Wednesday, 30th October, 2013
David Beckham's plans to open a franchise in Major League Soccer have identified Miami as "a strong option" to set up base in.
Beckham, who retired from football after a spell at Paris Saint-Germain, spent nearly six years contracted with LA Galaxy, winning back-to-back titles with the team.
He is believed to have had a clause in his contract that allows him to set up an MLS franchise and the former Manchester United star could have his heart set on South Florida.
A statement from Beckham's management group XIX Entertainment, quoted by the Miami Herald, read: "We are not ready to announce anything yet, but Miami remains a strong option for us."
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Beckham is understood to be familiar with the area in Miami, which used to claim Miami Fusion as an MLS side between 1998 and 2001, but who played their games in Fort Lauderdale, nearly 40km north of Miami.
Beckham will need plenty of corporate backing to be able to bring the idea to the MLS board of directors, but the signs so far have been positive.
"We are continuing our discussions with David Beckham regarding future ownership of an MLS expansion team, and we are monitoring the situation", MLS spokesman Dan Courtemanche said.
"He has not made any formal presentation yet. He has not met with our board.
"Our policy regarding discussions with potential expansion team owners is that we keep those conversations private until the individuals we are speaking with decide they want to go public with their plans."
The MLS currently comprises 19 teams, though Manchester City have teamed up with the New York Yankees baseball team to introduce New York City FC for the 2015 season.
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