David Beckham’s Miami Franchise close to acquiring Stadium approval

Former England international David Beckham is on the cusp of obtaining approval for the Major League Soccer expansion club in Miami, league commissioner Don Garber has revealed.


Beckham has openly revealed his plans to bring a franchise in Miami, and his expansion bid is on the agenda at an MLS owners meeting on Wednesday.

The approval is entirely based on a vote which could end a prolonged saga of more than three and a half years during which the 42-year-old has struggled to find a site where he could build up the new stadium whilst also securing land to house the team.

Speaking in the Miami Herald on Tuesday, Garber admitted that the move is now 'at the finish line' provided all things go the right way, he said: “We are at the finish line after nine years of work to be sure, if we go to Miami, we get it right. David had an option, but that option couldn’t be exercised without having him satisfy all the things that all team owners need to satisfy — the right capital structure with his partners, the right stadium plan, the right marketing and business plans — and we’re at that point where I think we are getting ready to make the decisions internally to go forward.”

However, Garber insisted that the deal may not get its full approval in midweek as Beckham and his partners may have to meet additional requirements including zoning charges which the local government leaders must approve. Beckham's co-investors have benefited from the fact that the former Englishman paid a reduced MLS entry fee of $25m, and this has not gone well with some owners with the league now asking at least $150 million from new investor groups. Miami Beckham United is expected to have its 25,000-seated stadium constructed prior to the start of 2020 MLS season whilst it could probably host the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup.