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