February 18 – Inter Miami, the new MLS franchise where David Beckham is an owner has reportedly secured a £180 million sponsorship deal with Qatar.
Rumour that Beckham had been courting the Qataris surfaced last month. The deal cover the club’s shirt sponsorship and will include naming rights to the Freedom Park Stadium that will beome Inter Miami’s home once it is completed in 2020.
The club play their first game in the MLS on March against Los Angeles (LAFC). Home games will be played for two seasons at the renovated Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, the home of the Miami Fusion, the last attempt at a Miami-based MLS franchise but which failed.
Inter Miami will also run a development team in the USL’s Division three, the third tier of professional US soccer.
Beckham finished his playing career at Qatar-owned Paris St Germain and has maintained links with the Gulf state and been supportive of their 2022 World Cup hosting. A frequent visitor, rumours of the deal first surfaced in December last year when he attended the Club World Cup.
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