David Beckham
Soccer legend David Beckham has the backing of Major League Soccer as he pushes to bring a new team to Miami.
MLS commissioner Don Garber confirmed that the league supports Beckham’s efforts to launch an expansion team in South Florida, the Sun-Sentinel reported. Beckham made another visit to the region last week to look at potential stadium locations. He has a $25 million option to buy a new MLS team that expires at the end of 2013.
Beckham’s chances for a Miami-based squad increased after Miami Heat superstar LeBron James acknowledged interest in getting involved as an investor.
South Florida’s previous attempt at MLS was the Fort Lauderdale-based Miami Fusion, which ran out of money and folded in 2001. [Sun-Sentinel] — Eric Kalis