Beckham’s stadium clashes with PortMiami plan

PortMiami and David Beckham
PortMiami and David Beckham

Since the possibility of David Beckham bringing a Major League Soccer franchise to Miami emerged, PortMiami has been offered up as the likeliest setting for a stadium.

But Beckham’s stadium might not be the elixir for the financially-challenged seaport, which has debt escalating toward $1 billion. The potential 9-acre stadium site at the southwest corner of PortMiami is part of a larger plan for a trade and tourism center that could bring up to 7 million square feet in commercial space to the seaport, the Miami Herald reported. The proposal has faced significant opposition from Miami’s commercial real estate sector.

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Moody’s downgraded PortMiami’s credit rating last fall. The seaport would hand over about 25 percent of the potential commercial development site if Miami-Dade County officials finalize a stadium deal with Beckham’s investment group there.

“The conversation about soccer has never been just about soccer,” Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez told the Herald. “If a stadium can be a catalyst to development, we’re interested.” [Miami Herald]Eric Kalis