Beckham To Buy MLS Franchise At End Of Career

Fresh from striking a unique ‘timeshare’ loan deal to extend his stay at AC Milan from current club LA Galaxy, David Beckham has refuted suggestions he is turning his back on the US by announcing that he plans to buy a Major League Soccer franchise at the end of his playing career.

Beckham, whose new loan deal will allow him to play for both Milan and the Galaxy given the different schedules of the two seasons, plans to exercise a clause in his contract allowing him to buy an MLS team when the agreement expires in 2011.

In revealing the existence of this clause, Beckham reiterated his ‘commitment to develop soccer in the United States, which is something I am passionate about’ and said his family will remain in LA.

If Beckham goes ahead with his plan to buy a franchise, the MLS would partner him with a patron with major financial clout.

The Seattle Sounders, whose majority owner is film executive Joe Roth and who have become the league’s newest addition, had to pay a $40m ‘franchise fee’ to join MLS for the 2009 season.

The Sounders will become the 15th team in the MLS when they join the league this season, Philadelphia will join in 2010 and there are plans to add two more franchises in 2011.

Vancouver, Ottawa, Portland and St Louis are in the running for the 2011 places.

Beckham would be unlikely to get involved with one of these bids with Las Vegas and San Diego the more likely destinations.