December 18 – David Beckham’s plans to move into club ownership in the US have taken a significant step forward after local Miami officials unanimously approved efforts to find a suitable stadium location in the city.
The vote by county commissioners was the first test of political support for Beckham’s prospective venture and came a few days after the MLS made it clear the former England captain and global superstar would not receive preference treatment for setting up a new team without a proper stadium deal.
Beckham retired in May after winding up his career with Paris St Germain following a successful spell with LA Galaxy. He is seeking to exercise a $25 million option in his MLS contract to start a new franchise.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid icon is reportedly interested in a 25-acre urban setting on a port site near downtown Miami and Tuesday’s vote was “a very positive step to bringing the world’s most popular game” to the city, said a spokesman for the Beckham ownership group.
“We greatly appreciate the support shown by the Miami-Dade County Commission and look forward to continuing to work with Mayor Carlos Gimenez, the Commission and David Beckham on finalising a plan for a new MLS stadium in Miami,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber added.
The award of a franchise to Miami would make it the second city in Florida to have an MLS franchise. Orlando City Soccer will be the 21st MLS franchise, after the NYCFC (New York City FC) franchise which will also make its debut in the 2015 season.
If a Miami franchise was awarded, and it look increasingly likely now that the city is backing the project with a stadium, that team would also target start play in the 2015 season.
Miami has previously held an MLS franchise, the Miami Fusion, which folded in 2001 after five seasons. Doubts over whether Miami residents would support a local side when the many of them are from outside the area and support other football teams, were raised at the time. The Miami Fusion also failed to relocate from Fort Lauderdale to a stadium in downtown Miami as originally planned – due to lack of support from the city.
But the appetite for football (soccer) in Miami may have changed with Brazil recently playing Honduras in a friendly in Miami which attracted more than 72,000 spectators to the Sun Life Stadium.
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