MLS Awards David Beckham His Miami Expansion Franchise at Last
What began four years ago finally appears to have hit the finish line on Monday.
David Beckham and his partners have been awarded an MLS expansion team in Miami after years of setbacks, hurdles and uncertainty. Beckham, Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure and MLS commissioner Don Garber were among the dignitaries at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, where the league confirmed the bid.
The event came nearly four years to the day that the league and Beckham announced plans for a franchise in the city. The club was always contingent on a plan to build a soccer-specific stadium, and after multiple sites fell through, it appears that Beckham and his group have a location in the Overtown neighborhood of the city.
Garber and Beckham shared the stage again for another press conference to announce the new franchise. You can watch it below:
A Miami MLS franchise is the second in MLS history. The Miami Fusion began play in the league in 1998 but were contracted soon after in 2001. The league's footprint in the Southeast has grown considerably in the last few years, with the addition of Orlando City SC and Atlanta United. Nashville will be joining the league as well after being granted an expansion team in December.
The team name, start date, colors and logo were not unveiled on Monday and will be in the future, according to a league announcement. The Miami Herald reports that the team will start play in 2020 at a temporary venue before moving to its new stadium in 2021.
