David Beckham Confirms Plan To Acquire MLS Franchise In Miami

(m) David Beckham

David Beckham has finally confirmed plans to acquire MLS franchise in Miami, though details remain vague on the timeline for the project.

Beckham’s ownership group will now work with MLS and Miami officials to finalise a deal for a soccer stadium to host the new team, with reports indicating that 2017, or possibly 2016, is being targeted as a launch date.

Beckham, who hung up his boots last year after a five-month stint at French Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain, will pay a discounted rate of $25m (€18.5m) to start the franchise. He has also pledged that he will not seek county or city funds for the construction of the venue.

Beckham secured the option of becoming an MLS team owner when he became the league’s marquee signing by joining the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007. The former England captain’s ownership group includes his business partner and long-time friend Simon Fuller. The remainder of the ownership group will be finalised over the coming months.

“Miami is a vibrant, diverse community that thrives on the same type of energy that fuels the international appeal of soccer, and I look forward to a dedicated, long-term partnership with this dynamic city and Major League Soccer," Beckham said. "My experience with the Galaxy is what convinced me that I wanted to one day own an MLS team and it is thrilling to now see that dream coming true.”

MLS has set a target of 24 teams by 2020 and, speaking in his state of the league address in December, Garber identified Atlanta, Minneapolis, San Antonio, St Louis and Austin, Texas, as possibilities for the final slots.