By Andrew Warshaw
January 30 – It’s taken over four years but it’s finally happening. Not rumours, not heightened speculation but from the man himself. David Beckham’s long-awaited team in Miami is up and running.
The southern Florida city has already had an MLS team but it lasted only a couple of years before disbanding due to lack of attendances. But in an area with a huge Hispanic population, Beckham and MLS commissioner Don Garber believe it will be different this time.
“Bringing an MLS club to Miami has been a hell of a journey,” Beckham admitted during a tickertape celebration, the former England captain and global superstar conceding there were times he wondered whether the $25m million project would ever get off the ground.
“I’ve always believed in the project. That’s why, for me, I never gave up. I knew Miami was the city. I knew this was going to be special. There have been many (hurdles). I’m a persistent person and I don’t like to lose.”
Still to be decided is the team name, what colour it will wear, when it will actually start playing (the best bet is 2020) and when the stadium will open. But the main hurdle has now been cleared. “Hola, Miami,” Beckham said, acknowledging the Hispanic community.
What we do know is that Beckham’s team would be the league’s 24th as MLS expands to 28 franchises, that the ground will have a 25,000 capacity and include a training centre and academy.
“Our pledge to our fans in Miami and around the world is simple: your team will always strive to make you proud on the pitch, our stadium will be a place that you cherish visiting, and our impact in the community and on South Florida’s youth will run deep,” Beckham said. “We’ll be the best team. When I was awarded the team, there was only one city for me. Only one city, and it was here.”
MLS lured Beckham to the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 with a deal that included an option to purchase an expansion franchise. He began his bid to launch a team in Miami in early 2014 but encountered persistent complaints by residents. Finally, he has won the day.
“We know the right people are in place and the time is right for Miami to become a great Major League Soccer city,” said Garber during Monday’s public rally attended by local officials and fans. He later told reporters that the team was aiming for 2020 and could play at a temporary venue before a new stadium was built.
Along with Beckham, the club will be owned by Marcelo Claure, CEO of telecommunications company Sprint, Jorge and Jose Mas, Miami-based leaders of telecommunications and construction company MasTec; Masayoshi Son, founder and CEO of SoftBank; and entertainment entrepreneur Simon Fuller.
“This is something that has been a dream for many, many years,” Beckham said. “I was drawn to this city for the same reasons millions of people are – the diversity, the culture, the people, the weather, the beaches,” he said.
“We want to involve the fans from day one. So they have the opportunity to name their team to pick their colours and that’s what’s important to us and that’s why we haven’t announced everything today.”
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