Legal Services of Greater Miami’s 'Business Breakfast' examines impact of pro sports on Miami
Legal Services of Greater Miami’s Ninth Annual Business Breakfast Panel participants, from the left, James Kohnstamm, director of Economic Development, Miami-Dade County; Matt Haggman, founder, Solving For; Karen Lapekas, founder, Lapekas Law (Legal Services of Greater Miami board president); Monica Vigues-Pitan, CEO, Legal Services of Greater Miami; Myles Pistorius, senior vice president and general counsel, Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, and F1 Miami Grand Prix; and Alina Hudak, president and CEO, FIFA World Cup 26 Miami Host Committee.
Legal Services of Greater Miami hosted its Ninth Annual Business Breakfast Panel on February 24 at Greenberg Traurig, bringing together local leaders to discuss "Game-Changing Impact: How Pro Sports Fuel Miami’s Growth."
Moderated by Matt Haggman, a writer, journalist, and founder of Solving For, the panel featured:
- Alina Hudak, president & CEO, FIFA World Cup 26 Miami Host Committee
- James Kohnstamm, director of economic development, Miami-Dade County
- Myles Pistorius, senior vice president and general counsel, Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, and F1 Miami Grand Prix
Panelists discussed how Miami’s expanding portfolio of major sports events is reshaping the region’s economy and community.
Hudak outlined preparations for the FIFA World Cup 26, which will include seven matches at Hard Rock Stadium, emphasizing efforts to enhance the fan experience and ensure long‑term community benefits. She also highlighted the community toolkit now available to help local businesses build the capacity needed to participate in the economic opportunities surrounding the event.
Pistorius noted that approximately one in nine visitors to Miami‑Dade County travels for sports, underscoring the sector’s role in positioning Miami as a global entertainment destination. He cited key investments — including stadium renovations, the Miami Open, Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, and the Dolphins’ training facilities — that continue to accelerate growth. He also discussed the importance of ensuring Miami Gardens residents share in the benefits, referencing recent investments in a local football park, STEM programs for local students, and initiatives supporting local food and beverage vendors.
Kohnstamm shared that Miami-Dade County welcomes more than 28 million visitors annually, with 3–3.5 million coming primarily for sports tourism. He projected a $3 billion economic impact surrounding the World Cup and the full slate of upcoming sporting events this year. He said the benefits extend beyond headline revenue to small businesses, service providers, job creation, and long-term capacity building, particularly with new assets such as Freedom Park and the Homestead Sports Complex.
The panelists agreed that meaningful community engagement, strategic investment, and public–private collaboration will be essential for Miami to maintain and grow its global sports appeal while ensuring local neighborhoods benefit.
The discussion concluded with a Q&A session, followed by remarks from Monica Vigues‑Pitan, CEO of Legal Services of Greater Miami. She highlighted the importance of centering Miami’s working families and small businesses in conversations about economic growth, noting:
“As Miami becomes a magnet for sports tourism, it’s crucial to remember how local residents and neighborhoods can be uplifted, and that the small businesses that anchor our local economy share in the benefits,” she said.
