Becks’ Bucks Secure MLS Franchise In Miami
Former England captain David Beckham has announced he has exercised his right to buy a Major League Soccer franchise, confirming – as expected – that the new club will be based in Miami, Florida.
Speaking at the announcement on Wednesday, whose attendees included MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, the former Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, PSG and LA Galaxy star said: ‘Me and my partners are very excited by this project. Miami is a very vibrant city with a lot of passion. I know Miami is ready to be successful this time.’
Florida has not been the home of a top-flight soccer side since the dissolution of both the Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2001.
Beckham continued: ‘There was a team ten years ago, which unfortunately folded. I know this city is ready for soccer this time around, I know this is going to be successful.’
‘I have worked hard throughout my whole career and I am going to work hard for this city and for this league, to make this team very successful. We are going to make a soccer club that is going to be loved by millions of people. We plan on bringing a team that is not just for Miami but is a global team.’
‘I have worked with some of the biggest clubs and greatest players and this is a dream.’
Beckham, who has won the Champions League, the Premier League, La Liga and Ligue 1, would not confirm any names of players he wants to attract to Miami but added: ‘We will bring great players in. The fortunate thing about my career is players are already interested in coming to Miami.’
‘The one thing I want to achieve is to set up a kids’ academy. We want local talent, not just great players from abroad. The way the US team have improved has been incredible and the only way that will continue is to have good academies.’
Beckham’s MLS contract, negotiated in 2007 when he signed for the LA Galaxy, contained a clause enabling him to purchase a franchise for a discounted fee of US$25 million.
However, in order to assemble a competitive team and build a new stadium, he will still require significant financial support, with long-time manager Simon Fuller one of the names partnering him on the project. Beckham also clarified that the stadium would not require public funding.
Since its foundation in 1993 as a ten-team competition, the MLS has undergone constant expansion, with Garber announcing during his halftime interview at the 2013 MLS All-Star Game that the league – currently consisting of 19 teams – had set itself the ambitious goal of having 24 sides by 2020.
The 20th and 21st spots have already been filled by New York City FC – a joint venture between Premier League club Manchester City FC and the New York Yankees – and Orlando City Soccer Club, who will join the league at the beginning of the 2015 season.
No date has been set for when the Miami side would enter the MLS.
