Miami-Dade County Reportedly Signs Nearly $1 Million GTA VI Marketing Deal With Rockstar Games

Grand Theft Auto VI is already taking plenty of inspiration from Miami, and now Miami-Dade County is reportedly getting involved in the game’s massive rollout. According to details shared about the agreement, the county has entered an almost $1 million marketing deal with Rockstar Games, the company behind GTA VI, which is set in the fictional Miami-inspired Vice City.

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One of the biggest pieces of the agreement is a proposed “Welcome to Vice City” sign at the Kaseya Center in downtown Miami. Part of the funding is also expected to go toward developing county-owned land behind the arena for community use, connecting the massive GTA VI promotion with a local development project.

The deal has already caused some debate among Miami-Dade commissioners. Commissioner Juan Carlos Bermudez proposed redirecting the money to the Sheriff’s Office, citing concerns about Grand Theft Auto’s focus on crime and violence. Commissioner Keon Hardemon defended the agreement, reportedly saying he plays the game himself and sees GTA VI as a major marketing opportunity for Miami.

The agreement was signed by the mayor under authority allowing approval of contracts valued at less than $1 million. Bermudez later withdrew his motion after the administration agreed to give commissioners more information about the agreement ahead of their next meeting. With GTA VI’s Vice City setting putting a fictional version of South Florida in front of a massive global audience, the reported partnership is already raising a bigger question for Miami residents: Is this a smart tourism and marketing opportunity, or is nearly $1 million tied to Grand Theft Auto taking things a little too far?