Beckham to buy MLS franchise

David Beckham has selected Miami as the city where he intends to set up a Major League Soccer franchise, according to Sky sources.

 

While a deal to complete Beckham's move into ownership is yet to be agreed, it is understood the former England captain has named Miami as his final choice.

 

He has an option to buy a franchise for £15m, although he will face competition from around the world if he is to realise his ambition of owning an MLS club.

 

The option to buy a franchise was included in Beckham's original MLS contract back in 2007, but he will face competition from up to 12 investor groups who have also registered an interest in setting up an expansion team.

 

It is understood that should Beckham win the race to set up a team in Miami,  he could then look to sell it to potential investors for almost treble the discounted £15m asking price.

 

That figure is a quarter of the price Manchester City paid, in partnership with the New York Yankees, to launch New York City FC from 2015.

 

Florida has had no top-flight team since 2001, when the Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny last operated.

 

Beckham has been expected to launch an MLS franchise since ending his five-year stay at LA Galaxy last December.

 

The 38-year-old then retired from the game completely, following a brief stint at Paris St Germain, at the end of last season and was reportedly in the US earlier this year to size up potential locations.

 

At present the MLS consists of 19 franchises, but there are plans to expand it to 24 by 2020.

 

- SkySports