By FRANCO PANIZO
Things are starting to move along in Miami.
A week after David Beckham’s ownership group deemed a site near Marlins Park suitable for the construction of a soccer-specific stadium, city of Miami commissioners unanimously voted in favor of allowing discussions to begin between local officials and Beckham and his partners.
This development gives Beckham’s ownership group, Miami Beckham United, a needed public vote of confidence ahead of its meeting next week with MLS’s board of governors at the annual all-star game. Beckham’s discounted option to buy an expansion franchise in the league was reportedly set to expire in three months, but MLS has stated for some time now that the group just needs a stadium plan in place to officially award Miami Beckham United a team.
“They had an ultimatum from MLS that they have to exercise their option to buy the team,” said Miami mayor Tomas Regalado,” and to do it they just need some kind of recognition that they’re talking to (the city) that does want to talk to them about the possibility of building the stadium.”
Last week, Miami Beckham United finally expressed interest in the site near Marlins Park just two miles west of the downtown area. The group had been relatively quiet for months regarding a location – even as city officials urged them to consider the land in Little Havana – but sent a letter on this week that said it was willing to build a privately-financed stadium in that part of the city.
“While there is still work to be done, including completing the land assembly, we firmly believe that we can build a world-class stadium at the site,” Miami Beckham United’s letter read.
Beckham initially announced his plans to launch an expansion franchise in Miami in February 2014. MLS currently has one slot left before it fills the 24-team quota it wanted to hit by the end of the decade, though it is still unclear what will happen with Minnesota United’s expansion efforts.
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What do you make of this development? Starting to think a Miami stadium will get done? Are you excited about that for the league, or would you prefer to see another city like Sacramento be given an expansion club?
Share your thoughts below.