Miami-Dade Sheriff and Commissioner Opposed GTA 6 Promotion; Arena Deal Draws Scrutiny

Miami-Dade County’s sheriff and a county commissioner called publicly on September 3, 2026 for the county to reject any use of public resources to promote Grand Theft Auto VI.

Fifteen days later, in the early hours of an overnight budget hearing, several commissioners learned that Mayor Daniella Levine Cava had signed an agreement for a “Welcome to Vice City” sign on the county-owned Kaseya Center.

The September 3 objection came as a joint statement issued through the county by Commissioner Juan Carlos “JC” Bermudez, who represents District 12, and Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz. It opposed reports that the mayor’s office was exploring a partnership with Rockstar Games — including the reported possibility of temporarily rebranding Miami International Airport as “Vice City Airport.”

Bermudez did not dispute that the game would draw global attention to Miami-Dade; he said it undoubtedly would. His objection was to the county lending its facilities and its brand to a fictional version of Miami defined by crime. He asked the administration to disclose the public benefit, the costs and the county resources any partnership would involve.

Cordero-Stutz put it more bluntly: “Grand Theft Auto is a video game franchise built around criminal activity.”

The statement called for the county to reject the proposed promotion. It did not announce a contract cancellation.

What was on the table

The mayor’s office defended the idea the same day. In a statement reported by WSVN, it said: “Given Miami-Dade’s clear influence on the game, we think there could be a unique opportunity to generate revenue for the county while showcasing Miami-Dade to a massive audience.”

WSVN reported that the proposals under discussion included an aircraft wrapped in Vice City branding, a wrapped Metromover train and the game’s logo on manhole covers across the county.

Those remained proposals. The reports reviewed did not establish approval of the airport rebranding or any of the others.

The arena deal

The agreement reached commissioners during the county commission’s second budget hearing, which began Thursday afternoon and ran overnight into Friday, September 18.

Christopher Hudtwalcker, the mayor’s chief of staff, told them Rockstar was paying “close to $1 million” for the Kaseya Center sign, and that negotiations were underway for signs at other county properties.

The sign is planned for the arena roof, WLRN reported, in an arrangement involving the county, Rockstar, the Miami Heat and the Kaseya Center. Proceeds are intended to fund development of the county-owned parcel behind the arena — Dan Paul Plaza, known as Parcel B — long promised for community use.

The mayor signed it under her delegated authority to enter contracts under $1 million without board approval.

The pushback

Several commissioners said they had not known. Natalie Milian Orbis said she would have appreciated more information, noting she had learned of the discussions through the Miami Herald.

Bermudez moved to redirect the money to the Sheriff’s Office to help close a funding gap, arguing the game glorified crime. He withdrew the motion after the administration agreed to brief the commission before its next meeting. Commission Chairman Anthony Rodriguez said he needed more information, and Hudtwalcker committed to providing it.

Oliver Gilbert III raised a different objection — a structural one. He questioned whether the administration could sign a series of separate agreements with the same vendor, each falling under $1 million, and so avoid returning to the board at all.

Not everyone objected. Keon Hardemon, whose District 3 includes the Kaseya Center, said he had been briefed and thought the deal was a good idea.

What remains open

Local 10 reported that negotiations covered additional county properties, but did not identify them or the proposed terms.

Separately, Miami city commissioners gave initial approval to a downtown banner proposal on September 10, according to Miami Today. Miami Beach commissioners voted the same day to authorise negotiations for a separate promotional campaign. These municipal actions were separate from the county’s arena agreement.