Beckham to Reveal MLS Franchise Plans Later this Year

David Beckham is expected to announce this year his plans to open a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion franchise later this year.

The former England captain had a clause in his contract with LA Galaxy that allowed him to take ownership of an MLS franchise for a set fee of $25 million. Beckham recently visited Miami recently with Bolivia-born billionaire Marcelo Claure who unsuccessfully attempted in 2009 to launch an MLS club in Florida with Barcelona FC.

Beckham, who recently retired from soccer, is quoted in The Sun as saying: “It will be in a few months maybe but it’s important to get it right. This is a big decision where I’ll have my franchise and how I’m going to do it. It’s something I’m excited about.”

Florida hasn’t had an MLS franchise since both the Fort Lauderdale-based Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny shuttered in 2001. The MLS will have 20 franchises in 2015 with the creation of New York FC, a joint venture between Manchester City and the New York Yankees.