David Beckham Jumps Over Latest Hurdle in Pursuit of Miami MLS Franchise

David Beckham’s plans for a Miami Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise has stepped up a pace after after Miami-Dade county commissioners voted unanimously in support of a new, privately funded stadium.

Former LA Galaxy midfielder Beckham, who retired at the end of last season after a stint with Paris Saint-Germain, has spoken of his excitement at the prospect of a new Miami franchise in the MLS and told the BBC last month: “We’re almost there.”

On Tuesday, he moved a step closer as Miami mayor Carlos Gimenez got the vote from Miami-Dade county commissioners to identify potential sites for the new stadium and to negotiate construction contracts with developers. The resolution stipulates that the stadium be funded without county dollars and must pay rent if it ends up on public land, according to reports in the Miami Herald.

Gimenez said: “It gives a signal to Major League Soccer that we’re very interested in their coming here.”

MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement: “We greatly appreciate the support shown by the Miami-Dade County Commission and look forward to continuing to work with Mayor Gimenez, the Commission and David Beckham on finalising a plan for a new MLS stadium in Miami.”

A spokesman for Beckham told Reuters that the news was “a very positive step to bringing the world’s most popular game to Miami” and that the 38-year-old’s investment group was “exploring various sites in downtown Miami.”