact as the Miami Dolphins head coach
Cam Cameron – 0-13
To be fair to Cameron, he did open his first and only season as the Dolphins’ HC with an overtime loss to the then Washington Redskins. Cameron started with 13 consecutive losses before beating the Ravens two weeks before the end of the season. Six of his losses were by three points.
Brian Flores – 0-7
Flores and the Dolphins’ management team gutted the roster. The epic 2019 rebuild never materialized on the field, but the Dolphins were not expected to do much that season. Flores’ hardliner decisions were a huge change to the previous coaching staff, eventually wearing thin.
The Dolphins managed to finish the year with five wins, which was a bigger accomplishment than many had believed possible. This is the season that Hafley will be compared to the most. He is inheriting the same level of roster experience, with a tough schedule. Five wins would be an exceptional start.
George Wilson – 0-5
Wilson spent the majority of his career coaching the NFL’s Detroit Lions before switching to the AFL’s Dolphins. He would spend three years coaching the Dolphins, but his first season wouldn’t see a victory until week six against the Broncos. Wilson lost his first five games, with the closest being a 5-point loss in week two to the Jets. Miami would beat the Broncos and Oilers in back-to-back weeks, then beat the Oilers again in the final game of the season, to finish 3-11.
Tony Sparano – 0-2
In what remains one of the best turnarounds in NFL history, Sparano inherited Cameron’s 1-11 roster. He led the Dolphins to an AFC East title and the playoffs in his first season, but he didn’t get off to a great start early.
Sparano’s Dolphins lost their first two games, but the implementation and debut of the WildCat would change their fortunes. Miami won nine of its final 10 games to finish 11-5.
Adam Gase – 0-2
Gase was supposed to be the next offensive genius. For a short time, he appeared to be heading in the direction of proving everyone right. The Dolphins got off to a slow start in his first season, eventually finishing 10-6. Miami took second place in the AFC East and earned a playoff spot, but the Dolphins lost in the Wild Card round to the Steelers.
Joe Philibin – 0-1
The start of Joe Philbin’s career in Miami was much like his final year, uninspiring. Miami lost their first game, but managed to turn the season into something promising. They finished 7-9, but had opportunities. Philbin wasn’t a bad coach; he just wasn’t a good one either.
Dave Wannstedt – 0-1
Wannstedt had the rare privilege of taking over a well-built roster. After spending a season working under Johnson as a Dolphins coach, he took over after Johnson abruptly retired from the league. He would win his first game, lose his second, and then run off four consecutive wins. Miami won the AFC East in 2000 and advanced to the playoffs, where they lost to the Raiders. They finished 11-5.
Don Shula – 0-1
Shula got off to a fast start after leading the Colts to Super Bowl III. The loss to the Jets was the catalyst for his departure. In Miami, Shula would become a legend. Taking over for Wilson, Shula lost his first game as the Dolphins’ HC.
The 27-14 drubbing of the Boston Patriots would lead to a four-game winning streak, followed by a three-game losing streak. In traditional Shula fashion, the Dolphins would turn it all around and run off six straight victories, earning them their first playoff appearance in franchise history with a 10-4 record.
Jimmy Johnson – 3-0
Many fans believed it was time for a coaching change, and so did owner Wayne Huizenga. Shula retired, and Johnson was the big-name hire. Johnson wasn’t able to develop the Dolphins into a dynasty as he did with the Cowboys; in fact, he couldn’t get them deep into the playoffs.
To a lesser degree, Johnson began making wholesale changes to the Dolphins roster to build it in his own vision. His first season was an average .500 at 8-8, but his quick start had fans believing the right decision was made. Johnson’s team won three straight to kick off the coach’s career in Miami, but they would only win five games the rest of the year.
Mike McDaniel – 3-0
McDaniel was the complete opposite of Flores. He inherited a good football team in need of direction. He was another offensive guru who didn’t come in kicking down doors like Flores, but instead brought a youthful energy that the players immediately gravitated toward.
Under McDaniel, the Dolphins would rattle off 9 wins and squeak into the playoffs, where they lost to the Bills by three, without their starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. McDaniel’s exuberance was greatly needed, but as the seasons continued, his energy wasn’t enough to win games when the players needed more discipline. McDaniel couldn’t find the right balance between the two.
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Miami, FL
Bradley Beal to Miami Heat rumors draw skepticism
Bradley Beal is reportedly a free agent after declining his player option to return to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Miami Heat have been linked to him with the start of NBA free agency looming.
Miami is looking to add floor spacers following its trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Beal fits the bill as he’s a career 37.6% shooter from beyond the arc and would provide the team with a lot of experience.
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MORE: Projecting the 2026 Milwaukee Bucks starting lineup after Giannis Antetokounmpo trade
Underdog NBA shared the update reported by NBA Prime’s Chris Haynes on X. However, fans expressed skepticism about his fit and what he would bring to the franchise.
“Bradley Beal about to scam the Miami Heat like he did the Phoenix Suns and the LA Clippers,” one fan wrote.
“He said watch out like if Beal is still a good player,” a comment read.
“not a soul is worried about where bradley beal is going. we waiting on the jaylen brown trade,” one user said.
“That’s suppose to scare the Celtics ?” posted another.
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“How can any team want this dude?” a comment read.
“Their whole team will be over 30 years old at this rate,” another fan commented.
Beal signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Clippers on July 18, 2025. However, he played only six games last season as doctors performed a season-ending surgery to repair a hip fracture.
Bradley Beal’s career stats
The 33-year-old is coming off a major injury and hasn’t played a full season since 2018-19. However, he last received All-Star honors in 2021 and could still be a solid contributor if given ample playing time. Beal averages 21.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.1 3PM in his career.
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He could sign a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal, which would give him a chance to secure a more lucrative contract if he performs well. A low-risk, high-reward scenario will work well for Miami as it maneuvers its salary cap situation.
Miami, FL
Person hospitalized after fire breaks out at North Miami Beach apartment building
A person was hospitalized after a fire broke out at an apartment building in North Miami Beach on Monday, officials said.
The fire happened at the 7-story building at 16850 S. Glades Drive.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said crews found smoke and flames coming from a unit on the sixth floor.
Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames and were able to bring it under control before checking to see if other units were damaged.
Officials said two patients were assessed including one who was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
No other details were immediately known.
Check back with NBC6 for updates.
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