Former international football star David Beckham embarks on a new endeavor in his already impressive career: owning a Major League Soccer team here in Miami. Beckham also plans to build a state-of-the-art stadium near Miami International Airport.
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Beckham officially became one of the team’s owners earlier this year. Neither Beckham nor his partners have announced the official name of the new team, but the media and MLS fans have speculated that it could be called “Miami Freedom.” The name most likely stems from the famous Freedom Tower on Biscayne Boulevard.
Beckham and business partner Jorge Mas plan to reconstruct Melreese Country Club, a public golf course near Miami International Airport, to plant the city’s second professional soccer team. The first time Miami natives saw their own MLS team was the Miami Fusion. The franchise only lasted in the league from 1998 to 2001. It disbanded due to low attendance. Beckham and his partners hope to rewrite history with a successful, fan-friendly franchise. The proposed stadium complex is said to include 25,000 seats, youth soccer fields, restaurants, stores and hotels. Three Miami commissioners voted in favor of a referendum to be held in November while two commissioners voted against the notion. If all goes according to Beckham’s plan, the new Miami-based franchise is set to join the MLS in 2020.
This isn’t the first time the MLS has seen Beckham soar. After an absolutely stellar career playing for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and the English National Football Team, Beckham headed over to the U.S. to play for the L.A. Galaxy. His move to the states was an attempt to help popularize soccer in America. He won two titles with the L.A. Galaxy before signing with Paris Saint-Germain in 2013.
