David Beckham needs public support to realize his dream of bringing Major League Soccer to Miami, so, on Monday, he did what he does best: He created buzz.
Beckham’s ownership group released details and artists’ renderings of a new soccer stadium he wants to build in downtown Miami. The Miami Herald reports the stadium would have a capacity of 20,000 to 25,000 seats and boast spectacular views of the Miami skyline.
“We think it’s time to share our vision,” said John Alschuler, Beckham’s real estate adviser. “Let’s have a full, vigorous public debate about it. We feel a stadium downtown can be a key contributor to the revival of a great city. David loves what it’s becoming, and much of that energy is downtown.”
Beckham hopes to build the privately financed stadium on the waterfront of Dodge Island in PortMiami. However, Royal Caribbean Cruises is opposing Beckham’s plan, saying it would hinder operations and efforts to expand its headquarters.
Beckham will consider three other sites if he fails to secure permission to build in PortMiami, but the plan his group revealed Monday is the preferred option.
“We have a chance to do something special,” Alschuler said. “It can be one of the great stadiums.”
Beckham’s plan to launch an MLS expansion team in Miami is contingent on his group building a new stadium. The former England captain reportedly hopes the team can start playing by 2017.
Check out a couple of images below.
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[tweet https://twitter.com/TotalMLS/status/448077715485102081 align=’center’]
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