Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is facing a $260,000 lawsuit after allegedly failing to pay rent and leaving a luxury Miami Beach mansion in disrepair. The lawsuit, filed in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court, claims Butler abandoned the $50,000-per-month waterfront estate three months early, leaving behind extensive property damage.
A Trail of Destruction?
According to court documents obtained exclusively, Butler leased the 10,000-square-foot Bay Point estate last December for a six-month term but fell behind on payments before vacating the home without notice. The property owner, now suing for $120,000 in unpaid rent, $112,000 in damages, and $28,000 in legal fees, alleges the NBA star left the mansion in shocking condition.
“My client returned to find conditions that can only be described as shocking,” said attorney Martin Goldstein, representing the homeowner. “Marble countertops were stained beyond repair, custom furniture was destroyed, and water damage was widespread.”
The lawsuit details an extensive list of damages, including:
• Infinity pool with cracked tiles and a broken filtration system
• Wine cellar with broken temperature controls and empty bottles scattered inside
• Designer kitchen appliances deemed “inoperable”
• Master bathroom fixtures allegedly ripped from the walls
• Extensive water damage to imported hardwood floors
High-Stakes Legal Battle
Butler, a six-time NBA All-Star, signed a three-year, $146 million contract extensionwith the Miami Heat in 2021. His representatives have yet to comment on the allegations.
This isn’t the first time South Florida’s luxury rental market has seen high-profile disputes involving celebrity tenants. With an influx of wealthy athletes and entertainers, property managers have tightened lease terms and increased security deposit requirements.
“The Miami luxury rental market operates in its own league,” said real estate analyst Sofia Velez. “These estates cater to the ultra-wealthy, but landlords are growing wary of tenants who don’t treat properties with care.”
Evidence and Fallout
The plaintiff’s legal team claims to have photo and video evidence of the home’s condition before and after Butler’s stay. Security footage allegedly captures unauthorized parties at the mansion, raising further concerns among Bay Point residents, who have called for stricter vetting of short-term renters.
“My client isn’t looking to make headlines,” Goldstein added. “They simply want to recover what was lost due to what can only be described as tenant negligence on a grand scale.”
The first court hearing is set for next month, but legal experts expect behind-the-scenes negotiations to settle the dispute quietly—keeping both Butler and the property owner out of further public scrutiny.