A private developer called Palm Beach Sports Management has unveiled a plan to construct a $50 million to $60 million soccer‑specific stadium on the campus of Palm Beach State College, with an eye toward opening before July 1, 2027, just ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
A private vision for a new soccer hub
The facility would serve both professional and college soccer teams, as well as a variety of campus events, and would be built on land that the company would lease for 50 years. Palm Beach Sports Management says it will fund the project entirely without public dollars, a point the college’s chief legal officer says removes any legal exposure for the institution.
Trustee Dave Kerner, however, has repeatedly voiced concerns that the board is moving too quickly, arguing that the process lacks sufficient competition and transparency and could open the door to litigation.
Opposition and the push for a longer review
Kerner has voted against the proposal in multiple meetings and has pushed for a 180‑day extension of the approval timeline, contending that a longer review would protect the college and the county from costly lawsuits. He warns that rushing the project could set a precedent that undermines future public‑private partnerships.
The scheme also lists international polo star Nacho Figueres and several other investors as co‑owners of the United Soccer League’s Palm Beach franchise, which was launched in 2023 but still lacks a home ground or roster.
Stakeholders and the road ahead
Renee Noto, a former president of Brightstar Capital Partners, is identified as the primary contact for the development group, which also includes other partners such as Michael Cohen and Natalie Grainger. If approved, the stadium would join a growing list of sports‑related projects in the region, including the nearby SoFi Center, and could position Palm Beach County as a hub for soccer ahead of the global tournament.
The college’s legal counsel maintains that all procedural steps have been followed and that the institution faces no legal risk, but the ultimate decision will hinge on the board’s willingness to adopt the extended review Kerner advocates.