David Beckham was celebrating last night after his MLS franchise plans were finally given the green light. But the doubters were left with more questions than answers.
The former England captain talked emotionally at a glitzy press conference about becoming the owner of a team he hopes to help become ‘one of the best in the world’.
A video flashed good luck messages from the likes of Usain Bolt and Neymar, but the confirmation that a team in Miami will become the 25th franchise and begin playing in 2020 failed to highlight a number of issues which have dogged the plans ever since it was announced in February 2014.
David Beckham has officially launched his MLS franchise after years of waiting to take charge of a club in the United States
In front of a packed news conference which included 300 fans, Beckham’s Miami franchise was officially given the green light
Beckham enjoys his moment on stage during the announcement as he is joined by Marcelo Claure (left) Don Graber (second right) and Jose Mas (right)
No team name was announced and it wasn’t mentioned that the controversial stadium site in Overtown (a deprived part of downtown Miami) has left residents furious at the planned building of a 25,000 multi-purpose arena.
The problems had left the 42-year-old fearing the worst, particularly as legal action has been launched over the sale of the site.
‘It’s been painful at times,’ Beckham admitted.
However, he could hardly conceal his joy at finally sealing the deal and stressed his desire of creating an academy system that Miami would be proud of.
An emotional Beckham said: ‘I promised my son Brooklyn that I wouldn’t get emotional but it is going to be tough.
‘This is something that has been a dream for many years. I want to thank Mayor (Carlos) Gimenez and we talked about this, thanks for believing in us and for your support.
‘I joined the Galaxy in 2007 because I saw the potential in the league. I went from Real Madrid, a pretty big club, to a league that wasn’t fully established.
‘It was a big move but commissioner Don Garber explained where he wanted to take the league and I was in from day one.
‘I promise the team we will bring in will be one of the, if not the, best. There was only one city for me. Diversity, the culture, the weather, the beaches, the people. ‘
Fans and media gathered at the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts in Miami ahead of the announcement
Beckham wants to recreate the famous Class of ’92 at Old Trafford, but he ruled out appointing best friend Gary Neville.
He said: ‘My dream is to create an academy where we have a hotbed of talent and bring kids through just like we did at United.
‘That’s where my experience comes in. I understand the academies where you save money and where you bring these talented kids through.
‘Is Gary Neville in my mindset? No. He talks too much.’
When Beckham, 42, first announced his intentions on February 5th 2014 to bring MLS soccer back to South Florida following the Miami Fusion’s demise 17 years ago, not even the most pessimistic of observers thought so much time would pass before his plans came to fruition.
A number of failed attempts to find a suitable site for a soccer specific 25,000-capacity stadium held back plans while local politicians, wary of the backlash from Miami residents following the controversy of building the unpopular Marlins Park baseball arena — which will ultimately cost the taxpayer in excess of $2 billion — dragged their feet.
But with Miami Beckham United (MBU) identifying a plot in Overtown, a neglected area of downtown Miami, and creating a locally based investment team thanks to the inclusion of Jorge and Jose Mas, the South Florida construction magnates, Garber was satisfied that every criteria was fulfilled.
Beckham added: ‘It was very difficult at times, we sat back at times and thought this dream would never happen.
‘But I don’t give up. Nothing in my career or life have been easy. I was told I would never play for England because I was too small and too skinny. I ended up having a good career but what I try to teach my children is the things get difficult at times, never give in, never give up.
Supporters gathered ahead of the official announcement on Monday afternoon, many wearing sky blue scarves
There was a sense of great excitement before the press conference when Beckham finally unveiled his plans
‘I had people say “let it go”. The fans just kept me going. They are the reason this is happening today. This isn’t just dream for us , but for the fans too and that’s the most important thing.
‘Our fans support has been relentless and that’s what our club will be built on. Something to be proud of.
‘I have had calls from so many players, top players saying, I am in. Yes we want to bring in top players from all over the world but we are most interested in home grown players. We want to build an academy, to bring players through, young kids from the area. To watch them develop as players. That’s when we will sit back and say “job done”. That we are proud of this time. We have to invest into the hotbed of talent in this city.
‘We didn’t have the right local partners, passion for the sport, city and people. After just 30 seconds of meeting the Mas brothers I knew this would happen.
‘People say this is a city built on dreams. Today you made my dreams come true.’
Building in Overtown has caused huge disquiet in the area with residents furious about the local government’s decision to erect a multi-purpose arena instead of investing in new housing and amenities.
Bruce Matheson, a wealthy activist who owns land near the Overtown site, has already seen a lawsuit levelled against Dade County following their $9m sale of one part of the former truck depot rejected by the courts.
Matheson firmly believes the lack of a bidding process makes the deal void while accusing politicians of failing to stand up for the taxpaying public.
Former Manchester United star Beckham promised in 2014 that he would build a club that would be ‘loved by millions’
He plans to appeal and although a result isn’t expected until June, protests against the decision will continue.
Garber added:’These are the days which warm our hearts and make us so proud. Great things come to those who wait and to the fans who have been sending me emails for 10 years and everyone involved, I thank you for your patience.
‘This is a historic day for Miami and soccer. It’s exploding in North America and MLS is driving the sport at all levels. Special things happen to those who persevere. That’s what happened when I first met David . He said I want to own a team and help grow the game in the US. He said Miami was the place where he wanted to do it.’
The delays have infuriated fans and Beckham’s team. Just 10 weeks before the initial 2014 announcement, Orlando City were also granted a franchise and in the time elapsed since, a new 25,000 stadium, described by Garber as a ‘blueprint for the future’, has been built.
Orlando have just completed their third season in MLS and have a burgeoning fan base.
This was the first time Beckham has appeared before the media in Miami since 2014 when all the talk was of a sparkling, hi-tech arena in the port area of the city.
Those plans were quickly rejected by the cruise industry while new moves to build next to Marlins Park also failed to materialise ensuring the three times MBU went public with their proposals, nothing came to pass.
Beckham has been working towards an opportunity to be part of an MLS franchise ever since retiring as a footballer
A new team in Los Angeles — LAFC — will make their MLS bow next season while last month, Nashville became the 24th franchise. Cincinnati, Sacramento and Detroit are all in the hunt to join Miami and become the 26th of an ever-expanding League.
As MLS has doubled in size during the last decade and added three clubs in Canada, the popularity of soccer has reached an all-time high in North America.
A recent Gallup poll stated that soccer ranks second in popularity as a spectator sport among people 18-34 (tied with basketball) in the US, behind only American Football.
The NFL monster will never be overtaken but don’t underestimate Beckham’s influence in helping the game grow here even faster than before.
Beckham, 42, is a big name in the States after playing for Los Angleles Galaxy in MLS between 2007 and 2012