The City of Miami and a group headed by David Beckham have reportedly agreed in principle on a proposed plan to build a privately financed MLS stadium next to Marlins Park. Miami and Bechham's group received the OK after architects determined there would be no need to alter roadways around the stadium site.
Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado announced the tentative deal at a news conference Friday after speaking with Beckham's partner Marcelo Claure via a video meeting. The deal does not include any mention of teaming with the Miami Hurricanes or adding them as a tenant in the future, but talks are still expected to happen between the parties. The Hurricanes, however, are extremely unlikely to be interested in playing in a traditional MLS stadium that houses no more than 30,000 fans.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting Mayor Regalado told the group that "this is a milestone," for the City of Miami.
Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado had in the past mentioned an underused boat slip just north of AmericanAirlines Arena, but those plans never got off the ground. Eventually the area next to Marlins Park seemed like the most logical option for all parties involved.
The proposed new plan would house Beckham's MLS team next to Marlins Park, land, of course, where the Orange Bowl once sat. While complete details have yet to be released — making fans still a tad skeptical this is real life — soccer fans in Miami are expressing their elation on social media about the prospect that Beckham and the city have finally figured this thing out.
Finally!!!! #MLSMiami ?? https://t.co/sqEA5fkQUB
— Denis™ (@deniscruz_) July 17, 2015
@Southern_Legion @UncleEd69 Mayor step forward today on getting our #MlsMiami the hard work starts to pay off. Congrats. Let's do this!!!
— Yatsuney Perez (@WOSfanatic) July 17, 2015
Finally the mls is coming to Miami
— Santi?? (@sgarces10_) July 17, 2015
Bang the pots and pans #MiamiHeat, we are getting an #MLS team, thanks to #Beckham and @Southern_Legion!!
— Drew (@AnDon5423) July 17, 2015
Beckham's group agrees to build new MLS stadium next to Marlins Park!!!!!!! #Miami
— Santiago Villaronga (@SantiVillaronga) July 17, 2015
Miami is going to have an MLS TEAM! Future season ticket holder over here!
— Mauricio Gonzalez (@Maurzlol) July 17, 2015
Dream come true. A soccer stadium being built in Miami! Will be the first one there as soon as it opens @Miami_MLS
— felipe (@pipeLDA97) July 17, 2015
So excited about the MLS stadium in Miami. Now let's get a franchise on South Beach!
— Derek Helling (@dhellingsports) July 17, 2015
