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MLS expected to approve Beckham’s Miami soccer franchise by September
Some owners were critical of the discounted $25M expansion fee Beckham will benefit from
David Beckham didn’t receive the approval he was expecting for his Miami soccer franchise on Wednesday, but Major League Soccer is expected to approve a franchise deal later this summer.
Beckham pitched MLS owners his stadium plan and partnership structure in Chicago this week. Some owners were critical of the discounted $25 million expansion fee he will benefit from, which pales in comparison the $150 the soccer league now requires, according to the Miami Herald.
Beckham, a minority partner in his proposed franchise, is expected to finalize the deal that has been years in the making between August and September. Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly would be the majority owner.
The soccer star is still missing zoning approval for his $400 million, 25,000-seat stadium proposed for Overtown. He and his investors, Miami Beckham United, also have until Sept. 10 to put a $450,000 down payment on the remaining puzzle piece: a 3-acre site owned by Miami-Dade County.
Last month, wealthy Miami landowner and activist Bruce Matheson filed a lawsuit last week against the county over the planned $3 million land sale. [Miami Herald] – Katherine Kallergis