This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/feb/05/david-beckham-superstar-mates-miami-new-mls-team

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
David Beckham may tempt superstar mates to Miami for new MLS team David Beckham may tempt superstar mates to Miami for new MLS team
(35 minutes later)
As David Beckham confirmed his plan to set up a Major League Soccer team in Miami, the former England captain dangled the prospect of superstars joining the new Florida franchise.As David Beckham confirmed his plan to set up a Major League Soccer team in Miami, the former England captain dangled the prospect of superstars joining the new Florida franchise.
“Who wouldn’t want to play in Miami, live in Miami?” Beckham said of the players who are apparently already clamouring to become part of the 22nd and newest franchise in MLS. “I’m getting messages saying, ‘When’s it happening? When can we get there?’ I know this city is ready for football.”“Who wouldn’t want to play in Miami, live in Miami?” Beckham said of the players who are apparently already clamouring to become part of the 22nd and newest franchise in MLS. “I’m getting messages saying, ‘When’s it happening? When can we get there?’ I know this city is ready for football.”
As the Miami team moves from vision to reality, speculation is bound to swirl around which players (and former players) may join Beckham: will former Manchester United colleagues such as Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes be tempted to Miami? Or former England colleague Frank Lampard, frequently mentioned as a future MLS recruit? Or, given Miami's south and central American outlook, will former Brazilian teammates be more of a draw?As the Miami team moves from vision to reality, speculation is bound to swirl around which players (and former players) may join Beckham: will former Manchester United colleagues such as Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes be tempted to Miami? Or former England colleague Frank Lampard, frequently mentioned as a future MLS recruit? Or, given Miami's south and central American outlook, will former Brazilian teammates be more of a draw?
Beckham declined to name names, saying it would be "disrespectful", but is already pushing the team as a superstar brand by tempting Miami's NBA MVP LeBron James to become involved.Beckham declined to name names, saying it would be "disrespectful", but is already pushing the team as a superstar brand by tempting Miami's NBA MVP LeBron James to become involved.
Beckham presented his vision for the future of professional soccer in Miami on Wednesday as the commissioner of MLS welcomed the former England captain’s decision to formally exercise the franchise ownership option he was granted when he signed for the LA Galaxy.Beckham presented his vision for the future of professional soccer in Miami on Wednesday as the commissioner of MLS welcomed the former England captain’s decision to formally exercise the franchise ownership option he was granted when he signed for the LA Galaxy.
With the picturesque Miami waterfront as a backdrop, and standing beneath the tropical foliage dangling from the pergola of the city’s brand new Perez Arts Museum, Beckham spoke passionately of a bright new beginning for the sport in “the world’s most vibrant city” that would follow his creation of a brand new club.With the picturesque Miami waterfront as a backdrop, and standing beneath the tropical foliage dangling from the pergola of the city’s brand new Perez Arts Museum, Beckham spoke passionately of a bright new beginning for the sport in “the world’s most vibrant city” that would follow his creation of a brand new club.
It was, he said, “a deeply personal project, I want to make it my own team.” He promised some of the world’s greatest players, a top-class coach, a Kids Academy to develop the stars of tomorrow, and a successful and community-focused club in the heart of the city’s downtown area that already hosts the basketball championship-winning Miami Heat.It was, he said, “a deeply personal project, I want to make it my own team.” He promised some of the world’s greatest players, a top-class coach, a Kids Academy to develop the stars of tomorrow, and a successful and community-focused club in the heart of the city’s downtown area that already hosts the basketball championship-winning Miami Heat.
Don Garber, the MLS commissioner, was no less enthusiastic at the well-attended press conference, praising a player whom he said had “set the stage” for the rise in soccer’s popularity in the United States since his championship-winning spell in Los Angeles.Don Garber, the MLS commissioner, was no less enthusiastic at the well-attended press conference, praising a player whom he said had “set the stage” for the rise in soccer’s popularity in the United States since his championship-winning spell in Los Angeles.
“He’s had an incredible impact on our sport in this country,” Garber said. “As a player he kept us on the edge of our seats. He’s incredibly focused and incredibly smart. Very few people have that focus that enables him to translate what made him a great athlete into what will make him a great owner.”“He’s had an incredible impact on our sport in this country,” Garber said. “As a player he kept us on the edge of our seats. He’s incredibly focused and incredibly smart. Very few people have that focus that enables him to translate what made him a great athlete into what will make him a great owner.”
Garber added: "This is the first time in the modern era that an ex-athlete has joined the ranks of owner. As a player and ambassador for MLS he's had an amazing impact on our league. He helped motivate champions like Thierry Henry come to the MLS."Garber added: "This is the first time in the modern era that an ex-athlete has joined the ranks of owner. As a player and ambassador for MLS he's had an amazing impact on our league. He helped motivate champions like Thierry Henry come to the MLS."
Cheered on by 40 to 50 vocal South Florida fans, most waving specially prepared MLS Miami scarves, Beckham addressed the “bumps in the road” that he said would make the next two to three years hard work until the as-yet unnamed Miami franchise is ready to take to field.Cheered on by 40 to 50 vocal South Florida fans, most waving specially prepared MLS Miami scarves, Beckham addressed the “bumps in the road” that he said would make the next two to three years hard work until the as-yet unnamed Miami franchise is ready to take to field.
Chief among them is the construction of a new 25,000-seat stadium in Miami that will host his new venture. Beckham, who landed the franchise for a cut-price $25 million as part of his MLS contract, has partnered with entertainment impresario Simon Fuller and Bolivian telecoms billionaire Marcelo Claure to raise the funds and promised: “We do not want public funding.”Chief among them is the construction of a new 25,000-seat stadium in Miami that will host his new venture. Beckham, who landed the franchise for a cut-price $25 million as part of his MLS contract, has partnered with entertainment impresario Simon Fuller and Bolivian telecoms billionaire Marcelo Claure to raise the funds and promised: “We do not want public funding.”
Yet they group still needs the backing of the Miami-Dade commission, which still has criticism ringing in its ears over the recent construction of Miami Marlins’ baseball stadium that some critics say will leave taxpayers on the hook for more than $1 billion.Yet they group still needs the backing of the Miami-Dade commission, which still has criticism ringing in its ears over the recent construction of Miami Marlins’ baseball stadium that some critics say will leave taxpayers on the hook for more than $1 billion.
Despite having looked at several sites in the city, especially vacant commission-owned land at the Port of Miami that could be leased, and which Beckham favours, he admitted that no deal was yet in place for construction to begin.Despite having looked at several sites in the city, especially vacant commission-owned land at the Port of Miami that could be leased, and which Beckham favours, he admitted that no deal was yet in place for construction to begin.
In fact, Carlos Gimenez, the Miami-Dade mayor, confessed that he had only begun formal discussions with the Beckham group a week ago, and that they had still only got as far as talking about how to proceed. But Gimenez, who at one point started talking about “Mr Beckman”, said he did not anticipate any hold-ups. “There is political support to get this done,” he said.In fact, Carlos Gimenez, the Miami-Dade mayor, confessed that he had only begun formal discussions with the Beckham group a week ago, and that they had still only got as far as talking about how to proceed. But Gimenez, who at one point started talking about “Mr Beckman”, said he did not anticipate any hold-ups. “There is political support to get this done,” he said.
MLS rules dictate that a stadium deal must be in place for franchise ownership to be confirmed and to move forward, but there seems to be little prospect of the league placing obstacles in Beckham’s way, even if it means the team must play its first season or two at a rented ground, such as Marlins Park, while its own stadium is finished.MLS rules dictate that a stadium deal must be in place for franchise ownership to be confirmed and to move forward, but there seems to be little prospect of the league placing obstacles in Beckham’s way, even if it means the team must play its first season or two at a rented ground, such as Marlins Park, while its own stadium is finished.
“We will be in downtown,” Beckham said. “You can’t build a stadium in six months but once we have a site and work with the mayor and the commissioners, we will be quick. Hopefully.”“We will be in downtown,” Beckham said. “You can’t build a stadium in six months but once we have a site and work with the mayor and the commissioners, we will be quick. Hopefully.”
Meanwhile, despite Beckham’s assurances that his group would not seek county taxpayers’ money for the stadium, he has appointed a lobbyist in Tallahassee to explore options for securing state subsidies that other professional sports teams in Florida have enjoyed.Meanwhile, despite Beckham’s assurances that his group would not seek county taxpayers’ money for the stadium, he has appointed a lobbyist in Tallahassee to explore options for securing state subsidies that other professional sports teams in Florida have enjoyed.
Wednesday's announcement comes at a busy time for the sport in Miami. The city is aiming to reestablish itself as a hub for the game nationally, and announced on Tuesday the line-up for this summer’s Guinness International Champions Cup at the Miami Dolphins’ Sun Life Stadium. Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Liverpool FC, AS Roma and Olympiacos will face off in the tournament in August, two months after England complete their pre-World Cup warm-up with two friendlies there, against Ecuador and Honduras.Wednesday's announcement comes at a busy time for the sport in Miami. The city is aiming to reestablish itself as a hub for the game nationally, and announced on Tuesday the line-up for this summer’s Guinness International Champions Cup at the Miami Dolphins’ Sun Life Stadium. Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Liverpool FC, AS Roma and Olympiacos will face off in the tournament in August, two months after England complete their pre-World Cup warm-up with two friendlies there, against Ecuador and Honduras.
Last summer, 67,000 fans saw Real Madrid beat Chelsea 3-1 in Miami, and 71,000 watched Brazil play Honduras, the largest crowd ever for a soccer game in the state. Beckham said the revitalisation of interest in the sport in South Florida was a far cry from 13 years ago, when Miami Fusion, the last professional MLS team to play in the region, folded after losing more than $15 million in only three seasons. Garber acknowledged that no other city in the country had been awarded such a “second chance” with a new franchise after the demise of a previous one through lack of interest.Last summer, 67,000 fans saw Real Madrid beat Chelsea 3-1 in Miami, and 71,000 watched Brazil play Honduras, the largest crowd ever for a soccer game in the state. Beckham said the revitalisation of interest in the sport in South Florida was a far cry from 13 years ago, when Miami Fusion, the last professional MLS team to play in the region, folded after losing more than $15 million in only three seasons. Garber acknowledged that no other city in the country had been awarded such a “second chance” with a new franchise after the demise of a previous one through lack of interest.
Alfredo Cevallos, 40, a Fort Lauderdale-based fan among those at today’s event, said he was delighted at the return of professional soccer to Miami.Alfredo Cevallos, 40, a Fort Lauderdale-based fan among those at today’s event, said he was delighted at the return of professional soccer to Miami.
“We’ve been waiting a long time for this moment,” he said. “We’re thankful to Beckham for bringing his team here and his star power is a big part of making this work. He’ll fill the seats.”“We’ve been waiting a long time for this moment,” he said. “We’re thankful to Beckham for bringing his team here and his star power is a big part of making this work. He’ll fill the seats.”
MLS, which will begin its 19th season in March, currently features 19 clubs with teams in New York City and Orlando set to join in 2015.