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There are reports suggesting that David Beckham could be in an advanced stage of discussions with Major League Soccer to build an extension franchise in Miami, Florida. As is already known, the iconic star wound down his playing career with a five month stint at Paris Saint-Germain towards the end of last season. The MLS currently has 19 teams and the league is keen to expand to accommodate up to 24 teams.
The move will mark the beginning of a new phase in the life of a star who boasts of an immense band of followers that span across a multitude of geographies in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas. AP has reported through Rob Harris that an unnamed source has confirmed the development, though there is yet to be any statements issued by either Beckham or the MLS.
Beckham’s move to LA Galaxy in 2007 afforded him an opportunity to gain ownership in the league at an appropriate time. By making good on the contractual opportunity, Beckham might only need to shell out a discounted fee in order to gain permission to create a new team. With Simon Fuller, the television producer who created the Idol franchise, in his camp raising money is going to be the least of Beckham’s problems.
The one thing that shall weigh heavy on the minds of Beckham and his band of wealthy investors will be the fact that the Miami franchise was tried and disbanded in the first half of the last decade due to lukewarm support from fans. But the MLS has grown in strength since then and a combination of Beckham’s unrivalled star power and Fuller’s proven ability to create television products should augur well for what might turn out to be the 21st team in the fledgling American league.
Don Garber, the MLS commissioner has been working diligently behind the scenes to fulfil his expansion plans. He has already ensured that a 20th team will take the field, reportedly in 2015. English Premier League giants Manchester City and the much loved baseball franchise New York Yankees had combined to create the New York City Football Club by paying a $100mn fee to the league.
It is understood that Beckham might only be needed to pay a discounted fee of $25mn to own the team in Miami. If confirmed, Beckham will need a few hundred millions dollars to set up the organisation and initiate work on a stadium to house the club.
The Executive Vice President of the MLS, Dan Courtemanche told the AP, “We know that Miami is one of the most passionate soccer markets in North America. We have met with David Beckham regarding ownership of an expansion team, and we look forward to David one day owning an MLS club.”
Having grown up under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, Beckham’s experiences in the Premier League and later with Real Madrid and AC Milan should help the Englishman create a club with pedigree and promise in the seasons to come. It is unlikely though that the team could start playing before the 2016 season, at the earliest.
With a thriving fan base spread across the globe, Beckham’s next move will be watched with great interest around the world.
