Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Episode: #BecauseMiami: A Miracle Has Happened
Release Date: March 21, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, co-hosts Billy Corbin and Ken Russell engage in a heated and in-depth discussion centered around Miami's political landscape, focusing primarily on Ken Russell's controversial tenure as a city commissioner and his upcoming mayoral campaign. The conversation delves into issues of governmental corruption, public-private partnerships, and the impact of high-profile sports deals on the city's governance and development.

Ken Russell Enters the Mayoral Race

[03:15] Billy Corbin announces that former Miami city commissioner Ken Russell has formally entered the 2025 mayoral race. Corbin highlights Russell as the first prominent candidate to join the race, setting the stage for a contentious campaign focused on rooting out corruption within Miami's government.

Billy Corbin ([03:15]): "Ken Russell is what the Miami Herald is calling the first prominent candidate to formally enter the 2025 city of Miami mayoral race."

[03:30] Ken Russell enters the studio, acknowledging the tension and history between him and Corbin.

Ken Russell ([05:49]): "I can't imagine there's a lot of politicians that come rolling through, and I don't know why, but when I heard that you wanted me on to endorse my mayoral campaign live on the show, I couldn't resist."

The Mel Reese and Inter Miami Beckham Deal

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Ken Russell's involvement in the Mel Reese deal, which brought billionaire Jorge Maas, football star David Beckham, and the Inter Miami soccer team into Miami's real estate and sports development sphere.

[05:54] Corbin criticizes Russell for his role as the swing vote in the Mel Reese deal, labeling it a "boondoggle" and accusing Russell of facilitating a corrupt arrangement.

Billy Corbin ([05:54]): "I thought this was a bad deal. ... You were the guy that made it happen."

[06:10] Russell defends his actions, arguing that he incorporated stringent public benefits into the deal to mitigate potential negative impacts.

Ken Russell ([06:10]): "I put all of the legal teeth into a vote that would hold the public benefits that kept this from being a bad deal, in my opinion."

[09:25] The conversation highlights Russell's efforts to ensure that the contaminated land involved in the deal was remediated and that new green spaces were promised to offset the loss of existing public lands.

Ken Russell ([09:34]): "They gave us a contravention with the city charter, which requires an RFP with competitive bidding process."

Allegations of Corruption and Broken Promises

Corbin accuses Russell of being ineffective in enforcing the public benefits he negotiated, suggesting that the administration has since undermined those commitments.

[09:26] Corbin asserts that despite Russell's efforts, officials like Mayor Francis Suarez and city attorney Tricky Vicky Mendez have violated the agreed-upon terms.

Billy Corbin ([09:26]): "But it never happens. There was no evidence to believe that anyone was going to act in good faith."

[12:47] Russell responds by emphasizing the importance of taking risks in governance to achieve meaningful change, refusing to label himself as corrupt despite accusations.

Ken Russell ([12:47]): "I really believe that if they had held to the public benefit tenants that I was able to negotiate and they were honoring those today."

The Showdown at City Hall

A pivotal moment in the episode recounts a dramatic interaction during a city commission meeting where Russell stood firm against pressure to abandon his demands for public benefits.

[17:06] Corbin describes an infamous image captured by the Miami Herald showing Russell being dismissed by Mayor Suarez during a prolonged break in the meeting.

Billy Corbin ([19:09]): "...your direct line in the District 2 office of City hall because you were the, the swing vote. What did you think I was up to?"

[19:53] Russell clarifies his stance, detailing how Suarez and his allies attempted to coerce him into supporting the deal without honoring the public benefits he secured.

Ken Russell ([19:53]): "No, that's. That is a complete opposite version from the experience that I had up there."

Impact on Public Projects and Future Implications

The discussion further explores how the Mel Reese deal and subsequent political maneuvers have affected public projects, especially the promised parks and green spaces.

[25:29] Corbin highlights Russell's admission that the deal was a "giant boondoggle" and questions his effectiveness in his previous role.

Ken Russell ([25:31]): "But I did get the vote. I got the vote. I got the vote."

[26:19] Russell maintains that the deal was memorialized in the commission's minutes but laments that the administration has strayed from the original agreements.

Ken Russell ([26:19]): "...they are violating right now. They are in violation the leases, and they're putting the entire lease itself in jeopardy."

Ken Russell's Vision for Miami

As the conversation progresses, Russell outlines his vision for transforming Miami's political system, emphasizing the need for systemic changes to prevent corruption and ensure accountability.

[45:30] Russell advocates for breaking the entrenched political "wheel" that perpetuates corruption and stifles effective governance.

Ken Russell ([45:30]): "It's about breaking the entire wheel of what's going on right now there."

[58:05] He emphasizes the necessity of charter amendments and advocates for term limits to infuse fresh perspectives into Miami's leadership.

Ken Russell ([58:05]): "We need more commissioners and more engagement from the public, more accountability and better candidates."

Challenges in the Mayoral Race

Corbin questions Russell's ability to overcome past controversies and the so-called "Marlins curse," suggesting that previous political losses due to similar issues might hinder Russell's campaign.

[35:11] Corbin introduces the "Marlins curse," positing that politicians involved in bad sports deals, like those related to the Miami Marlins, are unlikely to achieve higher office.

Billy Corbin ([35:11]): "...they voted in favor of the Marlins park boondoggle, then the worst sports welfare deal in history... None of those elected officials were ever elected to any higher office."

[38:23] Russell counters by asserting voters will ultimately decide on the merit of the deals and his role in upholding them.

Ken Russell ([38:23]): "I think voters will decide how important this is to them."

Political Endorsements and Public Perception

The episode concludes with a segment where Corbin delivers a series of "mean tweets" aimed at discrediting Russell, while Russell responds with humor and defense of his record.

[58:26] A playful yet confrontational exchange ensues, highlighting the adversarial nature of their relationship and the broader political tensions in Miami.

Billy Corbin ([58:26]): "There's only one May in this studio that has my endorsement."

Ken Russell ([58:43]): "Number five. Ken Russell is a con man who would sell out any community..."

Conclusion

This episode provides a comprehensive look into the contentious political environment of Miami, spotlighting Ken Russell's struggle against entrenched corruption and his quest to implement meaningful change. Through spirited debate, both hosts expose the complexities of public-private partnerships, the challenges of enforcing policy commitments, and the personal and political ramifications of high-stakes real estate deals involving prominent figures like David Beckham. As the mayoral race heats up, the conversation underscores the critical need for accountability and integrity in Miami's governance.

Notable Quotes

• Ken Russell ([12:47]): "I really believe that if they had held to the public benefit tenants that I was able to negotiate and they were honoring those today."
• Billy Corbin ([05:54]): "I thought this was a bad deal. ... You were the guy that made it happen."
• Ken Russell ([58:05]): "We need more commissioners and more engagement from the public, more accountability and better candidates."
• Billy Corbin ([35:11]): "...they voted in favor of the Marlins park boondoggle, then the worst sports welfare deal in history..."
• Ken Russell ([38:23]): "I think voters will decide how important this is to them."

Key Takeaways

1. Political Corruption: The episode delves deep into perceived corruption within Miami's city government, focusing on deals that favor wealthy developers and high-profile athletes at the expense of public interests.

2. Public-Private Partnerships: Ken Russell's role as a swing vote in significant deals highlights the delicate balance and potential pitfalls of public-private partnerships in urban development.

3. Accountability and Enforcement: Despite negotiations to embed public benefits in deals, enforcement and adherence to these commitments remain contentious issues, with accusations that city officials have undermined these agreements.

4. Systemic Change: Russell advocates for comprehensive systemic reforms, including charter amendments and term limits, to break the cycle of corruption and promote accountability in Miami's governance.

5. Political Rivalry: The dynamic between Corbin and Russell exemplifies the broader political tensions and personal rivalries that shape public discourse and electoral politics in Miami.

This episode serves as a critical examination of Miami's political machinations, offering listeners an insider's perspective on the challenges of upholding integrity and transparency in the face of powerful interests.