Axios Miami

The fate of the world-famous Nikki Beach day club will be decided today.

Driving the news: Miami Beach commissioners are voting on which vendor will take over the Ocean Drive institution once the current operator's lease with the city ends in 2026.

Why it matters: The longtime owners of Nikki Beach — the Penrod family, which has opened up outposts of the club across the world — will lose control over the city-owned property that they've had since 1985.

• The city rejected their bid earlier this month after saying the family failed to submit required documents by a set deadline.

The latest: The city administration has recommended that the commission award a 10-year contract to Boucher Brothers, the beach concessionaire whose blue-and-white umbrellas dot the South Florida coastline.

Details: Boucher Brothers proposes to spend over $26 million in renovations and would partner with Major Food Group, which owns Carbone and other eateries, to operate two restaurants and a cafe onsite.

• The planned project, dubbed Pier Park, would also include child care and wellness centers.
• Boucher Brothers, which would pay the city a minimum of $41 million in rent over the 10-year agreement, plans to fund a police substation and offer resident discounts.
• Three other companies — Tao Group Hospitality, RH and The Group US Management — submitted bid proposals for 10- and 20-year agreements.

The intrigue: The Penrod family sued the city and Boucher Bros. in May, accusing Miami Beach officials of making a "backroom deal" to pursue a no-bid contract with the concessionaire to take over the property. A judge dismissed the lawsuit in August.

• Commissioners previously voted in April to pursue a non-binding term sheet with Boucher Bros., but walked back the vote after facing public backlash, instead directing city administration to put the property out to bid.

Share this story

Inter Miami is going for its second trophy in two months as it plays in the U.S. Open Cup Final tonight.

Driving the news: Inter will host Houston Dynamo FC at DRV PNK Stadium at 8:30pm.

What we're watching: Will Lionel Messi play?

• The Argentine star left last Wednesday's match early with discomfort from scar tissue in his leg and didn't play in Sunday's 1–1 tie against Orlando.
• It marked the third match, for club or country, that Messi had missed in the last two weeks.
• Inter coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino said Messi was day-to-day and it's unclear if he will play.
• Another midseason signing, defender Jordi Alba, is also expected to miss tonight's match with an injury.

What they're saying: "He doesn't need surgery or anything like that. It's just a matter of how much time the player needs to rest in order to play the next game," Martino told reporters yesterday about Messi. "If it wasn't a final, we wouldn't take any risks. But because it's a final, there is a chance we take that risk."

If you go: Even with Messi's status up in the air, tickets are going for between $169 and $5,990 on Ticketmaster.

What's next: Beyond this midseason tournament, Inter is on the hunt for the final playoff spot in its conference.

• The team is currently in 14th place and five points back.

Share this story

🏠 The Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro edged out Washington, D.C. to become the country's fifth most valuable housing market behind New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston, per a new report. (Zillow)

🗨️ Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to visit Florida International University tomorrow as part of her "Fight for Our Freedoms" college tour, which focuses on topics such as gun safety, climate action and book bans. (WSVN)

💶 Shakira has been accused of defrauding Spain of 6.6 million euros ($7.0 million) in taxes. She's already facing a separate November trial for allegedly failing to pay 14.5 million euros ($14.31 million) in taxes from a different time period. (Reuters)

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa inked a multiyear deal to serve as a global ambassador for Perry Ellis International.

What's happening: A clothing collaboration, Tua X Perry Ellis, is set to debut next summer.

• Designs will be inspired by Tua's Hawaiian-Samoan heritage and earthy elements like mountains, flora and the ocean, per a press release.

What they're saying: "This is a fun project for me. I appreciate the versatility, optimism and inclusion that Perry Ellis values through their designs and their business," Tagovailoa said in a statement announcing the partnership.

Of note: Perry Ellis is also teaming up with the Tua Foundation to help families in Maui affected by the recent wildfires.

Share this story

📬 You know the drill by now: Reply to this email with your best guess as to where our Axios Miami mascot, Manny, is frolicking.

• Everyone with the correct answer will be entered to win a random drawing for a free Axios tote bag. Good luck!