David Beckham’s MLS team to build stadium in Miami’s Overtown district

With time running out on David Beckham‘s bid to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Miami, the soccer superstar’s negotiators are close to announcing a new deal for a stadium in Overtown, the Miami Herald is reporting.

According to the Miami Herald, Beckham’s group is also looking to acquire a plot of county-owned land just south of the site.

Miami Beckham United plan to build on about 9 acres of private and County-controlled land, a mostly vacant piece of property, within walking distance of public transport and the new Miami River District.

‘The private properties, which comprise the majority of the land, are under contract and we intend to purchase the County land at fair market value pending approval of our site by the MLS Board of Governors’.

“Because the stadium would be privately-owned, Miami Beckham United would be responsible for paying property taxes annually like any other private entity in Miami-Dade County”.

The expansion franchise, known as Miami Beckham United, made the announcement just a day before the MLS Board of Governors meets in Columbus, Ohio.

MLS could only be so patient waiting for Miami to put together a proper location for its team, and this appears to be a step in the right direction.

The former Manchester United midfielder hopes to turn Miami Beckham United into a super-club with the financial clout of Manchester City and Paris St-Germain and aims to attract the world’s top players. But several proposed sites were rebuffed after a $500 million baseball park for the Miami Marlins drew criticism for favouring the team’s wealthy owners.

Update 12:45 p.m.: Beckham’s group has confirmed that they are going to build a stadium on nine acres of land in Overtown. Attempts to reach Miami’s mayor on his cell phone have been unsuccessful, but City Manager Daniel Alfonso said he told a Beckham representative that “we’ll work with you”.

The land is owned by the county’s water and sewer department as well as private companies, which Beckham’s group has also approached about selling.

“We appreciate the support and patience of our fans who share David’s dream of fielding a world-class soccer club in Miami”, the statement said. “We’ve never been closer to making that vision a reality”.

Could the fourth time be the charm in David Beckham’s quest for a soccer stadium in Miami?