Beckham: I will lure stars to Miami
England great unveils plans for own MLS team
FORMER England captain David Beckham has vowed to make a success of plans to set up his own football team in Miami, despite previous attempts to establish a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise in the Florida city ending in failure.
Beckham, who retired from playing last year, said yesterday he believes his unrivalled profile will help him to attract “the best” players and turn his as yet unnamed side into a “global team” with international clout.
Miami Fusion, the original MLS outfit based in the city, folded in 2001 after just four seasons amid meagre attendances and the lowest revenue in the league. The same fate befell Florida’s only other dalliance with soccer, Tampa Bay Mutiny.
But Beckham, who has been joined in the project to varying degrees by local technology mogul Marcelo Claure, Miami Heat basketball superstar LeBron James and showbiz impresario Simon Fuller, believes his own X-factor can ensure success this time around.
“I know this city is ready for soccer, football, and this is going to be successful,” he said, confirming his purchase of the franchise, which is due to start competing in 2016 or 2017. “I know there was a team 10 years ago which folded. I wanted to create a team that can be very personal. I want to make it my own team. We are very excited, Miami is a vibrant city with a lot of passion.”
Beckham, 38, is confident his fame and experience at the world’s biggest clubs – Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain – will enable him to lure big names to a league still considered some way behind its European counterparts.
“It would be disrespectful to say what players I want in the team, but we have a list of players,” he added, fuelling speculation he may aim for top names such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. “I’ve been fortunate to play with some of the best players in the world and some of them are calling me up to ask me when Miami is happening.”
London-born Beckham has exercised an option to buy an MLS franchise for a knock-down $25m (£15m) that was included in his contract with LA Galaxy when he joined in 2007. By comparison, Manchester City are thought to have paid $100m last year for the right to establish New York City FC, who are due to start playing in 2015 and are set to be in the same Eastern Conference division as the former United star’s team. Those additions, plus that of Orlando City in 2015, will swell the MLS to 22 teams.
Beckham’s group must still fund the construction of a new stadium, with a site by the port thought to be the favoured option. The former midfielder, who has amassed an estimated £165m fortune through numerous endorsements, could become richer if his Miami team live up to his lofty hopes. Seattle Sounders, rated the most valuable team in MLS by Forbes magazine, cost $30m to buy the franchise in 2009 and are now considered to be worth $175m.
$25m Price Beckham is paying for Miami franchise
4Seasons lasted by previous Miami MLS team
2016 Earliest year Beckham’s team likely to enter MLS
583% Return on $30m set-up cost Seattle Sounders could fetch if sold
£165m Beckham’s estimated wealth
And he’s not only big name involved
MARCELO CLAURE
Mobile tech mogul Claure, 43, is thought to be one of the key figures in the project.
The Bolivian-born Brightstar Corp boss has money to invest and used to work for his country’s football federation. Latin pop star Jennifer Lopez was the star turn at his 40th birthday party.
TOTAL WEALTH £580m
SIMON FULLER
The American Idol creator is Beckham’s long-time advisor and is believed to have a financial stake in the venture. The British showbiz guru started in the music industry but now counts Andy Murray, Lewis Hamilton and Bradley Wiggins among his clients.
TOTAL WEALTH £375m
LEBRON JAMES
Miami Heat basketball star had talks with Beckham about setting up the franchise last year, though the extent of his involvement is unclear. James is a big football fan and holds shares in Liverpool, which he bought in 2011. Estimated to have earned $60m in 2013.
TOTAL WEALTH £75m+