MLS Denies Beckham Rumors

MLS has denied suggestions that former Manchester United star David Beckham is set to scupper his plans to open a new franchise in Miami and instead take over Chivas USA. Beckham’s plans to start new franchise in Miami has been hit by protests against the stadium plans. Even though the 38-year-old announced that he plans to put his money into the stadium rather than depend upon the money from the council for this new stadium, the proposed location of this arena has been met with a lot of criticism. Beckham has chosen one of the hottest locations in the world – Miami beachfront – to build his new stadium.

As a result, there have been suggestions that he could end plans to start this franchise and instead focus on buying an existing franchise like Chivas USA. Yahoo reporters suggested that Beckham had met with a couple of Chinese and Asian investors, who would be partnering him with this bid. Beckham’s group recently submitted a second offer to the Miami council in the hope of starting work on the new stadium, but this has also been rejected. MLS Commissioner Don Garber recently appeared to hint that the franchise was back at square one, which may lead to plans of it being dropped.

MLS president Mark Abbott, though, dismissed rumours about Beckham buying into Chivas USA. “I don’t know where that report came from. There’s no discussion about that right now. The league is not engaged in this conversation with [Beckham’s group] about Chiva,” said MLS president. Beckham had agreed a clause in his contract, when he moved to LA Galaxy in 2007, and it would enable him to setup a MLS franchise for a fraction of the cost. The franchise in Miami would cost the former Real Madrid superstar more than £ 15 million.