51 June 26 – July 2, 2025 NEW TIMES miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES B E S T º F M I A M I ® 2 0 2 5 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com home runs in Miami every season since 2021, even in years when he saw 200 to 300 at-bats, Sanchez upped the ante in 2024 with 18 dingers and 64 RBIs in under 500 at- bats — not too shabby for a player that is still in his mid-20s and finally getting more looks at the plate. Sometimes, Sanchez can re- mind Marlins fans of a prime Gary Sheffield, even when the scoreboard doesn’t meet Sheffield-era expectations. Beyond the stats, Sanchez’s energy resonates most with the team, a trait sorely needed in seasons that can look bleak with miles to go. He plays with joy, hustle, and a positivity that fans can’t help but root for. While the Fish may still be figuring out their future, San- chez gives hope that the next generation of Marlins stars is already here. BEST COACH Paul Maurice Florida Panthers nhl.com/panthers When you win two championships, you win the Miami New Times Coach of the Year. That’s just science. Paul Maurice took the Florida Panthers from playoff hopefuls to back-to-back Stanley Cup champions in just a couple of years. His steady — if at times unconventional — leadership and calm confidence were pre- cisely what the Panthers needed to break through and bring glory to Sunrise. Beloved by players and fans alike, Maurice has man- aged to get the best out of his team when it mattered most, guiding them through the chaos of must-win playoff games on the way to back-to-back Stanley Cup wins over the Edmonton Oilers. His poise and pur- pose were enough to keep the boat steady in choppy waters. We may not live in a tradi- tional hockey town, but it’s now a two-time- champion one. And you know the rest of the NHL is pissed. You love to see it. BEST TEAM OWNER Vincent J. Viola Florida Panthers nhl.com/panthers A decade ago, few could have imagined the Florida Panthers as a back-to-back Stanley Cup champion. But under Vincent J. Viola’s leadership, that’s the timeline we live in. And when you win a championship in South Florida, you get all the accolades. Specifi- cally, when you’re an owner who can turn an ice hockey team in steamy South Florida (of all places!) into the model the rest of the NHL is feverishly working to emulate. Vio- la’s commitment to building a sustainable, respected organization, with smart front-of- fice hires like general manager Bill Zito and head coach Paul Maurice, and ensuring the team has the funds to trade for (and retain) players like Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett, has turned the Panthers into the pride of South Florida. He’s not a loud owner, and you probably couldn’t spot him in a CVS picking up his medications, but he’s an effective steward of the franchise, prov- ing that vision and patience can win in pro- fessional sports. BEST GLOW-UP Miami Women’s Sports Scene What started as a slow uptick in women’s sports this year turned into a full-on glow-up. Fort Lauderdale United kicked off its inaugu- ral season, becoming the first pro women’s soccer team in the area. Unrivaled, which al- ready signed on for a second season in Mi- ami, also launched a historic first season featuring some of the WNBA’s biggest stars. Local athletes like UM’s Cavinder twins, wa- ter polo phenom Ashleigh Johnson, and hometown tennis hero Coco Gauff have been making their marks both on and off their re- spective sporting areas. With investors and media outlets finally catching on, we antici- pate this glow-up is far from complete. BEST SPORTS RADIO PERSONALITY Alex Solana 560 WQAM instagram.com/alexmsolana Whether producing the Hoch and Crowder show on 560 WQAM or working as executive producer for Miami Dolphins radio broad- casts, Alex Solana is the quintessential showroom example of what new-age fans love to see in their sports media. He’s a local guy — a graduate of Florida International University — and has grown up in the local land- scape, dating back to 2016. Solana, offering his takes on all things Miami sports, brings a blend of humor, insight, and genuine fandom that makes him both lovable and hilarious. He’s not afraid to be passionate or poke fun, making his voice resonate with the diehard fans who devour AM sports radio in 2025. He’s become a trusted part of South Florida sports talk, one hot take – or bit seg- ment – at a time. BEST SPORTS REPORTER Barry Jackson Miami Herald miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns- blogs/barry-jackson Can we make this a lifetime achievement award already? Barry Jackson, who’s been covering South Florida sports for nearly four decades, deserves all the accolades, some of which have yet to be invented. When Barry Jackson reports something, you listen. And, most importantly, you take it to the bank be- cause he does it the old way — be right, not first. With decades of experience covering the local teams for the Miami Herald, Jack- son remains the gold standard of local re- porting. From behind-the-scenes Heat updates to detailed Dolphins coverage, his scoops are legendary, and his credibility is unmatched. Chances are, if you see a player in a picture or video giving an interview, Jackson is either the person off-camera ask- ing the question or in the picture patiently waiting to get something off his chest. He’s everywhere, all the time, all at once. Jackson doesn’t just break news; he builds trust. Barry Jackson is essential reading for fans who crave a throwback to the way media used to be. And Miami can’t begin to under- stand how lucky we’ve been to have his eyes and ears on its local teams since the ‘90s. BEST SPORTSCASTER Jason Jackson Miami Heat instagram.com/heathost Nobody embodies #HEATCulture quite like Jason Jackson. Whether he’s calling games, hosting postgame interviews, or dropping one-liners that go viral among fans, “Jax” is the voice — and face — of Miami Heat basket- ball. After a long stint as the team’s on-the- court familiar face as a sideline reporter, Jax has since moved to the radio booth where his voice has become the warm hug Heat fans have become accustomed to as they drive home from work or head to the game. His deep knowledge of the game — and the Heat organization — is only matched by his cha- risma, warmth, and genuine love for the city and team he represents. Jackson has made it his career goal to narrate the story of a fran- chise with passion and pride. There’s a reason Heat Nation sees him as family, regardless of whether he’s on their television or their radio. BEST MEDIA NEWCOMER Giselle Espinales NBC 6 instagram.com/giselle_espinales In just a few short years, Giselle Espinales has made a mark in South Florida’s sports media landscape. Since joining NBC 6 in March 2021, Giselle has quickly become an energetic and, more importantly, trusted reporter that viewers trust to capture the essence of every sports moment. Whether she’s reporting from the studio or right where the action unfolds, Espinales has quickly become a familiar voice — one that doesn’t just sound like she supports the local teams, but, as longtime followers know, genuinely does. A proud Miami native, Giselle’s journey from Miami Springs Senior High to the University of Miami and, eventually, NBC, is the model example for younger journalism students of what dedication to climbing the local ranks the traditional way — with hard work and patience — can produce. Espinales, who has openly shared that the Marlins winning the World Series in 2003 and Dwyane Wade getting drafted to the Miami Heat the same year inspired her interest in sports journalism, is simply the best. BEST REASON TO STAY IN MIAMI FOR THE SUMMER Miami Beach Classical Music Festival multiple area locations miamimusicfestival.com Miami may be a sticky, hot oven every sum- mer, but even so, the Miami Beach Classical Music Festival (MMF) makes those steamy days and nights a time to hunker down and start hydrating. MMF transforms the city into a vibrant stage for more than 70 perfor- mances, including concerts, full opera pro- ductions, Zarzuela, musical theater and more. Set against the backdrop of iconic ven- ues like the Faena Forum and Lummus Park, you get to explore the city in ways you maybe haven’t before. The festival offers immersive experiences that blend classical masterpieces with cutting-edge technology, and you can revel in the talents of some of the world’s most gifted young classical musicians. Around 200 are chosen each year from a pool of 1,500 applicants from 25 countries to per- form. This year, the cultural deluge begins July 4 and runs through August 3. BEST ROAD TO AVOID I-95 between I-595 and State Road 84 Driving in South Florida can feel like you’re in a video game, on some days it’s like Mario Kart and others, Grand Theft Auto. The latter is how you drive down the mile of I-95 between I-595 and State Road 84. In 2022, it was named the deadliest mile in the U.S. by the Seattle per- sonal injury law firm Elk and Elk and the data analysis agency 1Point21. To make this deci- sion, they scoured 20 years of data on highway accidents and found that, nationwide, this dan- gerous section of I-95 is about 50 times more deadly than any other highway mile. There were 24 highway-related deaths there from 2000 to 2019. Factors such as constant construction rerouting, impaired driv- ing, speeding, and the sharp right- angle turn onto Marina Boulevard played a major role in the volume of crashes. The mile’s proximity to the Fort Lauderdale-Holly- wood International Airport invites a slew of drivers from all over the world — most of whom have little to no experience with the lawless atti- tudes of Miami drivers or navigating South Florida’s network of senseless highways. BEST MILE OF MIAMI MiMo Biscayne Boulevard at night Biscayne Boulevard from NE 50th Street to NE 77th Street Miami 33138 mimoboulevard.org From the Coppertone Girl to the Seven Seas Motel, MiMo is the most iconic Miami mile. MiMo is “Miami Modern,” the Magic City’s tropical interpretation of postwar interna- tional architectural style. The MiMo Biscayne Boulevard Historic District, which runs along Biscayne Boulevard a few miles north of downtown, has well-preserved and newly renovated examples of this style. In the past decade or so, hoteliers, restaurateurs, and other small business owners breathed new life into this strip with spots that celebrate lo- cal flair, with Blue Collar and the Vagabond Hotel leading the way. At night, the many midcentury hotels and retro restaurants are lit with the beautiful glow of neon signs, creating an atmosphere that is uniquely Miami. 2000 to 2019. Factors such as constant construction rerouting, impaired driv- ing, speeding, and the sharp right- angle turn onto Marina Boulevard played a major role in the volume of crashes. The mile’s proximity back-to-back Stanley Cup champions in just times unconventional — leadership producer for Miami Dolphins radio broad- casts, Alex Solana is the quintessential showroom example of what new-age fans love to see in their sports media.
