MIAMI: David Beckham said the prospect of owning an Major League Soccer team in Miami was “exciting” after he was urged to help bring a new franchise to Miami at a meeting with key political leaders yesterday.
Beckham, accompanied by Bolivian born billionaire Marcelo Claure, who wants to team-up with him in owning a new franchise, visited two potential stadiums and met with the mayor of Miami-Dade County Carlos Gimenez, who handed him the keys to the county.
The former England captain, who retired from football last month, played in MLS with L.A Galaxy and his contract included an option to create a new team for $25m and he is understood to have other locations in mind as well.
But Beckham sounded positive about the chances of taking his step into club ownership in Miami.
“I think bringing an MLS team here to South Florida would be... it’s exciting,” Beckham told CBS4 News television.
“I think Miami fans are very passionate about their sports and very passionate about winning and of course, it would have to be success but it’s definitely exciting,” he said.
Miami Dade County commissioner Jose ‘Pepe’ Diaz said there was real backing for a team in Miami.
“There is huge political support. It is not only from the county, it’s 100 percent support from the municipalities, the mayors and the commissioner, the counselors from the different cities, they are also extremely supportive,” he said.
Beckham visited Sun Life stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, whose owner Stephen Ross recently set up a soccer division, and met with the Dolphins chief executive Mike Dee.
REUTERS
