August 3 – After almost four years in the making, David Beckham’s dream of heading a new MLS team in Miami has moved a vital step closer to reality.
The former England, Manchester United and Real Madrid star met with MLS owners in Chicago on Wednesday and MLS commissioner Don Garber said afterwards Miami’s entrance to the league in 2020 could get the final green light in the autumn.
MLS lured the former England captain to the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 with a deal that included an option to purchase an expansion franchise.
The MLS Board of Governors have now agreed to authorise Garber and a committee of owners and league executives to “finalise the details” and later “officially close” on granting Beckham’s investment group, Miami Beckham United, an MLS expansion franchise.
In June, Miami-Dade County commissioners voted to allow Miami Beckham United to buy three acres of county land in order to build a 25,000-seater stadium. But he still needs league approval.
Beckham travelled to Chicago to meet MLS owners in person and Garber told a news conference afterwards: “We’re not announcing MLS Miami today, but I am confident we’ll be able to do that, perhaps by the end of the summer.”
Beckham will be a minority partner in the Miami franchise, with Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly serving as the majority owner.
“We’ve got a couple of issues we needed to work out. We’ve got some time to do (that),” Garber told Fox Sports during the broadcast of the MLS All-Stars vs Real Madrid match.
Miami Beckham United, the team’s working title, would become the MLS’s 24th team following next season’s launch of Los Angeles FC.
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