It’s been almost a year since international soccer icon David Beckham announced his plans for a Major League Soccer team in Miami. Since then, two different sites for a soccer stadium have been rejected and now, the Miami-Dade County commission wants Beckham’s team to temporarily use FIU’s stadium for the new franchise.
The Miami-Dade County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday for Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez to propose using FIU’s stadium as the team’s temporary home, according to the Miami Herald. Whether or not Miami Beckham United, the group behind the MLS team, is willing to have a temporary home remains to be seen.
The move comes more than a month after Beckham was warned by MLS Commissioner Don Garber that some concrete progress with the franchise needs to happen soon, according to the BBC.
“This can’t go on forever,” Garber told the BBC of the delays getting the franchise rolling.
According to the Miami Herald, Beckham’s lead negotiator said the group’s focus in finding a permanent home for the unnamed franchise. Previously, Beckham and MLS have said they want a stadium to be built downtown. MLS made the construction of a new stadium a requirement for the new franchise.
According to the Herald, Beckham’s group hasn’t committed to FIU or any other temporary site like Sun Life Stadium or Marlins Park.
Beckham’s team will enter the MLS at a time where the league’s revenue is struggling. According to the BBC, MLS Commissioner Garber said the league’s existing franchises are combining to lose more than $100 million per year.
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Plugging in the following Beckham has in the United States and around the world could be a much-needed shot in the arm for the league. If Beckham decided to play for his Miami franchise, as he hinted to the BBC he might, it would be a big public relations boost for the team and league.
Beckham told E! earlier this year that the franchise is “pretty close” to revealing certain items, possibly including logos, team colors, and other items; and that a stadium “will come after that.” According to the Herald, no deadline has been given by Beckham’s group or MLS for a stadium decision.
