By Ben Nicholson
June 12 – The prospect of a Miami Beckham United gracing the MLS stumbled again after their plan B soccer stadium proposal has been shot down.
Plan A was to build a waterfront stadium but this was defeated by unappeased local businessman. Plan B was to fill in a water basin, which was still pleasantly proximal to the shoreline, but now this idea has withered after the words of Miami’s mayor Tomas Regalado who described the selected location as “inappropriate”.
Beckham’s group was clearly disappointed, saying: “Miami Beckham United presented a financial offer that included a privately funded stadium, fair payments for the use of the land, and zero City or County dollars. The Mayor and City Manager considered the proposal to be generous, though no negotiations took place.
Mayor Regalado and the City Manager expressed their strong desire to bring professional soccer to Miami and their deep respect for David Beckham and his partners.”
The statement from Miami Beckham United said the group “will spend the coming months weighing alternatives.”
Regalado was, and supposedly still is, a supporter for Beckham’s plans, but looks likely to have been put off by local residents who disapproved of their prospective neighbor. Evidence of this sentiment is found in the windows of some local homes where signs of protest are displayed.
The plans require voter approval, so perhaps Regalado has saved Beckham’s group the trouble of spending time and money on a doomed location.
The proposed stadium was close to NBA team Miami Heat’s American Airlines Arena, which became an issue since the stadium plans neglected to provide any additional parking to the area.
John Alschuler, the group’s lead negotiator, had been more optimistic about public approval than the mayor. “We respect the mayor’s decision, but we believe it would have been a great site – there was incredible passion in the community for it… I think it’s a disappointment and a lost opportunity for the city,” he said.
The group’s statement explains to a degree why Alschuler would feel a little hard done by: “Our package was the most equitable soccer stadium proposal that Miami, or any other city in America, has ever seen – 100% privately funded without any local taxpayers money.”
Beckham had recently been trying to drum up support for his Miami plans by saying he will create “something special” for the city. He was unfazed by opposing cries, stating: “If we get the public support it can be incredible but if we don’t we will find a way to turn them around and make them realize that this is a great thing and we are not here to take their money.”
However, the “generous” offer failed to appease the skepticism that Miami residents have towards the construction of new stadiums. In 2012 the Miami Marlins, a Major League Baseball franchise, finished building a stadium that cost approximately $525 million. It drew upon support from the Miami community, and has given little back. Support for the team has been disappointingly weak.
Beckham was previously reported as showing disinterest in an inland base for his team, and with the waterfront options seemingly exhausted, the future of Miami Beckham United is unsure.
It has certainly curtailed the excitement surrounding the franchise, and has halted the rumors that have been precariously floating around in the unsubstantial air. Little more can be speculated about whether LeBron James, Miami Heat superstar, will join the ownership team, whether David Moyes will be persuaded to manage the team, and whether, more sensationally, Beckham will come out of retirement to play for the team.
Beckham said during his stay in Miami that he was happy that he never went into politics, and judging by his recent success in this realm it was probably a wise decision.
On the plus side, this may leave open more time for Beckham to pursue his other ambitions for creating a chain of ‘Beckham’s Bistro’ restaurants across the US.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734792348labto1734792348ofdlr1734792348owedi1734792348sni@n1734792348osloh1734792348cin.n1734792348eb1734792348